Charles Darwin University will fulfill an important role in ensuring that the city of Darwin’s experience in World War II is never forgotten.
The University’s flagship public policy research centre, The Northern Institute, has been contracted to lead a project to develop web-based education resources to complement the new Defence of Darwin Experience.
The resources will relate to permanent exhibitions at East Point as well as the nine heritage sites featured in the smart phone application (http://www.defenceofdarwin.nt.gov.au/).
The Northern Institute’s Alicia Boyle said the Defence of Darwin Experience is a social history museum that focuses on the period 1932 to 1945 and tells the story of the military build up in Darwin before the war through to events that brought about its conclusion.
“We want to help ensure that the history of events leading up to and including the bombing of Darwin is preserved and presented for current and future generations to appreciate and understand.”
Ms Boyle said the project would draw on expertise from the Department of Education and Training, eminent historians, and from within CDU.
“Material will meet the requirements of the Australian Curriculum and be tailored for primary, middle and year 10 students although ultimately it will allow all Australian teachers and students to develop a better understanding of Darwin’s involvement in World War II,” she said.
“It will be developed to allow schools to self-manage site visits and be formatted for upload on to the Defence of Darwin Experience website by mid-year.”