Memorial to close Anzac Hall to the public

Following Federal Parliament’s support on the need, scope, cost, purpose and value-for money of the Australian War Memorial’s development project last month, the doors to Anzac Hall will be closed to the public on the evening of Sunday 28 March 2021.

Memorial Director Matt Anderson said while the building has been a valuable part of the Memorial over the past 20 years, the intrinsic value of Anzac Hall is its capacity to tell stories.

“Replacing Anzac Hall will increase the space available to honour Australian servicemen and servicewomen involved in modern conflicts and operations, which is the best outcome for the Memorial’s future. It’s important our team has the necessary time required to safely assess and relocate collection items inside Anzac Hall to our storage and maintenance facility in Mitchell.

The Director previously remarked:

“This is a significant milestone. The Memorial will now proceed with enabling works on a new temporary entrance, establish construction site facilities, close Anzac Hall from late March, install a temporary reading room for continued collections access, and relocate identified items and sculptures out of work zones.

“Importantly, the commemorative area – will remain unchanged. Visitors will continue to be able to visit the First and Second World War galleries, the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, the Roll of Honour, and to participate in the daily Last Post Ceremony.”

To visit Anzac Hall before it closes, book via www.awm.gov.au/visit.

National Capital Authority Approval Process Commenced

The Development of the Memorial has progressed to the third and final approval process, with the National Capital Authority (NCA) to progressively review building designs and precinct landscaping, consult with Canberra residents, and provide direction for any amendments to the plans.

The Memorial has liaised with the NCA for more than a year and has been granted several NCA approvals for enabling works already.