Long overdue, a national Boer War memorial has finally taken its rightful place along with eleven other memorials on Anzac Parade. Continue reading “National Boer War Memorial”
Desert Mounted Corps Memorial
This was the first memorial to be erected on ANZAC Parade in 1968 – unveiled by Prime minister, John Gorton. Perhaps consequentially it lacks the symbolism of later additions to the Parade and is very much in the traditional mode of a piece of sculpture on a plinth. Continue reading “Desert Mounted Corps Memorial”
Australian National Korean War Memorial
A plaque within this memorial, on ANZAC Parade, provides a brief history of the Korean War and Australia’s involvement there-in. I reproduce that in full here for the interest of readers of this page. Continue reading “Australian National Korean War Memorial”
National Aboriginal War Memorial or Not?
Each year on ANZAC Day (25 April) thousands of veterans, serving personnel and members of the general public attend the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to remember those who have served and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for Australia in various wars and conflicts down the ages.
When the dawn service is over a small group of veterans and others make their way into the bush to a small clearing on the slopes of Mt Ainslie some 300 metres behind the War Memorial. Continue reading “National Aboriginal War Memorial or Not?”
War Memorial – Sculpture Garden
The Sculpture Garden found around the Australian War Memorial was established in January 1999 with the aim of offering a place for quiet contemplation of the sacrifice of the many Australians who have died in war. It does this very well. Continue reading “War Memorial – Sculpture Garden”
The Hall of Valour
The Hall of Valour, symbolically positioned directly underneath the resting place of the Unknown Soldier at the Australian War Memorial, “honours the deeds of ordinary Australians under the extraordinary conditions of war.” Continue reading “The Hall of Valour”
The Forgotten War (Korean War)
The ‘Conflicts 1945 to Today’ galleries at the Australian War Memorial commemorate Australia’s post WWII war and peace-keeping operations. The galleries cover Korea, Malaya and Indonesia, Vietnam, Afghanistan and the two Gulf Wars.
In this review I would like to go into a little more detail on what is often referred to as the ‘Forgotten War” – the Korean War. Continue reading “The Forgotten War (Korean War)”
‘Conflicts 1945 to Today’ Galleries
The ‘Conflicts 1945 to Today’ galleries at the Australian War Memorial commemorate Australia’s post WWII war and peace-keeping operations. The galleries cover Korea, Malaya and Indonesia, Vietnam, Afghanistan and the two Gulf Wars. Continue reading “‘Conflicts 1945 to Today’ Galleries”
Aircraft and ANZAC Halls – Australian War Memorial
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”
Menin Gate at Midnight
With such an amazing collection of war relics, artwork and other memorabilia the majority of which evoke, in the visitor, sad and dark memories from wars and conflicts (though many simultaneously create a sense of hope) it is hard to single out a favourite item at the Australian War Memorial. If I were forced to do so, this painting may indeed be it. Continue reading “Menin Gate at Midnight”
The Rambling Wombat 