Rats of Tobruk Association

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Rats of Tobruk Association

The Victorian Branch of the Rats of Tobruk Association was established in October 1945. Since 1956, its spiritual home has been Tobruk House in Albert Park.

In 2012, membership was extended to include descendants of Tobruk veterans and supporters.

16/08/2026

The Polish Independent Carpathian Brigade was formed in 1940 in French Syria, composed of Polish soldiers exiled after the invasion of Poland in 1939. Transported in seven convoys between 21 August and 28 August in 1941, the brigade began relieving some of the exhausted Australian troops.

After the war, Australian Rats of Tobruk supported efforts to bring Polish veterans to Australia as part of the country’s post-war migration program. When the first Poles arrived in 1947, Australian veterans met and welcomed them and within weeks the newcomers were participating in the activities of ROTA. This represented a renewal, on Australian soil, of relationships first forged between Polish and Australian soldiers during the siege. This relationship continues today.

The Shrine of Remembrance service commencing at 12 noon next Sunday August 23 will commemorate the arrival of the Carpathian Brigade in Tobruk. Tobruk House will also be open between 11.00am - 3.00pm.

12/08/2026

VX20578 of the 2/5th Field Ambulance wrote in his diary on July 31 1941, “Have been in this lousy hole for over 4 months. I wonder when we are going to be relieved?” By this stage, the troops' physical and mental health had begun to suffer as the siege dragged on and they had been defending Tobruk for much longer than had originally been planned.

On the night of 21 to 22 August 1941, Polish troops arrived in Tobruk by ship and began replacing some of the battle-weary Australian, British and Indian troops.

Your next opportunity to visit Tobruk House and discover more about the fascinating story of Tobruk, will be on Sunday, August 23, from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm.

On the same day, a commemorative service will be held at the Shrine of Remembrance at 12.00 noon.

07/08/2026

In August 1941, the Polish Independent Carpathian Brigade relieved some of the exhausted Australian troops, taking over the western sector of the Tobruk perimeter. The Brigade fought with great distinction for the remainder of the siege, earning a formidable reputation for its courage and determination.

To commemorate the arrival of these Polish troops in Tobruk 85 years ago, ROTA will be conducting a commemorative service at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance on Sunday August 23 commencing at 12.00pm. You are most welcome to join us.

Also, please don’t forget that Tobruk House at 44 Victoria Ave. Albert Park will again be open this Sunday, August 9 from 11.00-3.00pm.

28/07/2026

We were thrilled to welcome almost 200 visitors to Tobruk House on Sunday as part of the Open House Melbourne weekend. Some simply called in as they were passing by, while others had included Tobruk House on their list of places to visit. We were especially pleased to meet the many descendants eager to learn more about the story of the siege and of their own Rat of Tobruk. We are always pleased to help people with their research.

Whatever brought them through our doors, we hope that visitors left with a greater appreciation of the remarkable story of Tobruk. Many spent considerable time exploring our 85 for 85 exhibition of items and reading the permanent panels which have been on display in Tobruk House for several years now.

If you missed Sunday’s event, don't worry—Tobruk House will be open again in two weeks' time on Sunday, 9 August, from 11.00-3.00 and we look forward to welcoming you. (Our website and newsletter have all other dates listed from August 9 until November 15.)

22/07/2026

The launch of Long Journey Home, written by Katrina Kittel, at Tobruk House on Sunday was a wonderful afternoon, attended by around 70 people. Katrina was interviewed by her son, Aden, before answering questions from the audience.

Most of those present were descendants of Australian prisoners of war, making the occasion even more meaningful.

Of course, our doors are open once again this coming Sunday, July 26, as part of the prestigious Open House Melbourne program. Tobruk House will be open from 10am-4pm.

One of the exhibits you will see on loan from Paul Little AO and Jane Hansen AO.
No. 57 Collection of Ronald Barassi (1913 – 1941) The collection of Ron Barassi Sr relates to his service in the Second World War and his short but significant life as both an elite Australian rules footballer and a soldier. Barassi began his football career with Castlemaine before progressing to the Melbourne Football Club, where he played as a rover and made his VFL debut in 1936. His final match was the 1940 VFL Grand Final, which Melbourne won, with Barassi starting the game as 19th man.

Following the 1940 season, he enlisted in the Australian Army, as did several of his Melbourne teammates, and served in North Africa with the 7th Division Supply Column. He was killed in action at Tobruk in 1941, becoming the first VFL footballer to die in the Second World War. He is buried at the Tobruk War Cemetery in Libya alongside other Commonwealth servicemen.

12/07/2026

The achievements of the Rats of Tobruk have been celebrated in countless novels, books, films, and public memorials, yet there is often scant reference made to those Australians who became prisoners of war prior to and during the siege. It is a story which should not be overlooked.

If you would like to learn more of this somewhat untold story, why not consider coming along to Tobruk House (44 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park VIC) at 1.30pm next Sunday 19 July for the launch of Katrina Kittel’s book, Long Journey Home.

The book tells the compelling story of Allied prisoners of war in Italy during the Second World War. Of course, visitors will also have the opportunity to view our exhibition of 85 objects commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Siege of Tobruk.

This promises to be a memorable day of history, remembrance and storytelling.
(interview, questions, book signing, light afternoon tea and chats)

For Long Journey Home details, see Allen & Unwin (Aus & NZ):
https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Katrina-Kittel-Long-Journey-Home-9781761472701

05/07/2026

Last year, the Rats of Tobruk Association committee decided to apply to participate in Open House Melbourne, to showcase Tobruk House to a wider audience. We are delighted to announce that our application was successful and that Tobruk House is now part of this year's Open House Melbourne weekend program. Open House Melbourne is an annual event that gives the public free access to many of Melbourne's most interesting buildings, places and spaces that are not always open to visitors.

If you are yet to visit Tobruk House, then you will have the opportunity on Sunday July 26 (10am–4pm). We feel that this provides an excellent way to introduce new audiences to the association and its important role in preserving this unique chapter of Australia's military history.

Don't forget, we are also open next Sunday July 12 (11.am-3pm).

02/07/2026

Many thanks to everyone who attended Sunday's open day at Tobruk House.

Among the exhibits that particularly resonated with visitors were Exhibits 52 and 53, which tell the story of SX8897 Ivan Hare. Together, these items provide a reminder of the courage, endurance and sacrifice of the men who served at Tobruk.

52. Collection of Arthur ‘Ivan’ Hare MC (1908 – 1942)
Ivan Hare was 32 when he enlisted in Adelaide on 15 July 1940 and was posted to the 2/43rd Infantry Battalion, where he rose to the rank of captain. Recognised for his strong grasp of military tactics and his leadership under fire, he distinguished himself in action in Egypt during the Second World War. He was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous bravery during the attack on Huin Ridge and Point 33 on 17 July 1942, particularly for continuing to lead his company under intense enemy fire and returning to the forward area to rescue a wounded soldier. He was killed in action on 1 November 1942 and is buried at the El Alamein War Cemetery.

53. Letters and Diaries of Arthur ‘Ivan’ Hare - Ivan was a prolific letter writer whose wartime correspondence and diaries provide a detailed personal record of his service during the Second World War. Throughout his deployment with the 2/43rd Battalion, he regularly wrote home to his mother and father, maintaining close family connections despite the distance and pressures of active service. These letters, along with his personal diaries, document his experiences from enlistment in 1940 through training, overseas deployment, and frontline service in North Africa. His writings offer insight into both his professional development as an officer and his reflections on leadership, morale, and the realities of combat.

23/06/2026

“Tobruk was under siege for 242 days and seven months or so, and there is no way, no way on this earth, that Tobruk could’ve been held without the navy, both the British Navy and the Australian Navy.” - NX14800 Charles Cutler 2/17 Infantry Btn.

No. 17 in our exhibition, the collection of William ‘Bill’ Theodore DSM (1917 – 2007), comes to us on loan from the Bendigo Museum.

William Anthony Theodore was born in Bendigo and enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy at Port Melbourne on 2 September 1940. He served during the Second World War across multiple theatres, including the Siege of Tobruk, Greece, Crete, the Battle of Cape Matapan, Singapore, the Pacific Islands, New Guinea and the Philippines.

He served aboard HMAS Vendetta, which made 39 trips into Tobruk Harbour during the siege, delivering and evacuating troops and supplies under hazardous night-time conditions. For his wartime service he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

Following the war, he remained closely involved with veteran affairs and the Rats of Tobruk community. From 1956 to 1995 he held several leadership roles within the Bendigo Rats of Tobruk Association, including president, vice president, treasurer and welfare officer. In recognition of his long service to veterans, he was made a life member and awarded a certificate of appreciation.

Our next open day is this coming Sunday, June 28 from 11.00-3.00pm

17/06/2026

While ROTA has enjoyed showcasing our collection of Tobruk memorabilia over recent months, a display that will continue until November, we have also been delighted by visitors who have brought along their own treasured pieces of Tobruk history to share with us.

At our most recent open day, the family of VX22934 Joe Griffin of the 2/4 AGH generously donated a remarkable book of transcripts of his wartime diaries, which we were most grateful to receive.

The following excerpt from Joe’s diary, written in May 1941, provides a vivid first-hand account of the conditions endured by the defenders of Tobruk and offers a personal insight into the challenges they faced on a daily basis. Older than most recruits, his grit and determination had earned him a place as a medical orderly with the 2/4th.

“Air raid last night, 1900, 4 men crying, one fainted. I got them out of dug out after raid. It’s rotten, one crying on each shoulder: Took 4 for wash in sea today, they wouldn’t undress. Wanted to go shelter all time. 1700. Bombed hospital, beach mussed by 8 bombs. 300yds. Boys stood raid better. They will do anything for me now. They have confidence in me. Worst cases speak very low.”

Address

44-46 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park
Melbourne, VIC
3206

Telephone

+61432232502

Website

http://www.ratsoftobrukassociation.org.au/

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