Conferences and seminars
One of the Australian War Memorial's aims is to disseminate knowledge and understanding of Australia's military history. In keeping with this we hold seminars and conferences dealing with a broad range of topics relating to the field.
Past conferences
Reflections on INTERFET, 15 October 2019
To mark the 20th anniversary of INTERFET the Memorial is convening a special half-day symposium to reflect on and discuss Australia’s contribution in 1999 to establishing the security and stability that helped establish Timor-Leste as a free and independent nation.
1918 - The end of "the war to end war" Centenary Symposium, 16 November 2018
The Australian War Memorial invites you to join our historians and other experts in a special one-day symposium on the last year of the war, as we assess the climactic events of 1918 – from the failed German Spring Offensives to Australia’s final infantry action in the costly capture of Montbrehain.
1916: the cost of attrition, 20–22 July 2016
To mark the centenary of Australia's introduction to the Western Front, the Australian War Memorial held an international conference 1916: the cost of attrition, that brought together renowned historians from Australia and abroad to cast fresh light and international perspectives on many aspects of the war in 1916.
Victory in the Pacific: war and art, 15 August 2015
To commemorate the 70th anniversary of victory in the Pacific, and in conjunction with the Memorial’s new exhibition Reality in flames and the publication of The Changi book, a special one-day symposium will be held on 15 August 2015. Join leading military and art historians as they consider the experiences of Australians in the war in the Pacific as well as the artistic and creative responses to the Second World War.
Victory in Europe: a symposium, 8 May 2015
This symposium will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Join Associate Professor Peter Monteath (POW: Australian prisoners of war in Hitler’s Reich), Professor Mark Edele (Soviet veterans of the Second World War), and author Peter Rees (Lancaster men: the Aussie heroes of Bomber Command) as they discuss some of the key aspects that led to the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Gallipoli 1915: a century on, 18–20 March 2015
On the centenary of Gallipoli, Australia’s national memorial and museum of war joins with Australia’s national university to host this major international conference. Leading historians from all the countries who contributed forces to the campaign will present the most current perspectives on the many faces of Gallipoli.
Vietnam: international perspectives on a long war, 15–16 August 2013
In August 2013, the Australian War Memorial, with the support of Boeing Australia and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), will host an international conference on the Vietnam War, to mark the 40th anniversary of the ceasefire in 1973 and the withdrawal of Australian and American forces.
Prisoners of war, 5–6 June 2013
Kokoda: beyond the legend, 6–7 September 2012
Korea: in from the cold, 6–7 October 2011
The Australian War Memorial in partnership with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is pleased to announce this year’s international military history conference, which focuses on the Korean War.
Gallipoli: A ridge too far, 5–6 August 2010
War wounds: medicine and the trauma of conflict, 24–25 September 2009
1918: Year of Victory, 28 November 2008
BigStuff: care of large technology objects, 29 September–1 October 2004
Air War Europe, 15 November 2003
Those who took part in the air offensive against Germany in 1943 and 1944 fought in some of the most costly campaigns of the Second World War. To commemorate the battle of Berlin and the air war over Europe, the Australian War Memorial held a one-day conference in Canberra on 15 November 2003. Air War Europe focused on every aspect of the air campaign during the Second World War, including campaigns and strategy, the role of Bomber Command, Fighter Command and the Tactical Air Force, debates over the effectiveness of bombing, and the role Australian air servicemen and women played in the defeat of the Axis powers. Speakers includeD veterans, Memorial staff and historians of the Second World War in the air.
Remembering 1942, 2002
For Australians 1942 was a year of mixed tidings. Weighed against the victories on the Kokoda Trail, at Buna and Gona and at El Alamein was the loss of the 8th Division at Singapore and the realisation late in the year that although the tide of the war was turning in the Allies' favour there would be much bitter fighting ahead.
Remembering 1941, 2001
The Memorial's 2001 conference concentrated on the naval, air and land campaigns in which Australians fought in 1941. The conference was held on Saturday 8 December 2001 in the Telstra Theatre, Australian War Memorial.
Gallipoli: the August offensive, 5 August 2000
On Saturday 5 August 2000, a special symposium Gallipoli: the August Offensive was held at the Australian War Memorial to mark the 85th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign.