Coinciding with the centenary of the Anzacs, the exhibition explores Bendigo’s own stories through text, objects and photographs. As with all Post Office Gallery exhibitions the objects are sourced from private and public collections, the majority of which are locally based. 

As a curator it is exciting to research and discover what is “out there”, especially when you come across gems that make for an even more interesting display. 

There are many fascinating items on display, but one collection that truly stands out is the group of silk postcards.

A unique war-time industry, silk embroidered postcards were created by French and Belgian women to sell as souvenirs to soldiers. Strips of silk organza were hand-embroidered by women and girls in their homes or in refugee camps. Later,  as demand increased, production was moved to factories. 

Soldiers bought the cards as mementos to send home to loved ones. 

Images found on the cards included flowers, birds, patriotic messages and symbols such as the flags of the allies. These beautiful greetings were sent home giving no indication of what the soldiers were experiencing, sparing mothers and wives from the true horrors of war. 

Given their delicacy, silk postcards are often very damaged. The silk has simply not survived the test of time. 

The image pictured here is of a collection of silk postcards written upon by three local brothers, Harold, Richard and Walter Smith. All three were killed in action. 

Thankfully, the cards are in good condition and belong to the collection of the Bendigo District RSL Military Museum.

During World War I the souvenir postcard trade was very popular with soldiers and their families. Relatives sent postcards to their sons  and “soldier boys” to boost their morale. For the families of soldiers back home, letters and postcards were the only method of communication with their loved ones. 

All post went through the censors, sometimes causing lengthy delays to post arriving.  Sometimes families would receive a postcard after they had been notified that their loved one had been killed in action.

Visit Post Office Gallery from 9am to 5pm daily to view these beautiful silk postcards, and many other remarkable objects before June 21. Entry is by donation.

Simone Bloomfield is curator of city history and collections at Bendigo Art Gallery.