THE widow of Victoria Cross recipient Norman Holbrook has given her blessing to war medals belonging to her late husband remaining on loan to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The submarine hero's medals were originally handed over to the war memorial by Greater Hume Shire in 2009 on a six-year loan.
The agreement expired last month and the council at its most recent meeting extended the arrangement for a further five years.
Either party can terminate the agreement by providing one year's notice.
Gundula Holbrook, who turned 101 this week and lives in Austria, donated the medals to the town of Holbrook in 1982.
Greater Hume is the trustee of the medals which have been valued at $950,000.
The were viewed by thousands of visitors last year for the centenary of Commander Holbrook's daring exploits in the Dardanelles in December, 1914.
They were previously locked away in a bank vault.
The major medal collection includes the Victoria Cross,British War Medal, Victory Medal, Defence Medal, War Medal, George VI Coronation Medal, Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
The Holbrook Submarine Museum Committee recommended the medals stay in Canberra.
Insurance of the medals is the responsibility of the Australian War Memorial.
The council's tourism and promotions officer Kerrie Wise said in a report to council the benefits of loaning Commander Holbrook’s medals to the war memorial included specialised advice on cataloguing, archiving, restoration, preservation and appropriate storage and display of the collection.
"The collection is of considerable value and historic significance therefore significant importance is placed on its preservation," she said.
"The 100th anniversary of World War 1 has allowed the display of the medals within the Australian War Memorial in a prominent position.
"Thus generating significant exposure for the medals, the township of Holbrook including the Holbrook submarine museum and council."