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A changing nation

Forging The Nation - Towards the Future

 

 

  • Forging the Nation: home
  • Federation
  • National identity
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  • The First World War
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  • Introduction
  • A changing nation
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After the war Australia could never be the same. The war was the cause of great private grief and public mourning. Communities constructed war memorials to mark their contributions and their losses. Adding to the toll of war dead, the influenza epidemic caused 12,000 civilian deaths in 1919.

The nation had also been tested in other fields. It had to discover the maturity to handle internal division and conflict. Little had been resolved in understanding the Aboriginal population's place; women's contributions were still largely unacknowledged; religious and political sectarianism was rife; and labour disputes could be bitter and brutal.

That a new age was about to begin was demonstrated in the field of aviation. Previously Australia could be reached only by sea, but in 1919 two brothers, Keith and Ross Smith, flew an aircraft from England to Australia. The following year an airline company called Qantas (Qld & NT Aerial Services) was formed, and in 1921 the Royal Australian Air Force was established. As the world began to shrink, ties with Britain began to stretch and memories of the colonial past began to fade.

Nothing's too good for the soldier

Nothing's too good for the soldier
From The Bulletin 29 September 1921, pg 10. By permission of National Library of Australia.

Collection Item C204715

Accession Number: P01102.010.004

Killer 'flu'

Between February and July 1919 the virulent strain of pneumonic influenza which had been sweeping the world reached Australia and caused thousands of deaths. Schools and public places closed and people wore face masks. State governments had to recruit volunteers to assist in the care of the sick and to prevent infection.

Collection Item C53642

Accession Number: A05383

A new nation writes its history.

In 1921 the first of the twelve volumes of the Official history of Australia in the war of 1914-18 was published. In it C.E.W. Bean told the story of the Gallipoli campaign. Bean also edited the entire series. Behind the recital of historical facts was a purpose: to show, as he put it, "how did the Australian people - and the Australian character, if there is one - come through the test of this, their first great war?" This photograph shows the first volume packed and ready for transport from Canberra to the publishers in Sydney in December 1920. Bean is standing at the centre.

Collection Item C205910

Accession Number: P01383.017

Controversial cleric.
 

The complex character of the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr Daniel Mannix, is demonstrated by his association with both Australian war heroes and the gambling and sporting promoter John Wren. An Irish-nationalist, Mannix was prominent among the opponents of conscription during the war. In the face of mounting accusations of disloyalty, Wren arranged for 14 Victoria Cross winners riding white horses to lead the 1920 St Patrick's Day parade. John Hamilton, VC received this presentation photograph to acknowledge his participation.

Last updated: 5 December 2019

1 The Donations and bequests

Donations & Bequests

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

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2 Visit Transcribe.awm.gov.au

Transcribe

Help preserve Australia's history by transcribing records from the National Collection. Enhance accessibility and discoverability for all Australians.

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The placesofpride

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia.

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Visit the Australian War Memorial

Visit the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. Entry is free and tickets are not required.

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Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
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The Australian War Memorial building

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue
Campbell ACT 2612
Australia
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The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

Opening Hours

10 am to 4 pm daily (except Christmas Day)

 

In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony,

galleries are progressively closed from 3:40 pm.

 

Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612

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