The Kokoda memorial in the FTG National Park. Photo by Barbara Oehring.
Situated close to the 1000 Steps walk in the Ferntree Gully National Park, there is a military museum dedicated to the heroism of the men involved in the battles along the Kokoda Track.
The Running Rabbits Military Museum is part of the Upwey-Belgrave RSL and is located at 1 Mast Gully Road, Upwey at the rear of the RSL (behind 7 Eleven on Burwood Highway). The museum houses a large array of weapons, equipment and other memorabilia ranging from trench art, to an Australian Ikara Missile and Leopard Tank. Many of the displays are ‘hands on’ allowing visitors to touch and hold some of the exhibits. We have dioramas depicting the Landing at Gallipoli, Trench Warfare in World War One, War Graves display and our special exhibit of the Kokoda Campaign.
The Running Rabbits Museum has memorabilia from Australian conflicts from the Boer War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, peacekeeping roles and the current day. Present day uniforms and equipment are on display in the foyer of the RSL. The museum is run by volunteers from the RSL which provides the workforce to maintain it and to act as guides for tours. Research is available for personal histories and identification of items/medals of family members and unit histories.
This year we celebrated the fifteen year anniversary of the museum and pride ourselves as the only RSL museum registered with AGAMA (Museums Australia). We have provided displays for schools, libraries and homes to mark ANZAC Day, Vietnam Day and other significant military events. These are available on request.
The museum is open regularly on Thursdays and Sundays between 10:00am and 2:00pm and all visitors are welcome. We offer tours for schools, clubs/groups, scouts or individuals by arrangement at any time by agreement. For groups, morning tea and meals can also be arranged.
Entry is by gold coin donation and other donations are welcome. Contact can be made by email to upweybelgraversl@gmail.com or runningrabbitsmuseum@gmail.com or RSL phone 03 9754 3665.
