AUSTRALIANS ALL

Who we are. Where we’ve come from. The forces that shape us. How we relate to each other and the world… This year, the Shrine explores the weighty theme of ‘identity’ through an interrelated suite of exhibitions, interviews, podcasts and events.

Few events in Australia’s modern history have shaped our sense of national self more than the actions of the ANZACS at Gallipoli. For more than 100 years, Australians have continued to draw influence from the actions of our defence force men and women. The Shrine and its related monuments provide proof, as war ravaged communities sought to secure aspects of identity threatened by the loss of loved ones in wartime.

Identity often forms around national themes, derived from actions on the world stage. The recently federated nation of Australia became a global actor in the First World War; and the birth of the ANZAC legend defined what many hold to be essential Australian qualities set-down by Former Governor-General, Sir William Deane: courage, endurance, duty, love of country, mateship and good humour.

Yet a nation’s identity must by its nature be reflective of the communities, families and people living within it. increasingly, we are coming to recognise how difference may be acknowledged, accepted, embraced and championed— without detriment to the whole.

Some fear change that challenges their pre-determined social framework. i contend that the considered reframing of individual difference—making it part of a shared identity rather than a divisive tool—presents one of society’s greatest opportunities: allowing us to maximise our human potential through the additive value of diversity in thinking and action.

Few better opportunities exist to explore this theme than examination of the lived, multi-generational, experience of Australians caused to confront the human condition in the crucible of war. This year, ‘identity’ is the lens we will bring to focus as we continue our efforts to understand and reflect upon the experience of all Australians in wartime.

Our special exhibition, Lust. Love. Loss., will examine the intersection of primal passions for blood and intimacy in war. This will be followed by an exhibition examining the experience of LGBTQI+ members of the Australian Defence Force—an aspect of Australia’s military history often ignored.

To conclude the series, a reflection on the unique experiences of indigenous service personnel in the ADF will be shared in a reinterpretation of the Shrine’s successful Indigenous Australians at War touring exhibition: exploring new perspectives of Indigenous service in the First and Second World Wars.

Reflecting the theme of identity and informed by our increased use of digital channels to advance our purpose, we have also recast the Shrine’s graphic design language and updated the logo introduced in 2003. More evolution than revolution, the design language continues to draw upon the iconic architectural forms of the Shrine monument, interpreting them in contemporary ways. Upholding our heritage, while recognising and embracing our place in the hearts of Victorians. We are ‘the Shrine’.

Yours in commemoration,

Dean M Lee