About UsArmy History Unit is a direct command unit of Army Headquarters (AHQ), under the control, for administration purposes, of the Chief of Staff AHQ. This page shows where we are, what we do and how we got here.
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| Museum History - In 1946 the Australian Army Southern Command gave authority for the formation of an Armoured Fighting Vehicle museum. This responsibility was taken by the Army School of the Australian Armoured Corps. The school retained vehicles of significance or variants as they went out of service or were offered to it. These vehicles were displayed around the Armoured Centre and the Puckapunyal Base Area. |
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In May 1970 the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) Tank Museum brought all these vehicles together and in 1985 the museum was moved to its current site in the new Hopkins Barracks. This barracks, named after Major General R.N.L Hopkins was officially opened on 31 October, 1985 by HRH The Prince of Wales, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. |
Major improvements have been made to the site including providing covered shelter to the vehicles on display and buildings to display small arms and Australian Light Horse memorabilia and displays. The museum now displays
over 70 armoured fighting vehicles with various histories and countries of origin. British, American, Canadian, Japanese, Iraqi, Russian, Chinese and German vehicles are on display as well as Australian
vehicles.
The Museum is also the home of many memorials to members of the Australian Light Horse and Armoured Corps who died both at war and in training. These can be seen in the Memorials section of this web site.
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The Museum's mission is to preserve, exhibit and interpret armoured vehicles, artefacts, icons and memorabilia in order to promote and commemorate Australia's Lighthorse and Armoured heritage.
The Museum continuously develops its exhibits, facilities and collection in order to be the principal establishment in Australia for the preservation and presentation of the Nation's Lighthorse and armoured heritage.
The Museum is:
- The premier collection of Australian Lighthorse and Armoured Heritage
- An excellent training facility for the Australian Army and the RAAC
- Widely regarded as a world-class military museum
- An important tourist location in the local region
The Museum is an integral part of today's Royal Australian Armoured Corps and displays historical artefacts to enhance the training and education in armoured vehicle technology and design for the Australian Army, as well as collecting and preserving the technical and doctrinal history of the RAAC and its predecessors. By the preservation of the RAAC Heritage, it is how the past is used to develop the future.
The following icons represent the current regiments of the RAAC as we move into the 21st century:
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(Click the image to see the full Regimental colours) |
The Museum's logo - The Royal Australian Armoured Corps Memorial and Tank Museum Logo celebrates Australia's armoured and mounted soldiers and units.
The soldier in the rear is representative of the men of the Australian Light
Horse.
The Australian Cruiser Tank mark 1 (known as the Sentinel) is the only tank ever to be designed and built in Australia. It was produced early during the Second World War when the supply of armoured vehicles from overseas was uncertain and we needed to quickly equip units training for war.
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How to find us - The museum is located on the Army base at Puckapunyal, just outside the Victorian town of Seymour, just one hour's drive north of Melbourne. As the base is a functioning military base all visitors must stop at the gatehouse and obtain a daypass (photo id will be necessary, see Entry Requirements listed below).
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Important note for visitors -
The museum is currently staffed by one full-time and two part-time serving personnel. Generally only one uniformed member is on duty at any given time. We are supported by a few volunteers who give freely of their time.
The museum opening hours to the public are based on the currently available manpower.
Sometimes, for operational Reasons, illness, staff leave or training, there will be a need to close the museum, possibly at short notice. We will endeavour to provide notice of any closure, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Therefore, if you are a visitor travelling a long distance especially to see the Collection, please contact us prior to your intended visit by Email, Facsimile or Phone to ensure that we will be open for your visit.
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Opening hours: |
The following Museum Hours are correct as at October 2011:
- Tuesday to Friday, 10am - 5pm
- Easter Saturday to Monday, 10am - 5pm
- Last weekend of each month 10am - 4pm
- Victorian State Public Holiday weekends (Sat-Mon) 10am-4pm
- Victorian School Holidays commencing on the first Sunday of the Holidays, 10am - 4pm
CLOSED - Good Friday, ANZAC Day (25 + 26 April),
4-19 August, Melbourne Cup and XMAS (17 Dec 2011 - 9 Jan 2012)
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Entry requirements: |
THE PUCKAPUNYAL MILITARY AREA (PMA) IS AN ACTIVE MILITARY BASE AND STRICT ACCESS CONTROL MEASURES ARE ENFORCED
All persons aged 16 and over must produce some form of official Government body photographic Identification before being allowed to proceed to the museum.
- Any ONE of the following forms of photographic identification are the only accepted identity cards that may be submitted as a form of positive identification
- A current valid photographic licence or permit issued by the Commonwealth, a State or Territory such as a drivers or shooters licence issued in Australia
- A current passport
- A current proof of age card, as issued by a Road Transport Authority
- Visitors will be provided with visitors Identity Card which must be worn at all times whilst in the PMA.
- Children under the age of 16 will need to be identified by the parent or guardians.
- Solid footwear must be worn when visiting the museum (no thongs)
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| Address: |
RAAC Memorial and Army Tank Museum
Hopkins Barracks
PUCKAPUNYAL VIC 3662
AUSTRALIA |
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Facilities: |
Include:
- Car and Coach parking
- BBQ area
- Model and souvenir shop
- Wheelchair Access
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Phone: |
03 5735 7285 |
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| Facsimile: |
03 5793 1735 |
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Email: |
raacatm@bigpond.net.au |
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website built 2003 by:
Comments about the website to the webmaster
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