Cowra Breakout Association

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 🔗 . .

25/01/2026

Congratulations to Rosemary Gower for her dedication to the Barmera community and for her years of research into the history of the WW2 Loveday Internment Camp.

A very well deserved award!

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1195656659347458&set=a.125366526376482

🏆 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 - 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿
Rosemary is widely known throughout Berri Barmera for her lifelong dedication to community service and the preservation of local history. A fifth generation Australian, she is the proud mother of her son Tony and daughter Yolande. Above all else, Rosemary has always believed in leading by example, raising her children to be kind, thoughtful and active contributors to their community.

Over the years, Rosemary has played a leading role in countless community events and organisations. She has co-ordinated major festivals including the Riverland Multicultural Festival, Riverland NO:RI Music Festival, Cobdogla Donkey Derby and the South Australian Country Music Festival. She also served as manager of the touring Riverland Raiders basketball team and chaired both the Riverland Independent Netball Association and Riverland Athletics Association. Rosemary served two terms on Berri Barmera Council, a role she particularly cherished, and was proud of the projects she helped initiate.

Her most significant achievement has been her nearly 40-year commitment to researching and preserving the history of the Loveday Internment Camp. Through tireless advocacy, Rosemary ensured this important wartime history remained in local hands, resulting in a permanent display at the Barmera Visitor Information Centre, a documentary featuring rare footage and lasting educational resources.

Through her work in tourism and journalism, Rosemary has been a passionate advocate for the Riverland. Now 80 years young, she continues to speak up for those without a voice, making her a truly deserving 2026 Citizen of the Year.

Community Breakfast and Award Ceremony
📅 Monday 26 January
⏰ 7.30am (free breakfast at 7.30am followed by civic ceremony at 8.15am)
📍 Berri riverfront (start near the Berri Visitor Information Centre)

09/12/2025

COWRA VOICES APP 🤳📱

Have you downloaded the Cowra Voices app? The Cowra Voices app is an audio-visual storytelling app about Cowra's unique history of peace and reconciliation.

Free to download, the app allows users to experience places of historic significance through stories narrated by members of the Cowra community; featuring stories of Wiradjuri Elders, personal histories of people buried at the Cowra Japanese War Cemetery, and local stories of grassroots peace-building, this app perfectly compliments information within the Cowra and Canowindra Visitor Guide and storyboards at each of the historical sites.

The Cowra Voices storytelling app was launched in August 2019 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Cowra Breakout. You can download the app on Google Play and the Apple App Store. . .
📸: Cowra Tourism Corporation

21/11/2025

What do an Australian guard, a Japanese baseball player, an Italian musician, and an Indonesian mother and child have in common?

You'll find silhouettes of each of them on a five-panel sculpture at the Cowra POW Camp. Designed by artist Wayne Miles for the 75th Anniversary of the Cowra Breakout in 1944, the five steel sheets, each measuring 2x4 metres, depict the lives of those housed in No. 12. Prisoner of War Camp.

“These four panels depict the aspects of the Cowra Prisoner of War Camp over its six-year life from 1941 to 1947 .. the Australian Soldier on guard, Japanese playing baseball, Italians and their love of music, and the Indonesian mothers and children. This relatively calm time was shattered in the early morning of the 5th August 1944. The Breakout resulted in the deaths of 234 Japanese and 5 Australians”

The memorial was supported by the Cowra Council, COWRA Lions Club Inc., Australian Lions Foundation, and Cowra Breakout Association . .
📸: Troy Park

18/11/2025

01/11/2025

14/10/2025

NOW SHOWING - CAPTIVES TO FREEDOM FIGHTERS: INDONESIANS IN COWRA 🖼️🗿

In partnership with the Cowra Regional Art Gallery, the Cowra Breakout Association proudly presents Captives to Freedom Fighters: Indonesians in Cowra and Beyond.

This exhibition traces the journey of Indonesian political prisoners from Boven-Digoel (formerly Dutch New Guinea) to Cowra, many of whom later became leaders in Indonesia’s fight for independence. It highlights culture and shared history, helping shape enduring ties between Indonesia and Australia.

📅 10 October to 16 November 2025
🕒 Tues – Sat, 10am – 4pm and Sun 10am – 2pm. Admission free.

🎤 OPENING EVENT AND TALK 6pm – 8pm, Friday 17 October 2025
✉️ RSVP - [email protected]

IMAGE: Old Man, circa 1960s, stone carving from Bali, Indonesia

16/09/2025

🕊Congratulations to the 2025 Cowra Youth Peace Award nominees! 🕊

The 2025 Cowra Youth Peace Award winner will be announced at the Rotary Club of Cowra’s World Peace Day Dinner on Thursday 18 September 2025 at Club Cowra.

Read more about the nominees here:
https://www.cowracouncil.com.au/News/Latest-News-and-Media-Releases/Recognising-Cowras-Young-Peace-Makers

04/09/2025

🟡Tea and scones - what's the significance behind tea and scones being served at the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre when Consul-General Yamanaka visited there after attending the 81st anniversary commemorations of the Cowra Breakout?

🟡Read the latest issue of "A record of exchange as Consul-General of Japan in Sydney" to find out!

👉English:https://www.sydney.au.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100914336.pdf
👉日本語:https://www.sydney.au.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100914345.pdf