The Aircraft and ANZAC Halls at the Australian War Memorial are especially built additions to the main War Memorial building to house the Memorial’s larger exhibits. Continue reading “Aircraft and ANZAC Halls – Australian War Memorial”
World War II at the Australian War Memorial
“Fellow Australians, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially, that in consequence of a persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war. No harder task can fall to the lot of a democratic leader than to make such an announcement.” Continue reading “World War II at the Australian War Memorial”
Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier
Pride of place in the Australian War Memorial’s beautiful and tranquil Hall of Memory goes to the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier.
The idea to entomb an unknown soldier in Australia was first put forward in the 1920s after Britain had interred its unknown soldier at Westminster Abbey and the French had done likewise at the Arc de Triomphe. The idea did not come to fruition until 1993 when the remains of an unknown Australian solder were brought home to this, his final resting place. Continue reading “Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier”
World War I at the Australian War Memorial
On 4 August 1914, the British Empire declared war on Germany and her allies and with that an enthusiastic Australia was at war. Within days white Australians were enlisting. Aboriginals were specifically barred from joining the newly federated Australia’s military forces though around 1,000 including Charles Blackman (picture 2) did mange to enlist. Continue reading “World War I at the Australian War Memorial”
Commemorative Courtyard and Roll of Honour
As you enter the Australian War Memorial, passing between two medieval stone lions that once stood at the gateway of the Menin road at Ypres, now Ieper, your eyes will be immediately drawn to the copper clad dome of the Hall of Memory wherein lies the Tomb of Australia’s Unknown Soldier. Continue reading “Commemorative Courtyard and Roll of Honour”
Australian War Memorial – Lest We Forget
This a summary and introductory review on the Australian War Memorial. On it you will find links to more detailed reviews on aspects of the memorial that I find particularly interesting (lots!) in addition to a little general comment.
“Here is their spirit, in the heart of the land they loved; and here we guard the record which they themselves made.” Charles Bean, 1948. Continue reading “Australian War Memorial – Lest We Forget”
The Corner House – Former KGB Building
While the infamous Corner House (on the corner of Brivibas iela and Stabu iela – Lenin and Friedrich Engels Streets in Soviet times) ceased to be a place of terror and repression when Latvia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 it was with some trepidation that I entered through the door on the corner of the building and picked up my ‘access pass’ from a counter just inside the entry. Continue reading “The Corner House – Former KGB Building”
National Capital Exhibition – Get Your Bearings
Having visited the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre next door, this is a great place to get your bearings and learn something of the story of the national capital through a combination of audio-visual displays, films, photographs and artefacts prior to going out and exploring. Continue reading “National Capital Exhibition – Get Your Bearings”
The Australian Museum
It had been a number of years since I had visited the Australian Museum but I was recently drawn back, attracted by the fact that it was hosting a special exhibition, Trailblazers, honouring Australia’s 50 greatest explorers and because I had a museum pass, bought on a recent trip to Melbourne, which gave me free entry to museum’s permanent galleries. Continue reading “The Australian Museum”
Questacon – Science In Action
Questacon, Australia’s National Science and Technology centre, is one of Canberra’s top attractions, much loved by children in particular though it offers plenty to stimulate the curiosity and interest of people of all ages. Continue reading “Questacon – Science In Action”
The Rambling Wombat 