Words from our Navy Veterans
Public program featuring the RAN veterans
Join us for an extraordinary panel discussion with some of the last surviving Second World War navy veterans. Meet Jim Paizis, David Manning, Norm Tame, Hiram Ristrom, Ray Leonard and Pamela Nicholls of the WRANS as they recount tales of their service. From taking part in the Battle of Coral Sea, surviving POW camps in South East Asia and decoding and encoding war-winning intelligence, these vets will reflect upon their time at sea.
Wednesday 9 August, midday
Shrine Auditorium
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72nd Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific (VP Day)
15 August, 10.30am
Wreath laying on the Forecourt
Victory in the Pacific Day is celebrated on 15 August. This date commemorates Japan’s acceptance of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender on 14 August 1945. For Australians, it meant that the Second World War was finally over.
Full list of ceremonies |
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Vietnam Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony
18 August, 11am
Wreath laying on the Forecourt
The Vietnam War was Australia’s longest military engagement of the 20th century. Almost 60,000 Australians fought in the war and more than 500 lost their lives. Originally known as Long Tan Day, Vietnam Veterans Day is commemorated on 18 August every year.
Full list of ceremonies |
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Shrine Monthly Memorial Service
24 August, 11.30am
Wreath laying on the Forecourt
In the month of August we commemorate the following events:
19 August 1914—Departure of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force; 6-17 August 1915—the August Offensive; 8 August 1916—Mouquet Farm; 13 August 1941—Formation of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS); and 9 August 1942—Loss of HMAS Canberra.
Full list of ceremonies |
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75th Anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign
26 August, 11am
Wreath laying on the Forecourt
The Kokoda Trail fighting was some of the most desperate and vicious encountered by Australian troops in the Second World War. This special wreath laying ceremony commemorates the 75th anniversary of this important campaign.
Full list of ceremonies |
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Talks and Events
Friends of the Shrine can attend public programs for free. General admission is $5 per person. Bookings essential. |
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Gimme Shelter
Tuesday 15 August, 6pm
Shrine Auditorium
Join Paul Field as he discusses his new release Gimme Shelter, a collection of stories of endurance, courage and survival told by returned members of the armed forces and other first respondents. Paul will be joined by Vietnam veteran Don Barnby and Paul Stewart, brother of Balibo Five journalist Tony Stewart.
Book now |
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Curator Talk: Nerves and Steel
Thursday 31 August, 1pm
Shrine Auditorium
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 newest exhibition.
Book now |
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The Mausoleum and Melbourne
Thursday 7 September, midday
Shrine Auditorium
Join Professor Gillian Shepherd and discover the ancient origins of our modern commemoration. The Shrine was inspired by classical architecture such as the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Although the Mausoleum did not house the war dead, its decoration depicts scenes of mythical combat throughout the ancient Greek world, particularly in Athens—where special arrangements were made for the commemoration of the war dead.
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Exhibitions
Entry to exhibitions is by donation. All proceeds support the Shrine Education Program. |
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The Soldiers’ XI
1 April 2017 – 1 April 2018
West Gallery, Galleries of Remembrance
Explore the conflicts in Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan from the unique
perspective of cricket. Sergeant H has played cricket on eleven
deployments with the Australian Army: to maintain team resilience, to
build rapport with locals and to de-stress after combat. Cricket once
even brought together allies and enemy. Visitors will discover eleven
bats each telling a story about war in the twenty-first century.
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Nerves and Steel: The Navy in the Pacific
22 July 2017 – 29 July 2018
South Gallery, Galleries of Remembrance
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.
More information |
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Kokoda 1942 Australians in the Pacific War Series
The battle fought along the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea against the Japanese between July and November 1942 was one of the most significant in our history. The photographs and text in this book are a tribute to the thousands of soldiers who served and suffered for Australia in the jungles and mountains of Kokoda.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs Australians in the Pacific Warseries follows the events of several Pacific War campaigns throughout 1939-1945, covering details with clear insight and imagery easily understandable for all audiences.
Shop online or call 03 9661 8119 to order |
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Battle of Long Tan $5 Coin
Produced by the Royal Australian Mint, this stunning, uncirculated $5 coin was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, which occurred on 18 August 1966. This collector’s coin is set in a fold out card with details of the Battle of Long Tan, and has a mintage of only 15,000.
Shop online or call 03 9661 8119 |
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Royal Australian Navy Photo Frame
The collectible ‘Naked Army’ range features striking cold cast bronze figurines, portraying Australian soldiers from the First World War through to modern conflicts. This figurine measures 18 cm tall and is finished by hand, with superb attention to detail, and also features a frame for you to put your own photograph into. The frame will hold a 10 x 15 cm photograph, and can be placed vertically or horizontally depending on the picture. Comes complete with cherry wood base.
Shop online or call 03 9661 8119 to order |
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