Memorial News
65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
15 September 2005
The 65th anniversary of history’s most significant air battle, the Battle of Britain, was commemorated at the Australian War Memorial. The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the Honourable De Anne Kelly and the Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston joined veterans, including one who flew in the Battle of Britain, to pay tribute to those who were a part of this historic event. Representatives of Diplomatic Missions whose nationals fought in the Battle of Britain laid wreaths at the Stone of Remembrance. The ceremony concluded with a dramatic flyover by an Air Force Hawk Lead-in Fighter at 300 knots and 1000 feet.
At the Battle of Britain ceremony Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston met Michael Corzula, A RAF pilot from Poland who
flew Spitfires in the Battle of Britain
Last day for Chief of the Defence Force General Peter Cosgrove
1 July 2005
On his last day as Chief of the Defence Force General Peter Cosgrove chose to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as his final official duty. His family and staff accompanied him to the Memorial for the ceremony.
Danish Royal Visit
8 March 2005
Thousands of people gathered for a glimpse of the Danish royal couple Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary during their recent visit to the Australian War Memorial. After laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier and viewing the Memorial's galleries, the Crown Prince and Princess spent some time greeting the public.
Prince of Wales visits Memorial
5 March 2005
Prince Charles was in familiar company during his visit to the Australian War Memorial. The Prince of Wales met soldiers from the Royal Australian Armoured Corps and groups of veterans. The Prince expressed a keen interest in a new book about Quinn's Post written by the Memorial's Principal Historian, Dr Peter Stanley.
Sultan of Brunei visits Memorial
15 February 2005
The Sultan of Brunei showed a keen interest in the aircraft displayed during his recent visit to the Australian War Memorial. The Sultan is a qualified pilot and during his tour of the Memorial galleries displayed a detailed knowledge of Korean and Vietnam era fighter aircraft.
Major-General Clunies-Ross, His Majesty the Sultan
of Brunei,
and Major-General
Steve Gower.
Australia Day Tribute
26 January 2005
This Australia Day 25,000 people crammed into the ground of the Australian War Memorial to enjoy a spectacular performance by members of the Edinburgh Tattoo.
Around 300 performers arrived early in Australia (ahead of full stadium performances in Sydney) from the UK to be part of the Australia Day Tribute.
It was particularly fitting that the Australian War Memorial hosted the Tribute as virtually all the units that these performers represent have served alongside Australians in conflicts throughout the world.
The Band of Royal Marines, the Scots Guards and the Royal Air Force and the Queens Colours Squadron were all part of the prestigious line up in Canberra performing classics such as Scotland the Brave and Mist Covered Mountains. Favourites with the crowd included Waltzing Matilda, The Road to Gundagai and the Dambusters March.
The night ended with a moving performance on the parapet of the War Memorial by a lone piper at sunset.
The free event was organised by the Australian War Memorial in conjunction with the ACT Government, Australia Day in the National Capital Inc., the Australia Britain Society, the National Capital Authority and the Australian Defence Force.
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Soldier placed on public display
3 December 2004
A significant painting capturing the loneliness and uncertainty of a tired Australian solider was today placed on public display at the Australian War Memorial. Soldier (pictured) by Russell Drysdale, was purchased on Tuesday night at a Christies auction for $450,000. The painting is a key acquisition by the Australian War Memorial and one that has been identified in its Collection Development Policy for a number of years. The purchase was made possible by several years of prudent financial management to accumulate the funds required for such a purchase. It is hoped that many Australians will be able to view the Drysdale while it is on display in the Orientation Gallery of the Memorial over the holiday period. Following this it is planned to include Soldier in the Memorial’s next major art exhibition Shared Experience: Art and War - Australia Britain and Canada in the Second World War. This exhibition is currently being developed in partnership with the Imperial War Museum and the Canadian War Museum. Shared Experience will open in Canberra on 4 November 2005 after public display in Ottawa. It will then travel to London for opening in March 2006.
Soldier on display.
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Official historian launches new book on peacekeeping
22 October 2004
Official Historian Prof. David Horner today launched the latest book by Memorial historian Dr Peter Londey. Other people's wars traces the history of Australian peacekeeping, from the end of the Second World War, through the changes prompted by the Cold War, to more recent missions in places such as Somalia, Bougainville and East Timor.
Other people's wars is now on sale at the Memorial Shop for $35.
Prof. David Horner and Dr Peter Londey.
The Australian War Memorial proud to host Australia Day tribute by UK massed bands
10 September 2004
Over 300 performers, in Australia as part of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Aussie Stadium, will come to Canberra on Australia Day for the Australia Day Tribute performance. This is not a performance of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, but is instead a tribute to Australians on Australia Day by military bands from the United Kingdom. The Australia Day Tribute will commence at 7 pm on 26January . Entry is free and tickets are not required.
Canberra City Pipes and Drums at the Australian War Memorial.
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