Calendar of Events

The 2017 Chief of Army History Conference will be held on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 October 2017 at the Ballroom, National Convention Centre, 31 Constitution Avenue, Canberra. The theme is The Skill of Adaptability: the Learning Curve in Contact. The conference will discuss, through historical examples, how armies learn while in contact with the […]

The National Vietnam Veterans Museum is proud to present two performances of The Man They Call The Banjo on Saturday 26 August at 2pm and 7pm. ‚ÄúLove. Politics. Mystery.‚Äù Experience the atmosphere of the Museum and see the musical that tells The Great Australian Love Story - the secret affair between Banjo Paterson and Christina […]

Fook Seng KWOK, High Commissioner, Republic of Singapore. Topic: South East Asia ‚Äì A Singaporean perspective.Mr Kwok Fook Seng assumed the post as High Commissioner to Australia on 8 August 2016. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in February 1995 and last served as Ambassador and Chief Negotiator for Climate Change (August 2014 to […]

Lieutenant General Sir Philip Chetwode wrote to Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel in October 1918: ‚ÄúYou have made history with a vengeance and your performance will be talked about and quoted long after many more bloody battles in France will have been almost forgotten‚Äù.   Registrations are open now, click here to book your seat. […]

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 […]

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

Elva Cunningham (Nee Dykes), after a lifetime of waiting, is very proud to invite you to the launch of her father‚Äôs WWI diaries: If ever you wanted to know what a soldier of the AIF had to endure in the First World War ‚Äì this will tell you! Sgt Thomas Arthur Dykes spent his war […]

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 - […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.  

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 […]