By Rebecca Skilton
Bernie Dingle has dedicated the greater part of the past three decades, commemorating wartime animals. Now, years after the opening of Mr Dingle’s Nar Nar Goon Light Horse and Field Artillery Museum, it is his own service to military history that’s being honoured.
“Can I get my glasses and read this for you?”
It’s mid-morning, the beginning of what is to be a breathless 24 degree summers day. Two Clydesdales graze side by side at the entrance of Bernie Dingle’s Nar Nar Goon property, set to greet anyone who enters the Light Horse and Field Artillery Museum.
Within the museum’s doors, Bernie stands before a replica of Fortunino Matania’s painting, ‘Goodbye Old Man’, the image depicting a soldier’s final goodbye to his wounded equine partner.
Complementing the renowned print is Henry Chappell’s poem, ‘A Soldier’s Kiss’, which Mr Dingle reverently recites:
“ … No honours wait him, medal, badge or star, though scarce could war a kindlier deed unfold; He bears within his breast, more precious far, beyond the gift of kings, a heart of gold … ”
“That’s hard for me,” Bernie finishes. “The artillery horses in the First World War … on average were lucky to see a life of three weeks. They died in their thousands most days, so I think with what we’ve done here, it’s been due for.”
What Bernie Dingle has done exactly is something utterly unique and completely astonishing, devoting the greater part of the last three decades to animals that would sometimes see less than three weeks of service during wartime.
To step inside the Light Horse Museum is to enter a time-warp, the authenticity of the exhibits shockingly realistic. Dedicated to the remembrance of the often forgotten utilisation of animals in war, the museum contains a vast range of artefacts including weaponry, field kitchens and catering equipment, pack animal transport equipment, as well as field pieces from Gallipoli, France and Belgium.
“There have always been animals used as man’s servant in war and peace,” Mr Dingle said. “I think we’ve paid homage to the soldiers and the nurses and the civilians that were stuck in the middle of all these things, but I think it’s been a long time since we’ve woken up to the service of the animals. They’ve been used and forgotten each time.”
From homing pigeons, to dogs, mules and horses, Mr Dingle’s collection is remarkably extensive, and yet, there is a story to go with each and every item.
“What I’ve been told over the past few years (is that) what’s in here is terrific, but it’s the stories that make it.”
And as most patrons would agree, those stories would fail to hold the same impact without Bernie’s dedication to the museum, and knowledge of each artefact which sits within its walls.
A coachmen and blacksmith by trade, Bernie and his family have maintained the museum for 30 years, his fascination with wartime artefacts beginning as a young boy. Connected to the museum is Bernie’s workshop, in which he has worked to restore and maintain a number of the museum’s exhibits.
“If it wasn’t for me and the old trade (coach builder and blacksmith), I wouldn’t be able to do this,” says Bernie, who has restored over 20 horse drawn transport vehicles used throughout wartime.
The Light Horse and Field Artillery Museum is unlike most museums – its artefacts and patron experience wholly unique. However, while Bernie admits that the museum has turned into something “he didn’t realise it was going to be”, the work has had its fair share of challenges.
In February 2014, the museum was ordered to make improvements on its occupational health and safety equipment, with the costs of the works a heavy hit on Bernie and his family. Two years later in 2016, Bernie was struck with a building order from the Cardinia Council, forcing the closure of the museum doors.
“It’s been a shocking 12 months for us as a family,” admits Bernie. “By stopping us from having patrons through, in a short time, we ran out of money.
“The worst part was sending patrons away … there have been tears with some families because they’ve brought their uncles and granddads and aunts up, and (in some cases) they’ve been pulled out of hospital to (visit) and I’ve had to turn them away.”
For Bernie, the lack of income from the museum trickled through his home life, confessing he was at wit’s end.
“We were looking at having three horses put down because they were old,” admits Bernie, stating that without the museum, the price of the property’s upkeep was taking its toll.
It was only through the support of organisations such as Hygain Equine Feed that the Dingles were able to scrape through.
“Hygain sponsored us for seven full months, we got a bit spoilt … they got us over the winter.”
“We’ve had some wonderful sponsors, and there’s been some very supportive people who have come out of the woodwork. They’ve been wonderful really.”
However, despite the scars that the previous year has left, Bernie is concentrating on the light at the end of the tunnel, looking forward to the museum’s reopening in the next few months.
“We will be opening full compliant, at a hell of a cost, but that’s fine … it will be pushed rather fast once things are ticked,” says Bernie, who is currently in the process of planning the future of the museum.
“We will be here (in Nar Nar Goon) until we’re ready to move.”
The outlook for 2017 is continuing to look promising for Bernie, who, on Australia Day, was announced a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for his service to military history.
“I’m very proud,” admits Bernie. “It’s something that will make me be able to do better with what we’re doing.“
“It will lift the direction for the museum and it’ll give it a bit of bolstering.”
While Bernie states that the medal comes as a complete surprise, he is adamant that its existence will fail to change who he is, or his dedication to the Light Horse Museum.
“There are some things in life that are very important, and I think there’s a time in your life… when you grow up a little bit, you need to think about what you can do,” says Bernie.
“You can’t be just a taker; you’ve got to be able to help, to do something. When you die at least you’ve done something… you’ve tried your best… well that’s all we’re trying to do.”
In order to raise awareness towards the Light Horse and Field Artillery Museum, a fund-raising luncheon for Mr Dingle will take place on Sunday 12 February at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, with tickets $55 per head.
For further information on the ‘Save the Light Horse and Field Artillery Museum luncheon’, contact the Cultural Centre on: 1300 887 624
To donate to the museum or for more information visit www.lighthorsemuseum.com.au
To support Bernie by ’Buying a Brick’, visit the Light Horse and Field Artillery Facebook Page or donate at: https://www.gofundme.com/lighthorse-field-artilery-museum-2vwenwbc
