The Society is developing a collection that will help us understand the military heritage of Queensland. Our Museum will tell stories based on themes, events, people or places, illustrated by items from our collections.

Our collection

The Queensland Military Historical Society mission includes promoting an understanding of Queensland’s military history, dating from 1824 to the present day. To deliver on this mission, we continue to develop a museum collection that portrays the military heritage of Queensland. We use this collection to exhibit and interpret historical and contemporary objects that portray Queensland military history, to bring the stories of our military past to our members, visitors and the Queensland community.

Our focus

Our focus is on Queensland related military objects under the following key themes:

  1. Imperial forces that served in Queensland;
  2. Colonial military and naval forces of Queensland;
  3. Australian Defence Force Units (Navy, Army and Air Force) based in Queensland
  4. Australian Defence Force units based outside of Queensland where there is a clear connection to Queensland in terms of history, operations, or co-operation;
  5. Military objects owned by, or connected to, Queensland Military Officers or highly decorated service persons
  6. Military objects relating to Allies of the colony of Queensland or the Commonwealth where the object has a direct relationship to Queensland
  7. Military objects relating to enemy forces of the colony of Queensland or the Commonwealth where the object has a direct relationship to Queensland

Our focus is on objects that have significance in terms of their link to Queensland’s military due to their association with a military event, campaign or person. While much of the collection is military equipment and armaments, the collection also includes uniforms, flags, papers, documents, maps, plans, photographs, and ephemera.

Weapons and firearms

The Society will not accept prohibited weapons. Firearms in our collection are of a military nature and of a type used by the Imperial forces, the Queensland colonial forces, the Australian Defence Forces, or against these forces by enemies in wars involving Queenslanders and Australians. All firearms are rendered inoperable.

Access and research

Our Exhibitions Curator selects objects suitable for display in the Museum, which is open to members and public free of charge. Items not currently on display may only be viewed by members and approved bona fide researchers by appointment. Items considered by the Curator to be fragile may have restricted viewing conditions imposed.

We also hold a significant collection of books, published editions, manuscripts and digital information resources, available to members for research on-site.

Donations

We are always grateful for offers of donation. We only collect objects that relate to the Society’s purpose and key collecting areas. Priority will be given to objects that may supplement collection areas the Society considers to be lacking in interpretation, quantity or quality. Priority is given to objects which are significant for their historic, aesthetic, research or social value.

The Society no longer accepts long-term loans of objects. We only loan material for short-term use as part of a temporary exhibition, where such material complements or enhances the objects in our collection. As a volunteer society, we do not have the resources to manage the storage and preservation of objects owned by a third party.

If you have objects you wish to donate, please complete the form below.