17 February to 30 April 2010
Battle-weary and in poor health following the gruelling Guadalcanal campaign, the men of the First Marine Division, United States Marine Corps, spent nine months in Victoria during 1943.
This exhibition examined the moving story of the marines' 'friendly invasion' of Melbourne, where they found a 'home away from home' and developed enduring friendships with Australian women and families.
Drawing on oral interviews, letters and diaries, the exhibition challenged the myths and memories surrounding American servicemen in Australia during the Second World War as 'over-paid, over-sexed and over here'.
From foreign policy to hamburgers, with stirring stories of youthful love and loss, the marines' sojourn in Melbourne changed the city and its inhabitants forever.
Curated by Kate Darian-Smith and Rachel Jenzen
Kate Darian-Smith is professor of Australian studies and history in the Australian Centre at the University of Melbourne. Her publications on oral history, Australian society and war include the ground-breaking study titled
On the Home Front: Melbourne in Wartime 1939–1945 (2nd edn, 2009).
Rachel Jenzen completed her MA in history at the University of Melbourne in 2000 and worked as a research assistant and tutor while undertaking postgraduate study. She travelled extensively in the USA to research US marines in wartime Victoria, creating a substantial archive of letters, interviews, memoirs and photographs.
Over-paid, over-sexed and Over Here? was a partnership with University of Melbourne.
Download exhibition catalogue: Over-paid, over-sexed and over here? (PDF 475 KB)