The City of South Perth Historical Society has appointed its youngest curator ever, 13-year-old Oliver Newman, to lead a new exhibition titled 'Mateship and War: Stories from South Perth'. The exhibition marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and opens to the public on November 2 at Heritage House.
The project is Oliver's first exhibition curation and the first time the Society has mentored a young person to head a major community initiative. The exhibition explores the lived experiences of South Perth residents during wartime, highlighting the Australian spirit of mateship.
Oliver said he wanted to show that even in hard times, people looked out for each other. 'It's not just about the battle and sacrifice – it's about the friendships, how the community stuck together and finding the positive and inspiring side of our war efforts,' he said.
Oliver was invited to curate the exhibition after his award-winning research on a secret Army camp that operated across Manning and Salter Point from 1942 to 1947. His discoveries earned him the 2025 Phillip Pendal Young Heritage Award and a shortlist for the 2026 Premier's ANZAC Student Tour.
Society president Anthea Harris said Oliver brought fresh eyes and remarkable insight to the project, proving that a passion for history knows no age. The exhibition will also accompany the world premiere of 'Mates', a play by the Old Mill Theatre inspired by a real-life wartime love story, showing from November 27 to December 13.
