Dunera Day celebrated with annual re-enactment

Brothers Harry, Bill and Archie Houston, alongside Archie Auldist (second from left), took part in the re-enactment of the arrival of inmates from the SS Dunera in Hay. All images: The Riverine Grazier / Margie McClelland.

By Krista Schade

Hay Railway Station was the scene for the annual Dunera Day celebrations and re-enactment performance.

The performance recreates the arrival of inmates to the Hay Internment Camp.

Volunteers actors dressed in period costume recreated the arrival of 1,984 internees.

It is an annual gathering held each September, of descendants and friends of the men who were transported to Australia during World War II from Great- Britain.

Those interned were of German, Austrian, Italian heritage and arrived in Australia on the ship HMT Dunera before being transported by rail to Hay.

The first internees arrived in Hay on Septmber 7, 1940, on four styeam train carriages.

They stayed in Hay until being transferred to a camp at Tatura (Victoria) in May 1941.