Calendar of Events

Curator Talk: Nerves and Steel

When Australians think of the war against Japan they usually reflect on the role of our soldiers in bloody actions at Malaya, New Guinea and Borneo. These land campaigns were however, only aspects of a much wider conflict, fought across the vast Pacific Ocean. Shrine Curator Neil Sharkey will present an exclusive talk on our […]

Kokoda

World Premiere The Spirit lives. All tickets at Tourist Information Centre, Hesse Street, Queenscliff $10 Per Adult - $5 for children over 12yo

Australian White Ensign 50th Anniversary Navy Ball

Navy Week Victoria - 2017 Australian White Ensign 50th Anniversary Navy Ball. Guest of honour will be Chief of Navy VADM Tim Barrett AO CSC RAN. All Service, ex-Service men & women, Mariners plus families and friends are encouraged to attend. Dress: Black Tie & miniatures Cost $155/pp Arrange a table, or go solo - […]

Polygon Wood – with Ross McMullin

One of the AIF‚Äôs iconic battles at the Western Front was Polygon Wood, where Australian soldiers turned looming defeat into stunning success. Yet perceptions of the operation have been flawed for decades. Come along and hear Ross McMullin explain why on the centenary of the battle. Royal United Services Institute of Victoria Lunchtime Address Thursday […]

In Their Time Of Need

Since the response to the influenza epidemic that ravaged the Pacific in 1918‚Äì19, the Australian military has provided overseas emergency relief after natural disasters. Join Australian War Memorial historian Steven Bullard as he explores a century of Australia‚Äôs efforts to help our neighbours. Presenter: Steven Bullard Date: Thursday 14 September, 6pm Cost: $5.00 (non-refundable if […]

Turning Disaster into Triumph – With Dr Ross McMullin

The battle of Polygon Wood has often been depicted as a relatively straightforward victory: the Australian infantry advanced behind an irresistible barrage that resembled a Gippsland bushfire, and there were inevitable casualties but no major hiccups. Dr Ross McMullin will explain why he thinks this interpretation is fundamentally flawed.  

Echoes of Conflict

Music has provided an evocative soundtrack to all major conflicts in the form of patriotic, emotional or protest songs to bugle calls and hymns in commemorative services. Since the First World War, classical compositions by Australian veterans have been rare. Join Vietnam veteran and classical composer Lachlan Wilson as he explores the history of music […]

‘Coming Home’ – an exhibition of veteran art and photography

Gordan Traill is the Veteran Peer Support Coordinator for Grief Work Uniting (GWU) and curator of ‚ÄòComing Home‚Äô ‚Äì an exhibition of art and photography by veterans.   ‚ÄòComing Home‚Äô 18‚Äì26 November 2017 Armadale Uniting Church 86A Kooyong Road, Armadale Vic 3143 Weekdays 11 am ‚Äì 3 pm Weekends 1 ‚Äì 4 pm

The ‘Blood Tub’: Australians at Bullecourt 1917 – Exhibition – Last weeks

In early 1917 Australian soldiers fought two battles at Bullecourt in France. So ferocious were they that Australian soldiers renamed the town ‚ÄòThe blood tub.‚Äô The first action fought on 11 April was a complete disaster, the second (3 ‚Äì 17 May) a hollow victory at best. German General Eric Ludendorff later wrote of the […]

Vietnam and Back – Lunch with Jim Archbold

James Stuart Archbold 3790920 was conscripted into the Army from the 1st Feb 1967. After basic training at Puckapunyal he was assigned to the Military Police and performed Corps duties at Abbotsford, completed an NCO‚ÄôS course at South Head. In late February 1968 was posted to Vietnam as a Military Policeman. Jim was flown to […]

Nerves and Steel: The Navy in the Pacific – Last weeks

A historical exploration of the naval battles in the Pacific during the Second World War. Discover the struggles and glory of the Allied forces against Japan's powerful navy and the role that the Royal Australian Navy played from December 1941 to September 1945 in securing the ultimate Allied Victory. The war in the Pacific was […]

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