Calendar of Events

The Association of Eastern Historical Societies presents - The Value of Local History – Into the Future 2024 Conference Saturday 29 June 2024 9am-5pm Lilydale Lakeside Conference Centre 1 Jarlo Drive, Lilydale Speakers include: Bryan Kalms- Keynote Richard Broome Anthony McAleer Rosalie Trioli Janice Newton John Peterson Graeme Davison Val Polley Patrick Ferry – NAA […]

This unique photographic exhibition unites two distinct groups of men separated by a century, connected by conflict and the art of photo montage. The first group comprises the men of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) who battled in Flanders during the Great War's most harrowing encounters. The second group consists of Belgian men engaged in […]

11 August 2023 to July 2024 From cherished toy soldiers and adventure comics to immersive cadet training and captivating computer games, children have long engaged in war-like activities that ignite their imagination and spirit.   Through these games, stories, and activities, they navigate a world that can often seem senseless, finding meaning and understanding within […]

Keynote Speaker-Historian Carl Johnson author of Mud Over Blood-Stories of the 39th Battalion-1941-1943. Click here to order your copy If you have trekked Kokoda, then the campsite of Templeton’s Crossing will be familiar. Discover the story of the man behind the name. Captain Sam Templeton was the first Australian Officer to be captured by the […]

Australian society of the early 20th Century had many potential fault lines. But upon the outbreak of war in August 1914, most of these disappeared from sight, as much of the nation threw its support behind the war effort. This was to be the case in Armidale in northern NSW. Yet, by 1918, this rural […]

Join us for this compelling documentary that uncovers a thrilling detective trail across Australia and Europe as experts connect families with the fallen of Fromelles. Almost 2000 Australian soldiers were killed in action or died of wounds at the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916. Over 90 years later, 250 of these men were discovered […]

The literature of the Battle of Fromelles 1916 Speaker: Major General (Ret’d) Michael O’Brien CSC, MDA, BSc (Mil) Australia’s disastrous Battle of Fromelles has generated a large volume of literature over the last 100 years. It has caused a riotous assembly in Bendigo and accusations of a coverup. Mike will review the writings from his […]

During the Summer Olympics, the Sir John Monash Centre invites you to attend a presentation on Sunday 28 July 2024, dedicated to the history of Australian Olympic athletes who served in the First World War. In Australia during the First World War, a major campaign to enlist sportsmen was fuelled by the strong belief that […]

A Public Lecture by Noel Phelan. This year we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944. Operation Overlord was the greatest amphibious assault in history, a crucial turning point of World War II, and a miracle of planning, logistics, coordination and supply. In this detailed lecture, Noel […]

Mr. James Rosenberg, Chairman of The Spirit of Australia Foundation, invites you to the annual General Sir John Monash Commemorative Service, to be held Thursday 8th August 2024, at 9.45 am. Following the service, we will host a Morning Tea from 11:15am to Midday. This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect, connect, and honour Sir […]

Annual Commemorative Event at Lemnos Square.   We have had many services over the years since the official unveiling in 2015. Many dignitaries from here and abroad have visited our Memorial and paid their respects, including the former Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros. He was present when then Councillor […]