Sciencentre 
Discover The Courage of Ordinary Men: Three stories of the Victoria Cross
Bugden's 31st Battalion leaving for the Front, 1916. Bugden sailed on the troopship Seang Choon in September.
Image courtesy of Dr John Healy.
More than 416 000 Australians answered the call to fight for Australia during World War I. Patrick Bugden, Robert Beatham and Blair Wark were three men who answered that call and were sent on active duty. As recipients of the Victoria Cross, they share a common story, however their very different backgrounds help us to see them as a representative cross section of the many thousands of men who fought and in many cases died in World War 1.
Journeying from the shores of Australia, they travelled half way around the world to fight on the Western Front in France.
- View up close three priceless Victoria Crosses.
- Develop an appreciation of the lives of three ordinary but courageous men and learn about the brave deeds that led to their Victoria Cross citations.
- Imagine life for the Aussie Digger both in the trenches and away from the Front Line.
- Examine the evidence — written, photographic, and in the form of material objects — that tells the story. Look particularly at Paddy Bugden's letters and the picture they give, in his own words, of life at the Front.
- View original film footage and experience a sound and light show about life in the trenches on the Western Front.
- Reflect on Australia's role in a war that was far from our shores but very close to our hearts.
- Be reminded of the ways war is commemorated in our society by reflecting on the significance of Poppies.
Resources for students and teachers, including booking details, curriculum links and activities for students, are available, or you can visit Queensland Museum South Bank Learning for more information about our engaging range of programs.
