A South Otago monument will be the focus of an Anzac project in New Caledonia.
The Balclutha war monument will provide the focal point for the project, which compares the effect of war on Balclutha with that on Noumea, New Caledonia's capital city.
New Caledonia University history lecturer Stephane Pannoux was selected by the university to compare New Zealand museum practice with that of Noumea.
South Otago Museum curator Gary Ross said the museum had had a longstanding relationship with Mrs Pannoux and when the opportunity arose in Noumea to compare the two countries through two monuments, she chose the Balclutha monument.
"Stephane has done extensive research on military cemeteries and monuments internationally. She has acknowledged our monument is a remarkable work and our soldiers have remarkable stories to tell," Mr Ross said.
After several meetings in Balclutha, three themes were selected to interpret the three figures on the monument.
Three families from the roll of honour were then chosen to represent the themes: O'Hara DCM (the soldier), Pennycook (hope) and Youngson (grief).
A variety of images, military archives, a transcript of the key speech from the 2011 Anzac commemorations in Balclutha, and books have been gathered together for the exhibition.
The next steps were to find a few missing pieces and get the draft text to Noumea, because the entire exhibition had to be translated into French, Mr Ross said.
Museum staff had made contact with a dozen descendants of the three families and the company that built the monument.
Staff were keen to hear from further descendants of the families.
Staff also sought information regarding the Balclutha Timber Company, circa 1911; and contacts for the family of A.D. Anderson, who designed the monument.
The wider community is invited to contact the museum regarding any connection or reflections on the Balclutha monument or World War 1 and its effect on the Clutha district.
The project is due to be released in New Caledonia in October to coincide with Noumea's heritage week.
