Sounds of War

The Memorial’s collection contains approximately 9,000 historic films, and 8,000 sound files encompassing 6,000 oral histories.

Our podcasts also highlight our military history, tell stories of service and sacrifice, and help us to better understand Australia’s wartime experience.

Here are some of the items in our vast collection.

When the war in the Pacific ended on August 15, 1945, Australians went wild with joy. That day – VP (Victory in the Pacific) Day – was celebrated across the country with street parties and parades. But the day was also marked with sorrow for the tens of thousands of Australians killed or injured.  To commemorate the 75^th anniversary of VP Day, Louise Maher explores the story of a young woman’s simple knitted vest that symbolised the relief of the nation and hope for the future.

Listen here.

Listen to the radio broadcast by Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies announcing the declaration of war with Germany, 3 September 1939.

The Department of Veterans'' Affairs is sharing stories of those impacted by the Second World War - from veterans to widows and those on the home front.

Radio stations across the country will be sharing a series of stories told by those who lived through the Second World War. These stories have also been featured daily, from 2 June up until 15 August, on Minister Chester’s and the Commemorations and War Graves Australia social media pages.

To listen to these stories, visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.

Listen to Prime Minister Joseph Benedict Chifley announce the end of the Second World War in the Pacific with the surrender of Japan, August 1945.