Running Rabbits Military Museum is a community museum at the Upwey-Belgrave RSL, with military objects, photographs and displays tracing Australian service from the Boer War to more recent conflicts. Volunteer knowledge is a major part of the experience: the stories behind an object can be as revealing as the object itself. Visit during the museum’s short Thursday or Sunday opening windows, or arrange another time in advance.
A Volunteer Museum with a Kokoda Connection
The museum opened on Anzac Day in 2007 and its name recognises the Kokoda Campaign. The RSL describes a collection of more than 4,000 items, spanning early Australian service through to modern peacekeeping. That breadth gives visitors a way to connect familiar national stories with individual experiences and objects.
Its community character matters as much as its size. Ask the guides how an item reached the collection and what is known about its original owner; a local donation can open a more personal conversation than a broad summary of a campaign.
Objects, models and personal stories
The collection brings together equipment, weapons, documents and photographs. Rather than treating it as a row of unusual objects, look for the connection between an item, the person who used it and the circumstances in which it was carried. Everyday equipment can show the practical conditions of service in a way that a broad timeline cannot.
Models and dioramas help explain historical moments and place individual items in context. Some displays are interactive. Follow the museum’s instructions about what can be handled; an interactive element does not make every object available to touch. Allow time to read the labels as well as looking at the larger displays.
Getting more from the volunteer guides
The RSL highlights its guides’ knowledge of how items were manufactured, used and eventually added to the collection. Ask about a particular exhibit that catches your attention. A conversation about one object’s history often makes a small museum visit more memorable than trying to read every label in a hurry.
If you are visiting because of a family service connection, bring the details you already know, such as a name, unit and approximate dates. Explain your interest when arranging the visit. Research enquiries are different from a casual tour, and volunteers may need time to find material or suggest another collection. Do not expect a walk-in visit to resolve a family history question immediately.
School groups and visits with children
School groups are welcome, and volunteer-led group visits can be arranged ahead of time. Tell the museum the ages of the students, group size and topic being studied so that the visit can focus on relevant material. A small group with questions prepared will get more from the displays than a rushed circuit.
For a family visit, let children follow a manageable theme, such as uniforms, communication or transport. Military collections can also raise questions about injury, death and loss; adults should be ready to discuss the material in a way that suits the child’s age. Keep younger visitors supervised around collection items.
Opening hours, donation and location
Current museum hours are Thursday from 10am to noon and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Other times are by appointment. The museum’s hours are separate from RSL dining or club opening, so an open RSL does not guarantee access to the collection. A gold coin donation is requested for entry.
The address is 1 Mast Gully Road, Upwey, at the Upwey-Belgrave RSL. For a group tour or appointment, contact museum@upweybelgraversl.org.au or call the RSL on (03) 9754 3665. Leave about an hour for a general visit and longer if a guided discussion has been arranged. Confirm step-free access directly if that is essential for your group.
Running Rabbits Military Museum FAQs
What are the museum's opening hours?
The museum opens Thursday 10am-noon and Sunday 10am-2pm, with other times by appointment. Confirm before a special trip because volunteer availability can change, and do not use the club's longer dining hours as the collection timetable.
What does admission cost?
A gold coin donation is requested. Allow time for a volunteer conversation as well as viewing the exhibits, and ask about arrangements separately if bringing a school or organised group.
What can I see in the collection?
Objects, photographs, documents, equipment, models and dioramas cover service from the Boer War to later conflicts and peacekeeping. Follow instructions around interactive displays, since an invitation to handle one exhibit does not apply to the entire collection.
Why is it called Running Rabbits?
The name recognises soldiers associated with the Kokoda Campaign and reflects the museum's emphasis on remembering their courage. Ask the volunteers about the background during your visit, alongside the stories of the people represented by individual exhibits.
Can schools or groups arrange a guide?
Yes, volunteer-led group visits can be organised ahead of time. Give ages, numbers, the topic being studied and preferred dates so the museum can plan a relevant visit rather than expecting a guide to accommodate a large walk-in group.
Can volunteers help with a family history enquiry?
Explain the name, unit and approximate dates you already know when contacting the museum. Research needs time and may involve another collection, so arrange the enquiry separately instead of expecting a casual visit to resolve a service history immediately.
Where is the museum and how do I arrange another time?
It is at the Upwey-Belgrave RSL, 1 Mast Gully Road, Upwey. Email museum@upweybelgraversl.org.au or call the RSL on (03) 9754 3665 to discuss an appointment, group tour or access requirement before arriving.
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