ALEC and Joy Howard spent two years tracking down the photo of the first Australian soldier to die in the Pacific in World War II.
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It arrived just in time for the 75th anniversary of the Rathmines Air Force Base.
The photo of Sergeant Colin Burns Treloar is one of many treasures that will be on display at Rathmines on Parade.
The military-supported event will celebrate the flying boat base's 75th anniversary, and the centenary of Australia military aviation.
It will be held at Rathmines Community Hall and surrounding grounds on Saturday and Sunday, September 27 and 28.
Rathmines on Parade is a labour of love for Mr and Ms Howard.
They have spent countless hours over many years collecting memorabilia for the event.
Mr Howard said Rathmines on Parade was a military history buff's dream come true.
"This is a national event - we've had interest from all over the country," he said.
"Rathmines is obviously well known for the Catalinas but there is so much more to the base's history than just the flying boats."
Mr Howard created dozens of model airplanes, from the first airplane ever flown in Australia (the box glider) to the remote control drones that are being used in modern warfare.
"I made the box glider from a pencil sketch because that's all [the air force] would give me," Mr Howard laughed.
Alongside the models and rare memorabilia are the stories of men and women who were stationed at the base.
"Rathmines was used as a training base so we've collected the stories of the people who were trained here and extraordinary things they went on to do," Mr Howard said.
A book consisting of these stories, Rathmines Revisited, will be for sale at the event.
Other attractions include military working dogs, an air defence radar, interactive activities such as learning how to navigate by the stars, and live entertainment throughout the day.
■ Entry is $5; 12 years and under free. The event starts at 10am and goes to 5pm both days. For more information call 4975 1973.