Harvey Internment Camp Memorial Shrine

The Harvey Internment Camp Shrine is a popular tourist attraction and depicts an important part of Australia`s history.

At the beginning of World War Two, Mussolini and Hitler joined forces and declared war on Great Britain and France. As a result all German and Italian migrants living in the allied countries were categorised as enemy aliens, and subsequently interned in camps. One of these camps was situated in Harvey with about 1,000 internees.

One of the prisoners instigated the construction of an altar made of stone, depicting their Catholic faith. This shrine still stands today and was enclosed in a chapel in 1992. It is believed to be the only roadside shrine of its kind in Australia. Housed in the chapel are several sculptures and an `Australia Remembers` static display.

 

Category: Historical Sites and Heritage Locations