History of the collection since 1997. The Museum and collection were the show-pieces of the RAAHC. They aided the RAAHC to continue to serve the community by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting artillery weapons, technology, artefacts, icons and memorabilia in order to promote and commemorate Australia’s Artillery Heritage. During the 30-year evolution of the RAAHC and its predecessor the RAA Historical Society the collection comprised over 10, 000 objects, ranging from uniform buttons to large historical artillery guns and cannons.

Until 2010 the RAAHC’s collection was displayed in the Museum, which later in the period became the Australian Army Artillery Museum. The Museum’s operation was suspended in 2010 and in 2011 over three-quarters of the collection was moved to Victoria. A small display remained at North Head, helping the public interpret the defence of Sydney over the eras, which included 12 major artillery pieces on loan to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.  In November 2017 the Defence of Sydney display was closed and much of the collection that had remained at North Head was also moved to Victoria. The items moved to Victoria, conservatively valued at about $1 million, have now been given to the Commonwealth of Australia and are under the care of the Australian Army History Unit.  

The importance of the collection given to the Commonwealth of Australia

In 2008 an assessment of the RAAHC’s collection was conducted following the successful application for a Community Heritage Grant through the National Library of Australia. It resulted in the Collection being classified as:

Overall, the collection is of high to very high significance against almost all the relevant criteria. It is unique not only in Australia but also at an international level for its completeness and for the fact that much of the hardware and individuals represented within the collection have seen active service. Its significance will also increase over time as more material is added to it.

The current collection. The RAAHC now holds a much smaller collection, which is mostly focussed around the books, maps, periodicals and imagery contained in the Sir Roden Cutler VC Australian Artillery Research Centre (http://www.cutlerresearchcentre.com/) at North Head. The Company still owns a small amount of larger historical pieces, which are on loan to historical and philanthropic organisations. An example being that some of Sir Roden Cutler’s uniforms, medals and military accoutrements are on loan to NSW Government House as part of its own historical display. Two other notable items are the immaculately restored World War I 18 Pounder Gun (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-17/horse-drawn-wwi-18-pounder-gun-carriage-centenary/6127210) and a functioning World War II 150cm Searchlight.

The collection was only made possible through the support of individuals who have generously donated artefacts and the volunteers who have given thousands of hours of work restoring, cataloguing and presenting artefacts.

The RAAHC can still accept donations of Artillery reference material, like books, maps and photos. Unfortunately, the RAAHC can no longer accept donations of weapons, large items of equipment or uniforms. The RAAHC collection staff is available for advice on items of Artillery historical significance and can also advise people looking to “re-home” Artillery historical artefacts.

For further information regarding our collection please contact the Collection Officer.