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Taree- The Manning Valley Postcard

Date2006 - 2007

Object number00044928

NamePostcard

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 105 x 145 mm, 4.39 g

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Sea Power Centre Australia

Terms

DescriptionThis postcard was sent by the people of Manning Valley, Taree to Australian troops stationed in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO). It shows an aerial photograph of the Manning Valley region and was sent as a sign of support to the troops and their families. Australia's involvement in the Iraq war has been a contentious issue amongst the Australian public.HistoryThe Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) incorporates Operation SLIPPER and Operation CATALYST which have been undertaken by Australian Defence forces since 2005. Operation SLIPPER's main mission is to demonstrate Australia's commitment to the international coalition against terrorism. Operation CATALYST is the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq. Both of these missions are still currently in operation (2007). Manning Valley incorporates the town of Taree which is on the north coast of New South Wales. Taree is situated on the Manning River and is 317 kms north of Sydney with a population of 43,000. The town was settled by pioneering cedar cutters and then pastoralists. A number of public buildings, hotels and churches were built in the second half of the 19th century, but it was not until the completion of the railway in 1913 that Taree began to flourish as the centre of a prosperous rural district.SignificanceThis postcard demonstrates the support of Australian communities for troops serving overseas in the Australian Defence Force.