Medal colours bloom at Floriade

This year, Floriade recognises the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society with garden beds inspired by the Victoria Cross, and the diverse colours used in campaign medal ribbons.

The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour “in the face of the enemy” to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories. This award originated from a growing feeling amongst the public and in the Royal Court that a new award was needed to recognise gallant acts that were unconnected with a man’s lengthy or meritorious service. The varying colours displayed in the campaign medal ribbons garden bed are a visually appealing contrast to the repeated shape of the Victoria Cross.

For more information regarding the Victoria Cross, visit the Memorial’s Hall of Valour which recognises the heroic acts of ordinary Australians under the extraordinary conditions of war or visit our website www.awm.gov.au/visit/hall-of-valour.

This year’s Floriade theme, Innovation, has been inspired by the passion and creativity behind some of the capital’s greatest national achievements, which are celebrated or commemorated at our world-class national attractions.

The Memorial will be offering a variety of informative public programs at the Memorial for the public to experience during the Floriade period, 14 September - 13 October.

Innovation talks at the Memorial will commence at 1.45 pm, every Tuesday and Thursday. Join a Memorial curator for these special gallery talks exploring the Memorial’s collection through the 2013 Floriade theme – Innovation. Tours commence from the Orientation Gallery.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience areas usually closed to the public, and see treasures up close and in detail. Behind the Scenes Flowers tours are held on Wednesday 18 September and 9 October in the Research Centre’s archive, to discover some of the Memorial’s rare and unique archival collections featuring flowers. Flowers offer hope and peace – they appear in the collection pressed into letters home, in souvenirs, in exquisite embroidered silk postcards and as sketches and drawings in letters and diaries. This tour is a chance also to have some of your military history questions answered. Bookings for this public program tour are essential, please contact public.programs@awm.gov.au.