What's happening at Zealaus Publishing
Updated: 2 days ago
The Spot the War Forgot – Talk & Exhibition at the Anzac Memorial
On Sunday, 8 November, the Anzac Memorial in Sydney hosted a special event celebrating one of Australia’s most remarkable and little‑known wartime stories — the Berrima German Internment Camp of World War I. Author and artist Wendy Hamilton was invited to present The Spot the War Forgot, sharing the extraordinary history behind her book and unveiling a collection of artworks inspired by life inside the camp.
A Forgotten Chapter of Australian History
When war broke out in 1914, German civilians and mariners living in Australia were interned in camps across the country. Among them were 89 German sailors who found themselves sent to the disused Berrima Gaol in the Southern Highlands. What could have been a bleak chapter instead became one of the most positive and humane stories of the Great War.
Under compassionate guards and with the cooperation of the local community, the internees transformed the abandoned prison and surrounding riverbanks into a thriving village of huts, gardens, workshops, and cultural life. They built boats, staged theatre productions, crafted toys, and created a peaceful environment that stood in stark contrast to the conflict raging overseas.
Wendy’s talk explored how Berrima became known as Australia’s “show camp”, a place where dignity and goodwill prevailed despite wartime suspicion and prejudice.
Artworks from the Camp
As part of the event, Wendy presented nine original artworks inspired by photographs taken between 1915 and 1919. These images offer a rare glimpse into daily life at Berrima — the huts, the river, the theatre, the camaraderie, and the resilience of the men who lived there.
The exhibition allowed visitors to step back in time and experience the camp through both historical record and artistic interpretation.
About Wendy Hamilton
Wendy Hamilton writes creative nonfiction that brings early colonial and wartime history to life. Her work focuses on stories that shaped Australia, New Zealand, and America from the 1600s through World War I. Her titles include:
The Spot the War Forgot
Fisher’s Ghost
A Rough Ride to Plymouth Plantation
Treachery and Trouble at Plymouth Plantation
Shipwrecks and Bush Felling
To Own a Fig Tree
Cain’s Killer
Alongside her writing, Wendy is an accomplished artist who has painted since childhood.
Event Details
Venue: Anzac Memorial Auditorium, Lower Ground Level Address: 126 Elizabeth Street, Sydney (Liverpool Street entrance) Duration: 1 hour Accessibility: Fully accessible venue with hearing loop available
Signed copies of The Spot the War Forgot were available through the Memorial Shop, giving attendees the opportunity to take home the story that inspired the exhibition.
Comments