Cowra Breakout Association

05/08/2026

🪖 Thank you for this tribute RSL NSW.

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

Thank you Michael McCormack MP for sharing your reflections on today’s commemorations here in .

29/07/2026

PROGRAM OF EVENTS - 82nd Anniversary

The Cowra Breakout Association kindly invites you to the 82nd Anniversary of the Cowra Breakout on Wednesday 5th August 2026.

08.15-8.30am
Peace Bell Ceremony
Australian Chapter of the World Peace Bell Association - Cowra
📍104 Darling Street, Cowra NSW

08:45-9:15am
Remembrance Ceremony
📍Italian Memorial Cowra POW Campsite, Corner Evans Street and Sakura Avenue, Cowra NSW

10:00-10:45am
Official Wreath Laying Ceremonies
📍 Australian and Japanese War Cemeteries
Doncaster Drive, Cowra NSW
(Conducted by - Cowra RSL Sub-Branch)

For further information please contact:
Mr. Lawrance Ryan
Media Officer, Cowra Breakout Association
02 6341 3337 / 0408 639 088
[email protected]

Mr. Gordon Rolls
President, Cowra Breakout Association
02 6343 3214
[email protected]

29/07/2026

Cowra Prisoner of War Breakout – 82nd Anniversary Commemorations

Join us on Wednesday, 5 August as we commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the Cowra Prisoner of War Breakout and honour those who were impacted by this significant event in Australia's history.

🔔 Peace Bell Ceremony
8:15am
🌺 POW Camp Wreath Laying
8:45am
🌺 Official Wreath Laying Ceremony – Cowra War Cemeteries
10:00am

The community is warmly invited to attend these commemorative events and pay their respects.

For more information, please contact:
Lawrence Ryan – 0408 639 088
Gordon Rolls – (02) 6343 3214

26/07/2026

Have you experienced the Cowra POW Hologram?

Cowra Breakout Association member Stassi Austin shares why this moving 9-minute experience should be on every Cowra itinerary.

If you haven't seen it yet, it's a must-visit at the Cowra Visitor Information Centre.

Stassi Austin shares why the Cowra POW Hologram is an essential first stop for tourists on their visit to Cowra, NSW.

07/05/2026

Cowra's Koyo Matsuri (Autumn Leaves Festival) was held on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 May at the beautiful Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre, and Deputy Consul-General Yuichiro Nishida was delighted to attend!

The Matsuri included Children's Day events on the Friday for younger visitors and cultural activities on the Saturday, which took Greenery Day as its theme. There was even a kabuki performance by ANU Za Kabuki, the longest running kabuki troupe in the southern hemisphere.

This year's Koyo Oration was delivered by Ms Dianne Fitzpatrick, Acting President, National Federation of Australia-Japan Societies. Ahead of the oration, a Service of Respect was held at the Cowra War Cemeteries.

An official reception was held on Friday evening and the Deputy Consul-General took the opportunity in his speech to convey his "sincerest thanks to the people of Cowra and to all those involved for their ceaseless efforts which have contributed so much to the strong foundations of today’s Japan-Australia relationship."

Mr Nishida also viewed the photo exhibition "Unspoken Contributions" curated by Dr Tets Kimura (Flinders University). Running until Sunday 28 June, the exhibition is funded by the Australia-Japan Foundation (DFAT) and focuses on how Japanese migrants and diasporas contributed to Australia's modern nationhood building (1867-1946).

07/04/2026

THE COWRA BREAKOUT 🕊️

In the early hours of August 5, 1944, Cowra became the site of the largest POW breakout in modern history. More than 1,000 Japanese prisoners attempted a daring escape, choosing a su***de attack over the perceived disgrace of capture.

Despite the tragic loss of life; 234 Japanese and 5 Australians, this event planted the seeds for an enduring friendship between Cowra and Japan that flourishes today.

Explore our many historical sites at your leisure and immerse yourself in our history 🔗 . .