Victory in the Pacific: 80th Anniversary

August 15th 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of 'Victory in the Pacific Day' - also known as VP Day - the official end of World War II. On this day Emperor Hirohito accepted the Allies’ terms and Japan surrendered, Germany had surrendered three months earlier. To commemorate this anniversary we are sharing some images and archives from our collection that highlight the impact that the war had on the home front, letters and correspondence from those serving, and local stories from during and after the war. 

The image above was taken on 15th August 1945 and is titled 'The day the war ended: celebrations at the Newcastle Manufacturing Fur Co'. The Newcastle Manufacturing Fur Co. was on the top floor of the building on the corner of Hunter and Thorn Streets, Newcastle. Woolworths was on the ground floor. A Mudge, tailor, was in room three on the first floor. At the back, where the parking station was later built, were rows of cement air-raid shelters. The employees in the photo were: Binnie Bains, Marie Enright, Mavis Parsons, Gloria Da Costa, Marjory Kelly, Gwen Wark (nee Julian), Les Dews, Betty Fean, Pearl Martin, Betty Robertson, Flora Pinkerton, Dorothy Osland.

View more of our wonderful images in our online exhibition, starting with The Home Front.