Residents and local communities in and around the Albury-Wodonga region are invited to be the first Australians to view the Australian Government’s “flagship” First World War commemorative event, the Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience, when it is on display in Wodonga in September.

The Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience is the key community event in the Government’s First World War commemorations and will visit 23 locations around Australia over the next 20 months – Wodonga is the first stop for this travelling exhibition.

The Australian Government, the Australian War Memorial and the Department of Defence, supported by the Commonwealth Bank and Telstra, are proud to be launching the Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience at the Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre from Friday 4 September to Thursday 10 September.

The Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience follows a timeline spanning from pre-war Australia to the present day, using a mix of arresting visuals, artefacts, audio and film to engage visitors.

Speaking on behalf of the Australian Government, Health Minister and Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, said the Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience is the flagship community event of the Australian Government’s Anzac Centenary national program.

“The long-term legacy of the national program is to leave an improved and broader understanding of Australia’s military experience, its impacts and its lessons to carry forward the Anzac spirit and values,” Ms Ley said.

“It is about allowing Australians to gain a greater understanding of the sacrifice and commitment of our forebears and it is fantastic that communities around the Albury-Wodonga region will have the first chance to be a part of this historic exhibition.”

Executive Director of the Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience, Brigadier Alison Creagh (Ret’d), said the exhibition, which includes more than 200 artefacts from the Australian War Memorial, will give Australians access to this important chapter in Australia’s history.

“From Gallipoli to the Western Front to the Middle East – Australians and New Zealanders were there – this is our story as a young nation which helped define the Australian character and spirit,” Brigadier Creagh said.

“We hope residents throughout southern NSW and north-east Victoria will take the opportunity to visit and see first-hand some of the action and at times devastation that the First World War wrought on all participants in various battles and campaigns.”

Entry to the Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience is FREE. To ensure visitors can enjoy the Experience, a pre-booked ticketing system will be used.

To book your tickets, please go to www.spiritofanzac.gov.au, visit the Cube Wodonga box office or call 1300 462 313.