Survey Corps’ history on parade at Military Museum

AN exhibition that traces the history of the nearly 110-year-old Royal Australian Survey Corps (RASvy), including its half century residency at Fortuna Villa in Chum Street, is now showing at the Bendigo Military Museum.

Curated by the ExFortuna Survey Association, The Mapmakers: Charting Australia’s Defence, explores the contributions of military surveyors from WWI to 1996, the technological advancements that transformed military and civilian mapping, and the deep ties the Corps had with Fortuna.

ExFortuna Survey Association president and Museum volunteer Gary Warnest said the years at George Lansell’s magnificent former home were fantastic.

“It was just amazing,” he said. “The enthusiasm, the camaraderie, how strong the friendships and bonds were between people working there, the feeling that you were doing a job that was worthwhile.

“It was really interesting work, but things were changing all of the time and there were new challenges (as to) how we could do things better.”

He said the exhibition is an opportunity for the people of Bendigo to explore and discover something new.

“A lot of people knew that we were up there at Fortuna but had no idea about what we did,” he said.

“This exhibition helps tell that story.

“It also helps tell the story of how strong the connection between the Survey people and the community of Bendigo was.

“This is a great opportunity to just jump in and see that, because it’s not going to be here forever.”

The exhibition continues until Sunday 10 August at the Bendigo Military Museum in Pall Mall, which is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 11am to 3pm.

Tickets can be purchased at the door.