Unforgotten: Songs of Australians at War
Join acclaimed Australian musician Fred Smith, for a reflective evening of music and storytelling, honouring service and sacrifice.
Drawing on his experiences in Bougainville and Afghanistan, Fred brings to life the human stories of conflict, connection and memory through the power of live performance.
When: Saturday 15 August 2026
Where: Theatre, Australian War Memorial
Time:
Foyer doors open at 6 pm
Theatre doors open at 6.30 pm
Show starts at 7 pm
Duration: 2 hours + 30min intermission
Refreshment will be available for purchase.
Cost: $65 pp + booking and processing fees
Reserved wheelchair accessible seating only available for purchase by contacting the Memorial directly on (02) 6206 9813.
The show combines the iconic ballads of Henry Lawson, Eric Bogle and John Schumann with songs written by Fred Smith when meeting Australian troops in southern Afghanistan.
Unforgotten combines these classics with songs that Fred wrote while working as a diplomat on Australian government deployments on Peacekeeping Operations in the South Pacific conflict zones in the early 2000’s and more recently in Afghanistan, where Fred worked alongside Australian troops in Uruzgan province between 2009 and 2013.
In 2021, Fred went back to Afghanistan and ended up working from Kabul airport and the evacuation that followed the end of the mission and the collapse of the Afghan Republic that ensued.
Unforgotten brings all these songs to life with footage and imagery projected on the big screen behind the band.
Article: 'It just seems to matter'
Read about Fred Smith, a former Australian diplomat and folk musician, whose songs about his experiences in Afghanistan—especially the loss of soldiers—helped capture and communicate the emotional reality of service.
Parking and access
Free visitor parking is available in the P1 carpark.
Taxi, rideshare, or private drop offs are located in the underground P1 Visitor Carpark with access via Fairbairn Avenue.
Accessibility
Wheelchair and Carers seating
There is reserved wheelchair accessible seating available in Seats 1, 2, 3, 21, 22 of Row L with carers seats adjacent.
These seats can only be purchased by contacting the Memorial directly on (02) 6206 9813.