The Wagga Wagga District and Historical Society has added its support to the Museum of the Riverina’s campaign to conserve the historic Kangaroo March Banner, donating $2000 towards the Museum’s $7500 conservation target.
The donation was presented at the Museum’s recent Remembering the ANZAC event where Collections Officer from the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney, Rebecca Jones, spoke about the ways museums and memorials preserve stories of wartime service.
Wagga Wagga District and Historical Society Vice President Mark Christison said conserving the banner within the community would help keep the region’s ANZAC history alive for future generations.
“In 1915, this nationally significant Kangaroo March banner served as a symbolic gathering point,” Mr Christison said.
“Its existence and conservation today at the Museum of the Riverina provides a gathering point for future generations to connect with, to learn about and learn from the past.”
Museum Manager Tim Kurylowicz said the donation was particularly meaningful coming from a local organisation dedicated to preserving and sharing the region’s history.
“We welcome this substantial contribution from our close partners at the Historical Society to the preservation of this nationally significant object,” Mr Kurylowicz said.
“The Kangaroo March Banner encapsulates Wagga Wagga’s significant contribution to Australia’s military campaigns and the lasting impacts at home and abroad.”
The banner was donated to the Museum earlier this year and needs urgent conservation work including cleaning and stabilising the banner, repairing and reattaching its tassels and providing a purpose-built storage box to help protect it into the future.
Community donations towards the $7500 target are still being accepted until Remembrance Day, 11 November 2026.
The Kangaroo March Banner is currently on public display at the Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens site during the lead-up to Remembrance Day, providing visitors with an opportunity to see the banner while the conservation appeal continues.
