Magnificent addition to Gallipoli Barracks watering hole

A room at Gallipoli Barracks now features a painting of a watering hole, in a tribute to the history of the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry).

CAPTION: Lance Corporal Jessica Haines-Hann in front of the mural she painted at the Gallipoli Barracks Sergeants’ Mess.

President of the mess committee Warrant Officer Class 1 Matthew Bold said the COVID-19 lockdown and the increasing number of online meetings led to the pool table in The Stables being removed so the space could be used as an education room.

As the room is being used more, WO1 Bold came up with the idea to have a mural painted on one of the walls to pay homage to 2/14LHR (QMI), which is based at Gallipoli Barracks.

He commissioned multimedia technician Lance Corporal Jessica Haines-Hann to airbrush a mural to represent the unit’s history.

Regimental Sergeant Major of 2/14LHR (QMI) Warrant Officer Class 1 Jamie Adams said military education for the unit used to take place far away from air-conditioned comfort.

“Military education originally was putting the horses into the lines, putting the pickets out and sitting around the campfire having a yarn about the day’s activities,” he said.

WO1 Adams had a photo of a scene from the past, which Lance Corporal Haines-Hann used for her mural.

“It’s a fantastic photo of the horses and the men from 1910 down at the watering hole at Holsworthy, and the watering hole made sense with the Gallipoli Barracks Sergeants’ Mess as well,” Lance Corporal Haines-Hann said.

It took Lance Corporal Haines-Hann two weeks to paint the mural.

“This is the biggest, most complex piece I have ever done, so it’s a nice portfolio piece and it has a little bit of historic significance as well,” she said.

“The mess committee president was fantastic to work for.

“Everyone has been really supportive and it’s quite an interesting piece for people.”

At the official unveiling of the mural, horse Max was led into The Stables and ate a carrot from the slouch hat of rider Jed Millen from the Queensland Mounted Infantry Historical Troop.

WO1 Adams said the revamped Stables room would be a popular fixture at the mess.

“I hope this becomes an education room not just for the light horse members of the brigade, but for the entire brigade,” WO1 Adams said.

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