Join us as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War through a series of special events and public programs.
The Memorial will highlight several significant anniversaries including VE (Victory in Europe Day on 8 May and VP (Victory in the Pacific) Day on 15 August.
Through a mix of free and paid events, there is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of this significant chapter in Australia’s history.
Free on-site events
Second World War Highlights Tour
Second World War Galleries, Level 2
Daily, 11.10 am
Join our free daily tour at 11.10 am, where our voluntary guides take you through the highlights of the Second World War Galleries. Enquire at the visitor information desk (Level 0 and Level 2)
Last Post Ceremony with Federation Guard
Commemorative Courtyard, Level 2
Victory in the Pacific
15 August 2025 | 4.30 pm
Victory in the Pacific!
Photographic exhibition, Level 2
1 August 2025 - 12 October 2025 | 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
A series of photographs that capture the joy and celebration, coupled with the sombre commemoration which seized Australians, as the nation waved goodbye to The Second World War and welcomed the idea of peace.
Author Talks
Author Talk: Kristen Alexander
Theatre, Australian War Memorial
14 May 2025 | 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm
Historian Dr Kristen Alexander will join us at the Memorial to discuss her sixth book, Kriegies: the Australian Airmen of Stalag Luft III.
Author Talk: Mark Johnston
Theatre, Australian War Memorial
18 June 2025 | 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm
Author of over a dozen books on Australia in the Second World War, historian Dr Mark Johnston will reflect on the experience of Australian service personnel in 1945.
Author Talk: Kathleen Reid-Smith
Theatre, Australian War Memorial
17 September 2025 | 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm
Join us at the Memorial as former intelligence officer and military historian Kathleen Reid-Smith discusses her new book Operation Cleeve, SOEs forgotten wartime tragedy in Thailand.
Author Talk: Phil Craig and Christine Helliwell
Theatre, Australian War Memorial
15 October 2025 | 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm
Join Phil Craig and Emerita Professor Christine Helliwell in conversation as they discuss their respective works 1945: The Reckoning. War, empire and the struggle for a new world and Semut: The untold story of a secret Australian operation in WWII Borneo.
EXPLORE
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WM - The official magazine of the Australian War Memorial
We are proud to announce the arrival of WM - the Australian War Memorial's new magazine and website.
Explore today at https://wm.awm.gov.au/
Performances
21 Hearts: Vivian Bullwinkel and the nurses of the Vyner Brooke
Season performance dates: 24 July – 3 August 2025
Location: Theatre, Australian War Memorial
Join us for 21 Hearts: Vivian Bullwinkel and the nurses of the Vyner Brooke. A moving live performance that honours the strength, resilience, and sacrifice of Australian women during the Second World War.
Greater Love: Second World War Memorial Concert
Date: 15 August 2025 | 7 pm - 10 pm
Location: Llewellyn Hall, ANU School of Music, Canberra
Join this powerful commemorative concert to mark the declaration of peace in the Pacific 80 years ago.
Symposium
Interpreting Australia's Second World War: Previewing Anzac Hall
Date: 15 August 2025 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Theatre, Australian War Memorial
Join Memorial historians and curators as they reflect on the significance of Australia’s Second World War and provide a preview of some of the new stories and individual experiences from the forthcoming exhibitions: Australians in Bomber Command, Sydney Harbour under attack, and The battle of Milne Bay which will be on display in the new Anzac Hall.
- Dr Karl James, “Australia and the Second World War”
- Dr Lachlan Grant, “Anzac Hall preview”
- Emily Hyles, “Australian women at war”
- Garth O’Connell, “First Nations stories, an exhibitions preview”
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