Remembrance 2023

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE, MELBOURNE

NOVEMBER 2023-24 | VOLUME 13

REMEMBRANCE

NOVEMBER 2023-24 REMEMBRANCE

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SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE 1 November 2023 – 11 February 2024

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CONTENTS

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MONTEVIDEO MARU DISCOVERY

by Gayle Thwaites

DRESSED FOR DUTY

by Kate Spinks-Colas and Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group Land Domain team

RECOVERING THE PAST

by Ian Alderman

OF SERVICE

by Jenani Therone

THE ANZAC DAY EVE GAME

by Sue Curwood

THE SCIENCE OF SERVICE DOGS

by Richard Lord

THERE’S MORE TO THIS STORY

by Katrina Nicolson

PODCASTING AND REMEMBRANCE

by Megan Spencer

COR INFINITUS

by Andrew Sivijs

THE VOICE OF COMMEMORATION

by Laura Thomas

FROM THE COLLECTION Neil Sharkey and Tessa Occhino

BRAVERY RECOGNISED IN BELGIUM

by Philip Powell

MENTIONS IN DESPATCHES

by Dave Sabben MG

100 YEARS OF LEGACY

by Tim Cansfield-Smith

ON THE COVER: SACRA by László Bordos.

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REMEMBERING

JOCK

BY GAYLE THWAITES

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Finding Closure in the Wreckage of the MV Montevideo Maru

The loss of the MV Montevideo Maru is the worst maritime disaster in Australian history, and until 2023, the exact location of its final resting place remained a mystery. Its discovery in April off the coast of the Philippines made headlines around the world. Read on as a descendant reflects on the discovery.

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n the tapestry of remembrance, there are threads of stories that span generations, reminding us of the sacrifices made by those who came before us. One such story, deeply intertwined with my family’s history, is the tragic fate of brothers Jock and Neil Olney.

Jock and Neil were men of passion, their love for sports evident as they played for the Warburton Football Club, leaving an indelible mark on the field. But their journeys took unexpected turns when they enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and were posted to 2/22nd Battalion as part of Lark Force, bound for Rabaul in New Britain.

Jock’s letters to his sisters, Katie and Marian, reveal a longing for home and a glimpse into his experiences abroad. They speak of his desire for excitement amidst the monotony of camp life, and his reflections of family deaths highlighted the profound sense of loss that pervaded those times.

Tragically, Jock’s path converged with the horrors of war. Alongside his dear friend, Roy Earle, he found himself aboard the ill-fated Montevideo Maru. On that fateful day, 1 July 1942, an American submarine USS Sturgeon fired four torpedoes, two of which struck the Montevideo Maru. Their lives, along with over 1,000 prisoners of war were tragically claimed by the depths of the ocean. The news of their final resting location, however, remained unknown to their loved ones for 81 long years.

Neil, the elder brother, managed to escape Rabaul and embarked on a treacherous journey to Mt Hagen in New Guinea. It took him months as he battled through hardships and the spectre of malaria. Upon his return to Australia, Neil struggled with the lingering effects of the disease, spending weeks in different hospitals, including Heidelberg and Ballarat convalescent units.

Despite his recovery, Neil’s heart

remained burdened by the unknown whereabouts of his beloved brother Jock.

Neil had hoped to find Jock after the war, but fate had a different plan.

He never fully discovered the truth of Jock’s fate and returned to Adelaide with his wife Gwen. They had a son, ‘Jock’, whom Neil would never get to see grow up. On 30 October 1945, at age 35, Neil passed away from malaria complications when Jock was only three months old. Neil now rests at the Adelaide General Cemetery alongside his wife Gwen, who passed away in 1981.

Imagine the toll that weighed upon our family’s shoulders. Jock and Neil’s parents, siblings, and even their nieces and nephews lived their lives without ever hearing the truth.

The pain of not knowing would have gnawed at their hearts, leaving a void that could never be filled. It was a burden our family carried, yearning for closure and the solace that comes with knowing.

IMAGE LEFT Neil & Jock Olney at Warburton in 1941 Reproduced courtesy of Gayle Thwaites.

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2/22nd Battalion Football team in October 1940. Jock is in the middle of the back row, 9th from left.

Reproduced courtesy of Gayle Thwaites

Jock Olney (Middle) and Roy Earle (Right) in New Britain, near Rabaul.

Reproduced courtesy of Gayle Thwaites

Background on the MV Montevideo Maru On 1 July 1942, the MV Montevideo Maru was sunk by an Allied submarine USS Sturgeon.

The ship was carrying more than 1,000 Japanese prisoners of war and while the exact number and identity of the men aboard has never been confirmed, sources suggest an estimated 845 military personnel and up to 208 civilians lost their lives in the tragedy.

Neil in Rabaul, 1941.

Reproduced courtesy of Gayle Thwaites

Then, on 22 April 2023, I received a call from Andrea Williams, my good friend and founding member of the Rabaul & Montevideo Maru Society.

“We found it. We found the wreck.”

The exact location of the Montevideo Maru wreck was unknown until April 2023 after Silentworld Foundation, alongside Dutch company Fugro and with support from the Department of Defence, successfully identified the ship using state-of-theart technology, including an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) with in-built sonar.

Turner and Tim Brown, as well as documentary maker Max Uechtritz, cinematographer Neale Maude and Andrea Williams, all aboard the Fugro Equator.

The immense grief that washed over me upon hearing those words is difficult to describe. Eighty-one years of unanswered questions suddenly found an answer, but with it came a flood of emotions, a mix of sorrow and gratitude.

This dedicated international team spent five years refining the search area to maximize the probability of success. Their collaborative efforts exemplify the significance of remembrance, extending beyond solving the mystery of Australia’s worst maritime disaster.

The tireless month-long search for the Montevideo Maru’s wreckage, led by John Mullen of the Silentworld Foundation and supported by deep-sea survey specialists Fugro and Australian Defence Force, showcased their unwavering commitment to honouring the past and bringing closure to affected families. Alongside John Mullen, the Silentworld team comprised marine search specialists Roger

As the great-great niece of Jock, I had a profound discovery about my family’s hidden history. The story of Jock and his brother Neil, their sacrifices and the tragic fate of the Montevideo Maru were unknown to me for many years. It was only after my grandfather’s passing that I stumbled upon fragments of their story buried deep within our family archives. The realisation struck me with a blend of curiosity and

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sorrow, as I came to understand the gravity of this undisclosed chapter in our family’s history. The ache of uncertainty weighed heavily within me, fuelling my determination to uncover the truth and pay homage to their memory.

Driven by my newfound purpose, I decided to join the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society to assist with their education team. It was through this involvement that I delved deeper into the history of the Montevideo Maru and the experiences of the prisoners of war. Immersed in research and conversations with surviving relatives, I pieced together the puzzle of Jock’s life, his bravery, and the immense loss that our family had endured.

Each story I encountered during this journey became a thread in the larger tapestry of remembrance, connecting families and weaving a narrative of resilience and sacrifice.

An image of the wreck of the MV Montevideo Maru captured in the 2023 discovery.

Reproduced courtesy of Silentworld Foundation.

Gayle Thwaites at the launch of When the War Came.

Members of the search team in the War Room of the Fugro Equator during the search for the MV Montevideo Maru.

Reproduced courtesy of Gayle Thwaites

Reproduced courtesy of Silentworld Foundation.

The journey to uncover my family’s hidden history and to contribute to the collective remembrance of the Montevideo Maru tragedy has been a transformative one. It has filled the void that once existed within our family and given me a profound sense of purpose. I carry their stories with me, a torchbearer of their memory, and a testament to the resilience and sacrifice of those who came before us.

Gayle Thwaites is an entrepreneur, author, and the proud great-great niece of Jock and Neil Olney. Gayle has been a volunteer with the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society for nearly a decade.

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The weight of the past and the stories of those who never had the chance to share their experiences washed over me. In that moment, I understood the power of remembrance and the importance of ensuring that the stories of Jock, Neil, and all those who suffered aboard the Montevideo Maru would never be forgotten.

Closure, however, does not erase the pain or magnitude of the loss.

It serves as a bittersweet reminder that Jock and his fellow prisoners of war will forever be etched in our collective memory. They made the ultimate sacrifice, and we will never forget the price they paid.

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As I witnessed the news footage of the expedition team’s war room upon their announcement of the wreckage find, I saw the stories and photos I had collected from the Lark Force and Civilian members’ families surrounding the walls. Their stories were above, and they lay

below. I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming mix of emotions.

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As the 75th Anniversary Commemoration approached, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to honour not only Jock and Neil but also the countless others who had suffered the same fate. I had the privilege of collecting over 140 families’ stories and photographs, preserving their legacies, and ensuring that their voices would be heard. The culmination of this endeavour was the creation of a compilation titled When the War Came: New Guinea Islands 1942, a testament to the strength and resilience of those who lived through that dark chapter of history.

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SACRA

A WORLD PREMIERE COMMISSIONED BY

NOW OR NEVER

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Envisioned by Hungarian artist Laszlo Bordos – one of the pioneers of 3D mapping artistry – SACRA brought the Shrine of Remembrance into brilliant motion with a series of sculptural illuminations and projections.

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n 1923, a public design competition resulted in the grand architecture of the Shrine of Remembrance.

The competition attracted 83 preliminary entries from as far afield as United Kingdom, United States, Turkey, South Africa and New Zealand. The winning design, selected from a shortlist of six, was by returned servicemen Philip Hudson and James Wardrop and was “unequivocally classical” in form.

In 2023, 100 years later, a spectacular immersive artwork was commissioned by Now or Never,

a new City of Melbourne festival celebrating digital art and future thinking, to reshape the gravitas of this monument and trace a line of its significance through our collective history.

Luminous and awe-inspiring, SACRA paid homage to the memory of our antecedents.

This masterful manipulation of light and darkness was accompanied by bespoke sound design by Czech composer and musician Ondřej Skála.

Hear artist László Bordos unpack the behind-the-scenes magic of SACRA.

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All images reproduced courtesy of Now or Never.

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Behind the camouflage and combat boots, a lot of work goes into developing uniforms and accessories that fit the form, function and rapidly changing technologies of the Australian Defence Force.

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DRESSED DUTY CLOTHING INNOVATION AND THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE

ABOVE: Warrant Officer Andrew Lee wears the Royal Australian Navy’s new Maritime Multi-Cam Pattern Uniform at HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin, NT. RIGHT: Private Navdeep Gill from the 4th Combat Service Support Battalion tries on the prototype Size 0 helmet and H Back Retention System at the Diggerworks Innovation Hub. Images reproduced courtesy of Department of Defence.

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BY KATE SPINKS-COLAS AND DEFENCE CAPABILITY ACQUISITION AND SUSTAINMENT GROUP LAND DOMAIN TEAM

In 1968, the Australian Army rolled out its newly designed jungle green uniform to personnel serving in Vietnam. To an uninformed eye, the new uniform may have looked identical to its predecessor. However, several subtle changes reveal the importance of innovation in military clothing and the level of research and testing involved.

For example, the new combat boot included a spike-resistant sole to protect soldiers against punji sticks, which were a form of guerilla warfare where sharpened sticks were placed in well-camouflaged pits or trenches.

The new trousers were made from a lighter-weight material with less bulk and a slimmer fit to better suit the tropical conditions, and the shirt included two shoulder pockets to store the field dressing, which was previously stored in the trouser pocket.

The new shirt also had angled pockets on the front of the shirt, which was designed in line with research that revealed soldiers tended to reach into their pockets on an angle.

High-quality, well-fitted and functional clothing is a universal need among Defence personnel.

Today, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) continues to research, develop and test new clothing and equipment, responding to the changing needs of the workforce, environmental conditions of new combat zones or technological advances.

On the other hand, Diggerworks is a unique multi-disciplinary team made up of operationally experienced Defence personnel, engineers, scientists and project managers.

They work with Defence, especially the CLOSPO, to identify, develop and integrate new uniform items that enhance Defence capabilities.

CLOSPO has a close relationship with the Australian fashion industry and regularly works with them on industry innovation and to understand what commercial solutions may be available. To support the CLOSPO in this process, Diggerworks collects feedback and recommendations, and with CLOSPO and the fashion industry, produce a range of prototypes for testing and evaluation across the services. Both groups continually monitor the clothing supplied to the sailors, soldiers and aviators to make sure it is safe and of high quality.

Major changes to standard combat uniforms are usually undertaken every 8 to 10 years. The most recent example of this is a change to the Royal Australian Navy uniform. In 2022, the Disruptive Camouflage Naval Uniform was replaced by the Maritime Multicam Pattern Uniform. The new uniform was a significant improvement in terms of the materials used and its fit and functionality. The design also made it consistent with the equivalent uniform typically worn by the Army.

Minor product development is conducted more often and includes improvements to existing garments. This can be seen in the new Australian Multicam Pattern Uniform (AMCU) Alternate Fit, which offers all members of Defence an increase in choice when selecting uniforms. The new uniform additions have been designed to fit different body shapes and therefore improve functionality. Initial prototypes were developed and evaluated as part of the Women In Combat Program led by Diggerworks.

Feedback was incorporated into design modifications before being introduced across Defence. This program also led to the development of a combat boot that was

specifically sized and shaped to suit women’s feet, as previous combat boots were more generic in their design.

Another important driver of innovation is technological advancement. In 2012, a brevet badge for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle pilots was designed and introduced.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have been in use since 2005 and flown in operations in locations including Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor. The brevet badge is worn on the uniform to recognise the unique qualification of personnel trained to operate this now essential technology. The design of the brevet badge has a long history dating back to the First World War and is part of military uniform tradition.

A more recent example of how CLOSPO’s work is influenced by technological advancements is in the development of fingerless gloves for aircrew. Fingerless flying gloves are currently being developed and tested to allow aircrew to operate the touch screens now used in modern aircraft.

The work that Defence undertakes to clothe and equip its people is extremely important, in some cases lives depend on it. Whilst their shirts and boots may look like regular shirts and boots to many, they hide hours of research, design and testing.

Kate Spinks-Colas is a curator at the Shrine of Remembrance

LEARN MORE ABOUT MILITARY UNIFORMS IN THE SHRINE’S NEW EXHIBITION TRENCHES TO RUNWAY: MILITARY INFLUENCES ON POPULAR FASHION. VIEW

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The ADF has two areas responsible for defence clothing: the Clothing System Program Office (CLOSPO) and Diggerworks. Each sit within the Land Systems Division of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group. CLOSPO is responsible for creating the uniforms and clothing Defence personnel wear, including combat and ceremonial uniforms, specialist garments such as flame retardant or

personal protective items, footwear, headwear, gloves, badges and banners.

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ometimes even the smallest changes to the design of military clothing and accessories can have a major impact on the everyday lives of defence personnel and the way they carry out their roles.

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Recove

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ering PAST

BY IAN ALDERMAN

Does a war really end at an armistice or the signing of a treaty? A new thought-provoking photographic exhibition that comes to the Shrine of Remembrance in the autumn of 2024 explores the long-term legacies of human conflict.

Recovering the Past, Flanders 2040 c 2012

by Ian Alderman C-type photographic print A crate of First World War gas shells unearthed from the fields of Flanders awaits their destruction.

Historical image: Australian solders with two German prisoners, captured having wandered into 7th Battalion lines, April 1918. photographer unknown

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Recovering the Past, Flanders 6950 c 2012

by Ian Alderman C-type photographic print Gas protection of old, meets the modern protective full-body suits worn by DOVO-SEDEE’s personnel today; tests have shown that the toxic contents of the recovered gas shells have not deteriorated over time.

Historical image: Informal portrait of three ‘Burnley Boys’ dressed in winter clothing and wearing bags containing box respirators around their necks, 1917. photographer R Guilleminot

Here we are, still collecting ammunition 100 years after the war ended, think about that.

CAPTAIN GL OF DOVO-SEDEE, THE BELGIAN ARMY’S BOMB DISPOSAL TEAM.

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n the Western Front, the past and present intertwine on a daily basis. An estimated 25 per cent of all First World War ammunition failed to explode, and today it remains a corroding legacy lying beneath the fields.

In 2022 alone, DOVO-SEDEE, Belgium’s army bomb disposal team, recovered 14,061 live shells from 2,334 individual collections from the fields and gardens of what once were the battlefields of Passchendaele. Known as the ‘Iron Harvest’, the annual haul will typically weigh in at around 200 tonnes of corroding but still lethal shells. To the population of Northwest Belgium, the explosive consequences of the Great War pose an everpresent and lethal risk.

So, does a war really end at the ceasing of hostilities and the signing of a treaty? How much of the manifold social and physical consequences of wars do we really appreciate? I asked myself these questions as I set about creating the artwork for my exhibition.

Recovering the Past is a photographic exhibition that superimposes historical images of men of the Australian Imperial Force with images of DOVO-SEDEE’s

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work. Seven years in the making, it confronts the viewer with a sobering portrayal of war’s long-term legacies.

I accompanied DOVO-SEDEE personnel on more than 250 individual collections of ammunition in West Flanders for the 25 images that comprise this exhibition. You’d be forgiven for thinking that sounds excessive, but for the montage photographs of Recovering The Past to achieve the desired visual impact, their production demanded considerations beyond strong composition and photographic technicalities alone.

Camera height, camera angle, direction of light and perspective itself were critical to consider when matching both photographs to create a successful montage image.

This information came from my careful analysis of over 200 selected archival images in advance of the project’s start. Compiled into a field guide, the information it contained proved an invaluable tool.

DOVO-SEDEE’s teams routinely collect unexploded ammunition from locations as diverse as farms, construction sites and back gardens.

If the location of the ammunition to be collected was suitable for me to photograph, I was given a few short

minutes to produce it. In a matter of seconds, I had to identify which archival image to pair with a given location.

Back in the studio, the final montage images were created using two software packages, with each image requiring between two and three days of system work to produce.

Despite being separated by one hundred years of time, the sense of connection between the two groups of men within each artwork is crucial to the exhibition’s visual impact. This connection suggests a team effort; that the century of intervening years has become irrelevant, replaced by a sense of mutual respect and equality.

Unique in narrative, this is an exhibition that represents every nation, every man, woman and child that has been impacted by human conflict. Today, through many thousands of dedicated cemeteries and memorials, we as a society rightly remember those who died in battles of the First World War. For its embattled survivors, war widows and orphans, and the mothers who grieved for lost sons, there is a very different story. With no such commemorative sites dedicated to the millions of these men, women and children who endured great

DOVO-SEDEE has the most complete First World War ammunition reference facility in existence.

Currently totalling 440 different shell types, it has one of every item yet found from the battles of Flanders. photographer Ian Alderman

Revealed through farming activity, a hoard of 147 unfired 7.5cm High/explosive shells is recovered by a DOVO-SEDEE team. A similar hoard was found a few meters away, suggesting this was once a line of guns. photographer Ian Alderman

personal suffering in the years after the Armistice, their plight has been all but forgotten.

Recovering The Past explores the post-conflict trauma endured by wars’ survivors. In 1974, interviewed about his service during the First World War, Jim McPhee from Drouin, Victoria said, “We thought we managed alright, kept the awful things out of our minds, but now I’m an old man and they come out from where I hid them. Every night.”

Recovering the Past, Flanders 3777 c 2016

by Ian Alderman C-type photographic print Although separated by a century of time, the two groups of men are afforded equal status.

Historical image: A lorry of Australian Artillery reinforcements en route to join the batteries of the 5th Australian Divisional Artillery, October 1918.

Photographer unknown

wars’ victors or vanquished; it is dedicated to raising the profile of human conflicts’ less-appreciated consequences.

The consequences explored in my work are not at all unique to the First World War alone. More than one hundred major wars have been fought since the signing of the Armistice. Recovering the Past and the issues it raises is relevant to all of these wars and those that sadly are likely yet to come.

Ian Alderman is a London-based professional photographer and digital artists.

RECOVERING THE PAST WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE SHRINE IN APRIL 2024.

More than fifty years after the war’s end, Jim routinely endured torturous recollections of his time in battle. He was just one of many millions of that war’s survivors who suffered longterm psychological trauma from it.

In August 1916, paralysed from the waist down having been shot in the spine, my own great-grandfather was evacuated home from the battlefields of the Somme. He was nursed until his death, some twenty years later by my great-grandmother, who had in her own way, become a victim of the war. Yet there is no monument to her service. My greatgrandparents’ shared plight is the inspiration for this exhibition.

Recovering The Past is not a project of politics and does not side with

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Of Service

BY JENANI THERONE

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In the project Of Service, Jenani Therone documents the stories of 100 veterans through photographic portraits and conversation to tackle veteran suicide and foster community awareness. Each image in the upcoming book values the strength and vulnerability of every individual and offers a place for their stories to interweave, bringing wisdom for those on the journey from armed service to civilian identity.

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f Service is an artistic response to the deep concern I felt watching media reports about the armed services and the subsequent storm of negative comments. I was alarmed to discover the number of veterans who felt so alienated that they took their own lives, and I knew the current debates were not likely to help. Many opinions were completely out of context and came from people who had never been in service or in a conflict zone.

It was from this that I committed to creating a fine-art publication of photographic portraits of at least 100 veterans to show their humanity and diversity beyond their role in the armed services. In-person meetings were conducted to complement each image. This allowed participants to tell their story and be heard. As the Of Service journey progressed, it took on a life of its own, providing a sense of community and healing. It highlighted the shared experience of veterans undergoing the transition into civilian life and gives insight into possible ways to navigate this change.

I had an initial discussion with each veteran by phone to make sure they understood the Of Service project and that there would be a resonant connection. Veterans had been asked to suggest a location for their portrait that may offer a deep association to themselves. In many cases, this includes an activity that is meaningful to them or companion animals with which they share a special bond.

life and affirm who a veteran is and what they bring to the community.

It was always important to take an additional portrait of the veteran and myself together. This emphasised the relationships created by this time of sharing vulnerability, truth and wisdom. The conversations are being written into stories that can be easily read to complement the artwork.

This will allow a glimpse into the sacrifices of service and the richness that has developed in civilian life.

Frederick Cullen OAM

The point of this work is to strip away the notions of politics and systems to focus on the individual and their journey. The participants have continually voiced how needed this project is, to gather stories of real

After 36 months, driving more than 34,000 km, and touching all states except the Northern Territory, the Of Service project is scheduled to be launched at the Shrine in June 2024.

Here are just a few of the stories that will be featured.

Fred Cullen’s portrait shows him sitting in a pool of light against the shadowy backdrop of his indoor plants with his medals pinned proudly on his jacket and a thoughtful look on his bright face. At 102, Fred Cullen is one of a handful of veterans still here to tell his lively tale of service during the Second World War. He served in the 4th Australian Field Regiment in New Guinea and his story is one of miraculous survival, taking a sniper’s bullet to his head and being carried out of the jungle on a stretcher. He was one of the lucky ones to return to Australia and

Opposite: Portrait of Frederick Cullen OAM 2022 photographer Jenani Therone

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Jenani with Fred during Of Service in person meeting 2022 photograph courtesy of Jenani Therone Studio

live a long and meaningful life with many descendants to amuse with his yarns. His passion for advocating and assisting other veterans led him to become the long serving president of the Ivanhoe Returned Services League for more than fifty years.

Fred ran a 100-acre orchard, developed a winery and advocated tirelessly for all the veterans he encountered. He says he still has something to give each day.

Fred’s story for Of Service was a chance for him to tell more details of his life than previously published accounts that focus on his wartime experiences.

Beginning with foundation years in Shepparton when many houses still used kerosene lamps, to short stints earning money in the local boxing ring, to being offered a position as teacher for the education department, his stories offer a glimpse through history.

Susan Weeks

Fred joined the army as much for the pay rise and adventure as he did for the chance to serve his country that had gone to war. His post-war life continued in the theme of helping others and looking for new ways to learn and challenge himself. Fred became a perpetual student, graduating with degrees and diplomas in commerce, political science, public administration, organic chemistry and horticulture.

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Sue came from a large family, some of whom were already in the armed forces, and so joining the army was like swapping from one family to another. Sue was a member of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps and she joined at a time when women were finally allowed to train in weaponry. Her four and a half years in the army were spent in communications, mostly performing secretarial functions. She left when she was expecting her first child as there was no way that she could look after a baby 3,000 kilometres from the nearest relative, doing shift work and with her army husband Ray spending six months away at a time.

Although she resigned from the army, she continued to be involved.

This included going with Ray to the Solomon Islands where he advised their police force. She assisted the

government by doing paperwork for the Defence Corporation Program. While there, she and a friend successfully started a catering company to provide food for government functions.

Sue’s Of Service portrait provides clues to the focus of her life after service with her sewing machine, surrounded by a myriad of coloured threads. Sue is now a skilful embroiderer, exhibiting her work widely and contributing to significant projects such as the richly decorated costuming for the Australian Ballet’s 2023 production of George Balanchine’s Jewels.

Her love of needlework began after leaving the army when she joined a Defence Wives group and ran playgroups and a specialised embroidery group. She now has a Masters of Embroidery in three medieval styles, and while this is not a university qualification, each one takes two years of study and completion of works for exhibit. She finds each project gives her the thrill of the chase until it is accomplished and she moves on to another. “I paint with a needle,” she explained.

Portrait of Susan Weeks 2022

Portrait of Marcus McEwen 2022

photographer Jenani Therone

photographer Jenani Therone

Marcus McEwan Marcus McEwan joined the navy at the age of 17 and spent time patrolling the seas for prohibited activity. At the age of 19, he was jumping on illegal fishing boats, encountering boats with asylum seekers, carrying firearms and making split second decisions. He had no idea of the implications of his experiences and found that many still had their effect on him decades later. Today, he views some of these desperate fishermen and asylum seekers in a more compassionate light as simply people trying to survive, but at the time, it was part of the job.

For Marcus, the best part of his time in the navy was working in a close-knit crew where everyone had each other’s back and looked after each other no matter how tired they were. He has had to accept that no civilian workplace will ever be quite like this. He has, however, found a

group of committed members of the Returned Services League in Lara where he has recently been appointed president. He sees this as an opportunity to help change the stigma and public perception of what a veteran is by fostering new ties with the wider community. One such connection is with the Lara Football Club, where the veterans participated in a special Anzac Day march and service.

He has recognised the need for staying in contact with mates and offers that advice to younger veterans transitioning into civilian life.

“Just because you do not pull on the uniform every day, it does not mean that the journey is over. You still have your good friends there, and look after them.”

eternal flame at the Shrine of Remembrance. He chose to be photographed in the dancing light of the fire for Of Service.

Jenani Therone is an artist practising fine art photography. She has produced several unique series of imagery and essays to benefit society, namely A Closer Look, Land is Family, Passion at Heart and now, Of Service.

OF SERVICE WILL BE LAUNCHED AT THE SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE IN JUNE 2024.

The fireside is his special, almost sacred, place. He and his best mate have called it their bush television on many camping trips, but it also holds significance as a link to the

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE

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Of Service is now available to pre-order via Jenani’s website.

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Lap of Honour of the MCG with the Corangamite Light Horse Troop photographer Michael Wilson, 2023

THE ANZAC DAY IGNITING REMEMBRANCE :

BY SUE CURWOOD

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Y EVE GAME NOVEMBER 2023-24 REMEMBRANCE

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Melbourne and Richmond Football Clubs’ support of the Shrine culminates in the annual Anzac Day Eve match. The pre-game ceremony, featuring the lighting of a torch from the Eternal Flame, creates a moving spectacle at the MCG. This year, spectators are invited to witness the torch lighting at the Shrine and join the journey to the MCG alongside the Shrine Guard.

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n the weeks leading up to Anzac Day, the Shrine welcomes a range of sporting clubs from netball, rugby, basketball, AFL and more, who find connection and inspiration in the hallowed spaces of the Shrine and the stories of the service people within. For these sportspeople, ‘Anzac Round’ creates an opportunity to come together to commemorate and honour the Anzac spirit, recognising a shared commitment to excellence, discipline and teamwork.

“All clubs look for ways to appropriately recognise our military history, and Anzac Day eve provides an opportunity for two clubs with significant links to our military history to do just that,” he said First played in 2015, the Anzac Day Eve match stands apart from Anzac Round itself, as it places a specific emphasis on contemporary service.

For nearly a decade, the Melbourne Football Club and Richmond Football Club have made generous donations to the Shrine of Remembrance to support us in delivering exhibitions, events and education programs that honour Victorian service and sacrifice. This special relationship continues to strengthen with each passing year, and the Anzac Day Eve match has emerged as a true highlight on all our calendars.

Richmond Football Club CEO Brendon Gale said the round is also a very significant part of the AFL calendar.

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Lap of Honour of the MCG with the Corangamite Light Horse Troop photographer Michael Wilson, 2023

While we hold steadfast in honouring and remembering those who have come before us, we also understand the significance of acknowledging recent-era veterans who have served or are currently safeguarding our nation.

Both Melbourne and Richmond recognise this by inviting current service people to talk about their

Lap of Honour of the MCG with the Corangamite Light Horse Troop photographer Quinn Rooney, 2022

Members of the Melbourne Football Club players and staff visit the Shrine.

Richmond players Tom Lynch and Dion Prestia at the Eternal Flame

Reproduced courtesy of Melbourne Football Club

photographer Brayden Chamberlin, Richmond FC, 2023

Sue Curwood is the Marketing Director at the Shrine of Remembrance.

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This year, we invite you to join the journey of the flame from the Shrine to the MCG. Meet us at the Eternal Flame at dusk on 24 April to witness the lighting of the torch. And if you

are feeling energetic, take the 20-minute walk to the G in the path of the Shrine Guard and light of the flame. Whether you are a Tiger or a Demon, we’re sure this will be a match to remember.

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Undoubtedly, one of the most poignant moments of the Anzac Day Eve match is the pre-game ceremony. A torch is lit from the Eternal Flame at the Shrine and is marched to the MCG, under the care of the Shrine Guard. Once at the G, the flame is passed to members of

the Corangamite Light Horse, who encircle the ground. The light of the torch is accompanied by myriad of phone torches as the 90,000-strong crowd joins in this moment in respectful silence. This evocative sight, combined with the lighting of the cauldron, creates a truly unforgettable spectacle.

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experiences to the teams first-hand.

This promotes understanding, raises awareness, supports mental health and fosters a sense of unity and inspiration that lives beyond the 2.5-hour match ahead.

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THE SCIENCE OF A

BY RICHARD LORD

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Service Dogs play a crucial role in the lives of many veterans. But how do they sense distress and provide support to their owner?

National Partnerships Manager at Integra Service Dogs Australia Richard Lord sheds some light on these incredible animals.

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hen Andreas Seyffer separated from the Army in 2017, he faced an all-too-common experience for veterans.

train, place and maintain accredited assistance dogs for Veterans and first responders with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“I was too scared to go down the shop, I was too scared to leave home, I suffered from road rage.

Assistance dogs, also known as service dogs, are specifically trained to help individuals with disabilities.

They go through extensive training, which can take up to two years to complete, and undergo a rigorous selection process where only those that display exceptional intelligence, trainability and temperament are chosen for training.

“When I went out with my family to a restaurant or things like that, I would have to sit with my back facing the wall and I would have to have a view of where I could escape if I had to.”

That all changed when a golden Labrador named Norris entered his life.

“It’s sort of as if we’re one unit. He knows how I’m feeling, and I know how he’s feeling. And just the mere fact of him being there is really a reassurance.”

The first step in training assistance dogs is to teach them basic obedience commands, such as sit, stay, come and heel. They are also trained for social behaviours at home and in many different environments, including public transport, restaurants, supermarkets, shopping centres, travelators and escalators.

This stage of training is crucial for creating a strong foundation for advanced training.

Andreas and Norris’ story is just one of the 110 partnerships forged by Integra Service Dogs Australia, who

Once the dog has mastered basic obedience commands, they move onto specialised training that focuses

“Now, thanks to Integra Dogs and having Norris, he’s allowed me to go shopping, he’s allowed me to go to a restaurant.

on training them in the specific tasks required by the handler.

This includes helping the veteran with anxiety, stress, emotional regulation and night terrors. Once the dog recognises cues, such as repetitive behaviour, pacing and hypervigilance, they can intervene by providing a physical interruption, such as nudging or licking the handler or providing deep pressure therapy by laying on top of the handler, which can help to calm them down. Similarly, if the veteran is having a night terror, the dog is trained to wake them. They are also trained to nuzzle the veteran handler to distract them from emotionally disabling symptoms and move the handler out of stressful situations.

One of the most important skills that assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD are trained in is recognising when the handler is distressed.

Research suggests that dogs are exceptionally attuned to emotional cues in humans and can even detect changes in our breathing and heart rate. Several studies have found that dogs can recognise specific

Opposite: Service dogs in training from Defence Community Dogs attended the War Animal Remembrance Service. photographer Susan Gordon-Brown

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Wreath layers at the inaugural War Animal Remembrance Service in 2023. photographer Susan Gordon-Brown

emotional states in humans such as happiness, fear and aggression. It has also been suggested that dogs can detect a person’s stress levels through subtle changes in body language and scent. One study found that dogs were able to detect the cortisol levels in the sweat of stressed individuals, suggesting that

Andreas and Norris were featured in an artwork by Sean Burton and Ben Pullin as part of the Between Two Worlds exhibition at the Shrine.

Andreas and Norris were painted

by Sean Burton. photographer Laura Thomas

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dogs can pick up on subtle physical changes that occur during periods of stress.

This ability provides veterans with the help and support they need to manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives. The future of assistance dogs is in mental health. Any mental

or neurological condition that is not visible from the outside yet can limit or challenge a person’s movements, senses, or activities is considered an invisible disability. It’s important to remember that everyone is different and may have different needs.

Members of the Mounted Police Force took part in the Animal Remembrance Service in 2023 photographer Susan Gordon-Brown

Members of the public were encouraged to bring their dogs to the War Animal Remembrance Service. photographer Susan Gordon-Brown

Gerry and Ed Sheean, nephews of Australia’s most recent recipient of the Victoria Cross, Teddy Sheean, released pigeons as part of the War Animal Remembrance Service.

Richard Lord is the National Partnerships Manager at Integra Service Dogs Australia

photographer Susan Gordon-Brown

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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT INTEGRA AND THEIR PROGRAMS.

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Join us to recognise the contribution of service dogs and all animals that serve in war and on the home front on 25 February at a special Last Post Service for War Animal Remembrance Day.

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Sho and Ichiko surrounded by their rice crop 1915.

During the Second World War defence authorities wanted to intern Jo and Ichiko. Locals interceded on their behalf, as they were well-loved members of the community and produced food for the war effort.

Reproduced courtesy of State Library Victoria H92.400/92

There’s more to

THIS STORY

BY KATRINA NICOLSON

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ne of the Shrine’s greatest challenges is ensuring that its purpose of honouring the service and sacrifice of Victorians and Australians in war, conflict, peacemaking and peacekeeping remains relevant to an increasingly diverse Australian community.

Find Yourself at the Shrine is a new addition to the Galleries of Remembrance where stories of Australian Defence Force personnel, or their families, from diverse backgrounds are highlighted. It also shines a light on the experiences of immigrant Victorians displaced by conflict for whom Australia is now home.

Their experiences differ as much as the countries and cultures they come from. You will find stories about people who have emigrated or hold heritage from Finland, Greece, Japan, China, India, Italy, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria, Myanmar, Afghanistan and many more. Some have come as war brides, some as refugees, some have been interned as ‘enemy aliens’, while others, such as Mario Takasuka in the following story, have defied the authorities to serve their new country.

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Mario Takasuka Mario Takasuka was born in Swan Hill to Japanese parents in 1910.

His parents Ichiko and Sho were exempted from the 1901 Immigration Restriction Act, better known as the ‘White Australia Policy’, due to their research into rice cultivation. They were responsible for the early growth of the rice industry within Australia.

In 1940, Mario travelled to Melbourne to enlist after being rejected twice locally on racial grounds. He served with the 2/3 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. His gun team defended Heraklion Airport on Crete when the Germans invaded in May 1941. They brought down one German plane and damaged two others before running out of ammunition. Surrounded by Germans, the team managed to escape in a rowing boat.

When Japan entered the war in late 1941, attempts were made to remove Mario from active service. His commanding officer supported his bid to remain with his unit, stating:

Mario on leave in Cairo 1941 Reproduced courtesy of State Library Victoria H92.400/96

His record as a soldier both in and out of action has been exemplary and in consideration of his outstanding service on Crete, I selected him for promotion to bombardier.

Mario was promoted to gun sergeant and served with his unit in New Guinea. Following the war, he returned to his family’s vegetable farm near Bendigo.

Mario’s is just one story of dozens now integrated into the galleries. On your next visit to the Shrine, look for this symbol and scan the QR codes to learn more of their experiences.

Katrina Nicolson is the Exhibitions and Grants Coordinator at the Shrine of Remembrance

Purpose in every purchase.

Make a lasting impact when you shop at the Shrine.

Your support helps us preserve the memory of those who have served and sacrificed by delivering commemorative services and engaging education programs.

Open daily 10am to 5pm.

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I learned that listening is a quiet, gentle space. Paradoxically, war is not.

LISTEN WITHOUT PREJUDICE: WHY PODCASTING IN THE REMEMBRANCE SPACE MATTERS

BY MEGAN SPENCER 2

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Megan Spencer conducting an interview in Moosburg at Stalag VII-A. photographer Oliver Budack

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The same goes for families, kin and communities, secondarily affected.

I first discovered the power of sound way before podcasts were ever ‘a thing’. It was in the ‘pre-digital’ analogue ‘80s in Melbourne, making radio at Triple R. It was tapes, tapes and more tapes.

It may not always be easy, but it is always transformational. We hear vulnerability, courage and capacity to live through and do things most of us can’t even imagine. There’s hardship, triumph, horror, kindness and everything in between. Stories oftentimes beggar belief.

Remembrance has a language and community all of its own, something I quickly learned after beginning this journey of ‘holding the stories of war’ in 2017, as I retraced my grandfather’s footsteps in Germany, a prisoner-of-war there for four years during the Second World War. An entire world opened up: I became a pilgrim, walking alongside so many others, desperately trying to make sense of war and all it entails.

Inspired by the big and small acts of remembrance I heard and saw, I returned to Australia to make my very first commemorative audio series.

I haven’t looked back.

Listening deeply, actively, openly and without prejudice is a way to honour all our service people, past and present, unconditionally.

Listening is an intimate and powerful act of remembrance.

That action—the conscious choice to listen to the stories of service and sacrifice—makes it a compassionate act.

Podcasting is an empathetic medium. When we take the position of another, even if only temporarily, it leaves a resonance. Listening to podcasts can create a space for learning, growth and understanding.

Once you hear something, you cannot ‘un-hear’ it. Once you learn something, you cannot ‘unlearn’ it. Once you know something, you cannot ‘un-know’ it. Podcasts invite our perspectives to change.

Which is why, I think, I continue to make podcasts about remembrance and the impact of service. As emotionally tough as it is at times— going deep into this storytelling landscape can carry a very real risk of secondary trauma—I cannot ‘not’.

It’s my version of peace activism.

The ultimate goal is peace. I cannot abide the thought of sending people to war—or war zones. The cost is too high.

I now know remembrance is personal, sometimes political, but it’s always a practice.

‘Never forgetting’ requires action and consistency: “Remembrance Day is every day”, not twice a year. Commemorative podcasts give us the opportunity to practice remembrance always, anytime, anywhere, at will.

That’s a game-changer and as easy as hitting ‘play’.

Megan Spencer is a dedicated remembrance podcast producer. Since 2017, she has created multiple series of award-winning, immersive audio features for Australian commemorative institutions, including the Shrine of Remembrance, the Australian War Memorial and the Virtual War Memorial Australia. Megan was recently recognised at the South Australian Media Awards, taking out the best radio/audio feature based on a single story for the ‘Defending with Pride: Voices’ series.

EXPLORE PODCASTS BY THE SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE LISTEN NOW

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When we enter the one-to-one environment of a podcast, closely listening to the voices of those who have lived through military service— be it combat or otherwise—we cannot help but be changed by it.

Podcasts are containers that hold much: storytelling, emotion, words, sound, experience, insight, silence, and above all, voice. Like movies, they transcend time, space and place. They deliver us into the lives of others.

The question then becomes, ‘what will we do with this newfound knowledge? ‘Action’ beckons.

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or me, making podcasts to support the cause of commemoration is a ‘no brainer’.

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Maker of the Shrine’s recent Identity podcast series, Megan Spencer, says the medium offers a different way for us to learn and remember.

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Cor Infinitus

A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND HELP

BY ANDREW SIVIJS

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Kevin Humphreys is an ex-Army Officer, rescue helicopter pilot and now mental health ambassador determined to make a difference and provide dignity and respect to the families of those who have served Australia. His energies are channelled through Cor Infinitus, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to Australians who served and sadly, took their own lives.

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simple message of hope and help. That is the genesis of Cor Infinitus—a term that translates to ‘Infinite Courage’ but simply means the love, strength and courage needed to speak one’s mind or to reveal your heart following a terrible loss. Cor Infinitus is a registered charity dedicated to Australians who served our nation but then, tragically, took their own lives.

It’s a silent crisis that resonated deeply with Kevin Humphreys DSC, Executive Director of Cor Infinitus. Kevin is an ex-Army Officer, rescue helicopter pilot and now mental health ambassador who spent 20 years flying Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters for the Australian Army. With the trauma of front-line experiences and highly dangerous and sometimes lifethreatening situations, came posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. Kevin has battled his own mental demons, stood on the precipice and almost ended his life.

On Anzac Day 2020, whilst at the Townsville Cenotaph quietly reflecting on his own life and

those of generations before, there was a sudden realisation: “This is terrible—we can do better than this.

Indeed, we must do better than this.

Surely, Australians who have served and suffered and felt so terribly traumatised that they choose to take their life, deserve more? As do their families and friends”.

The ‘raison d’être’ for Cor Infinitus and the gentle passion Kevin exudes is simple.

“I wanted to provide dignity and respect to those that served our great nation and had taken their own life,” he explains.

“I wanted to establish a memorial not just for them but more importantly, to give their families and loved ones that same dignity and respect, as well as a tangible place of connection and reflection”.

Sadly, veterans are disproportionately affected by mental health issues and overrepresented in suicide records.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) observed

in all five independent suicide monitoring reports that ex-serving ADF members are at a higher risk of death by suicide than the general population. AIHW also noted that after more than 20 years of fighting in Afghanistan, 46 Australians died through service, however, for a similar period between 1997-2020, more than 1,600 serving and exserving ADF personnel died by suicide.

The sheer magnitude of the mental health issues confronting veterans was recognised when on 8 July 2021, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), established the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. On 11 August 2022, the Commissioners delivered the ‘Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Interim Report’ to the Governor-General with a series of recommendations about urgent and immediate issues to be addressed.

Around this time, Kevin commenced a journey to establish a memorial that was not representative of any

Kevin Humphreys, DSC, Executive Director of Cor Infinitus, delivers an emotional and touching speech. photographer Darren Larkman Film & Photo

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The Cor Infinitus memorial fringed with an array of spectacular wreaths. photographer Darren Larkman Film & Photo

person, era or circumstance but would be anonymous and inclusive.

The first Cor Infinitus memorial was unveiled on World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September 2020, in Townsville’s ANZAC Park. As Kevin describes it, “the memorial is not about glorifying a person’s final action and we must not shy away from talking about it because of fear.

We must move forward with purpose to remove the shame and stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness”.

It soon became apparent that the memorial should be replicated around the country to serve a greater purpose. With persistence and determination, Kevin and Cor Infinitus have succeeded in erecting 14 unique memorials in a variety of locations such as Ashgrove in Queensland, Doyalson in New South Wales and Copper Coast, South Australia.

The memorials feature distinctive and sensitive symbols produced in watercolour to represent the compassion and care required for

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the families in such a tragic event.

A gold infinity loop represents the sense that the individual was, and still is, valued by those around them.

The mix of wattle and rosemary, the greens and golds, capture the Australian essence of resilience and spirit.

The memorials also list details of support agencies that may prove crucial to veterans and Australians who visit and are struggling with their own situation. Importantly, the memorials have received clinical oversight from recognised agencies such Open Arms, Mates4Mates and the North Queensland Primary Health Network to ensure they are as psychologically safe as possible.

On Monday 17 April 2023, the first Cor Infinitus memorial in Victoria was unveiled at the Shrine, adjacent to the peaceful Post–1945 Memorial.

As Kevin aptly described to the audience, “when we walked the grounds looking for the right location to place the plaque, this tree was pointed out. To me, it was perfect.

The tree is a native Australian

eucalypt; young, strong and upright.

To me it represents a beautiful metaphor”.

Kevin commented that “the Cor Infinitus memorial was made possible through the generous support of Melbourne Legacy and the Victorian Veteran Family Services Project”. He also expressed his “deep gratitude to the Trustees and staff of the Shrine for their patience and sensitivity, over many months, in making the service and memorial a reality”.

During the service and dedication Kevin observed, “the messages of hope are real words from real veteran families impacted by suicide.

A parent, a partner, a child, a mate and someone who attempted but lived and is grateful that they are still here today”.

In keeping with the underlying message of Cor Infinitus and Kevin’s personal commitment, it’s important to recognise those troubled or struggling and convey a message of hope and love.

Kevin Humphreys, DSC, Executive Director of Cor Infinitus and Kerry Jenke, President, Melbourne Legacy, unveil the memorial

The Shrine Guard present arms as part of the formal dedication and service.

photographer Darren Larkman Film & Photo

photographer Darren Larkman Film & Photo

A sombre moment of reflection as the Last Post is played. photographer Darren Larkman Film & Photo

Open Arms:

1800 011 046, openarms.gov.au

Safe Zone:

1800 142 072

Kids Helpline:

1800 55 1800

Beyond Blue:

1300 224 636, beyondblue.org.au

Suicide Call Back:

1300 659 467

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13 11 14, lifeline.org.au

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Lifeline:

Andrew Sivijs is Director Visitor Experience at the Shrine of Remembrance.

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If you need support, please contact the following organisations:

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THE

Voice

OF

COMMEMORATION

BY LAURA THOMAS

Squadron Leader Peter Meehan OAM (Retd) at the Anzac Day Dawn Service in 2019. photographer Susan Gordon-Brown

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From the Centenary of the First World War to pre-recorded Covid commemorations, Squadron Leader Peter Meehan OAM (Retd) has guided Victorians in both Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services. As he steps down from the role, Peter reflects on his time at the microphone and his hopes for commemorations to come.

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hen Squadron Leader Peter Meehan OAM (Retd) took the reins as emcee of the Anzac Day Dawn Service, he had a very important question for his predecessor Tony Charlton OAM.

the advancement of community knowledge and understanding of the service and sacrifice of Victorians in war and peacekeeping – criteria that Peter has gone above and beyond in fulfilling.

“I said to Tony ‘If it’s bucketing with rain, surely I can use an umbrella.’

Peter’s connection with the Defence Force began in 1990 when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force Specialist Reserve and was attached to No. 21 Squadron.

“Tony Charlton said ‘My boy, they didn’t have umbrellas at the Somme.

So no, you will not be using an umbrella.’”

Luckily, there have been few occasions since his inaugural service where an umbrella would have proved handy.

From the Centenary to Covid commemorations, Peter has guided Victorians in commemoration at the Anzac Day Dawn Service for 11 years, and the Remembrance Day service for 29.

To recognise his exceptional dedication, Peter was this year awarded the Shrine of Remembrance Medal for meritorious service to the Shrine.

The Shrine Medal is awarded to an individual in recognition of their outstanding contribution to

He deployed as media manager on numerous occasions to joint military operations and served during the International Peacekeeping Force East Timor period as media manager for the Royal Australian Regiment in 1999. Peter spent 25 years in the Reserves, and the last seven of these as editor of the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve newspaper.

During this time, he was also the voice of many a commute, following an extensive radio career that eventually saw him anchor programs at GOLD FM and 3AW Melbourne.

This coincided with his first Remembrance Day service in 1992.

His experience thus made him the perfect candidate to assume the position of Dawn Service emcee with endorsement from Tony Charlton,

who was then one of Australia’s bestknown corporate speakers.

“When Tony knew that his health was not going to keep him in good stead, he insisted that I stick my hand up with his strongest recommendation to Major General David McLachlan [former RSL State President], to say that ‘I am the replacement. I’m not here to ask, I’m here to replace Tony Charlton’. These were Tony’s words,” Peter said.

“I was deeply flattered and deeply honoured with my appointment.

“So, when the time came, Tony said ‘Whatever you do, continue what I’ve been doing.’”

A key part of Tony’s concept was the Dawn Service Prelude, which Peter described as “short stories of heroism, bravery, unusual actions in the field of war … not very well publicised stories of what happened in the air, at sea, and during land battles.

“As Tony said to me once, ‘My boy, this is aimed to give those poor individuals standing in the rain something to listen to while they’re waiting for the Dawn Service to start’.

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dishes, the prompt to commence the preamble arrived in my earpiece, which followed with a nod to Peter to begin,” Voula said.

“Instantaneously Peter switched to master-of-ceremonies mode, delivering a moving Dawn Service as he had in previous years and continued to in later years. This became a regular task for me on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day — one I looked forward to.

“I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to assist one of the finest presenters and play such a small part in Peter delivering Victoria’s major commemorative services. Peter is the essence of professionalism, integrity and above all else sincerity. Peter, for me, will always be the voice of Anzac Day and Remembrance Day — a sentiment shared by so many.”

Ceremonial Programs Manager Dale Capron also praised Peter’s ability to capture a crowd.

“I have known Peter since he started here in the Anzac Day MC position.

“During all those years I have worked closely with Peter. He is the consummate professional and an absolute gentleman to work with, and by the way, that voice! I could listen to Peter talk all day. He is by far the best MC I have worked with.

“I consider myself very fortunate to have met and worked with Peter and I consider him a personal friend.”

Peter stepped down from his post as MC of both major services in 2022, and for the first time in a decade, was a member of the Shrine crowd for the 2023 Dawn Service.

It was a bittersweet experience, with Peter leaving a key message for future services.

Squadron Leader Peter Meehan OAM (Retd) photographer Laura Thomas

“I felt Tony was dead right. There needs to be this prelude event before the start of the Dawn Service, not only for people standing there but for people who are walking to the Shrine so they can hear heartfelt stories of bravery and sacrifice as they approach.

“It’s part of the collective gathering of hearts.”

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For seven years, the Shrine’s Executive Assistant to the CEO Voula Gikas stood beside Peter at the Dawn Service to assist with commentary cues.

“Nervously hooked up to an earpiece, terrified I would miss a prompt, Peter instantly put me at ease by discussing how much he loves Greek cuisine.

After a long chat about our favourite

“It’s imperative that the Shrine of Remembrance remains important to younger demographic groups.

“The 1934 Shrine opening and the vision of remembrance set by General Sir John Monash. Could you ever imagine that falling away?

“No, but it’s up to the educators to find a way to make it interesting, no matter how sad, how terrible, how atrocious wars are and will always be.”

Squadron Leader Peter Meehan OAM (Retd) is awarded the Shrine Medal by Chair of the Shrine of Remembrance Trustees Captain Stephen Bowater OAM RAN photographer Jan Meehan

Patrick Meehan, Matthew Meehan, Peter Meehan,Melissa Hart & Alexandra Meehan photographer Jan Meehan

Laura Thomas is the Production Coordinator at the Shrine of Remembrance.

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Collection From the

The Murray Griffin DONATION

BY NEIL SHARKEY Soldier with Thompson submachinegun c December 1941

by V Murray Griffin (1903-92) charcoal on paper Shrine of Remembrance Collection

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In February this year, four siblings – Murray, Julia, Penny and Kate Griffin – contacted the Shrine of Remembrance with an extraordinary offer of donation. Their father, Garry, had recently died. Among his estate was a treasure-trove of paintings, drawings and prints created by his father – their grandfather – the celebrated Official War Artist V. (Vaughan) Murray Griffin.

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he Australian War Memorial first commissioned Griffin as an Official War Artist on 9 October 1941 to document the activities of the 8th Australian Division. The formation had been tasked with bolstering the garrison in Singapore—the lynchpin of the British Empire in the ‘Far East’ or, to put it another way, Australia’s ‘Near North’. Griffin arrived at Singapore in early November, scarcely a month before Japanese troops came crashing over the ThaiMalay frontier, on 8 December 1941.

Griffin produced many works between November and December 1941, but the most important of these works—ten oil paintings—were lost in transit after he posted them back to Australia during this uncertain, frantic period. Among the items offered

to the Shrine, however, is a series of five undated charcoal drawings that likely pertain to this phase of the campaign.

The charcoals depict the same Australian soldier. His postures are cavalier and defiant, and he always clasps a Thompson sub-machinegun.

The subject is rendered in wispy lines and smudges lending him a grim, distant and ghostly quality.

His weapon is, however, drawn with hard, dark lines—uncompromising and exact. The soldier is otherworldly and superhuman but armed with the worldly (and deadly) technology required to defeat his foe. The drawings are belligerent and cocksure but perhaps, even at the time of their creation, rooted in aspiration rather than reality.

Despite a series of ambushes sprung on Japanese columns as they pushed south down Malaya’s truck roads, the enemy’s unrelenting momentum continued unabated.

Murray and other Australian and Allied troops had no choice but to withdraw across the Straits of Johor to Singapore in late January 1942. Fortress Singapore fell on 15 February 1942 and Griffin became a prisoner-of-war with 15,000 of his countrymen and tens of thousands of British and Indian comrades.

Griffin spent the next three and half years at Changi, creating some 40 paintings and more than 150 drawings and sketches. As well as depictions of the fierce fighting on the Malayan Peninsula and Singapore between December and

Murray Griffin’s box of oil pastels Shrine of Remembrance Collection

Murray Griffin’s ‘War Artist’ permit, collar insignia and Prisoner of War identity disc.

Shrine of Remembrance Collection

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LEFT: Changi bunk house c 1944 by V Murray Griffin (1903-92) watercolour (lampblack) on paper. The painting features a self-portrait of Murray (top right-hand, with beard).

Shrine of Remembrance Collection

February 1942, Griffin also portrayed everyday life in the camps—the struggles, horrors, banalities, and occasional triumphs. The natural beauty and glorious colours of Malaya shine throughout. The lion’s share of the works Griffin created during the war was handed to the Australian War Memorial at war’s end.

The works of art offered to the Shrine in 2023 are therefore significant in that they are pieces that Griffin retained for himself. The charcoals, previously mentioned, were studies for an oil portrait (also among the donated items) which hung in Griffin’s beautiful Walter BurleyGriffin-designed house in Eaglemont, Victoria until very recently. This work, painted in the camp after Griffin’s internment, differs from the charcoals in one key respect. In contrast to its charcoal prototypes, the painting’s subject is rendered in fine detail, a romantic, melancholic and even fragile-looking figure. The cradled weapon, on the other hand, has been rendered inconspicuous— 40 NOVEMBER 2023-24 REMEMBRANCE

‘inert’—a vague ‘Tommy-Gun’ shaped brown mess.

Griffin’s work celebrated the achievements and ingenuity of his fellow captives. He recorded prisoners’ efforts to improve their lot by producing concert parties and other entertainments and by manufacturing artificial limbs, clothing, cooking utensils and medical equipment. He depicted many of the personalities of the camp, including senior British and Australian officers, members of the concert parties, and the army doctors and surgeons responsible for keeping so many of the men alive.

Griffin’s most famous works are perhaps those portraying episodes gleaned from the stories told by the men who had returned from forced labouring on the Thai-Burma Railway. These works detail the diseased and emaciated condition of the survivors and the mistreatment they suffered and often evoke the religious symbolism of Christ’s suffering.

When Murray’s original art supplies ran out, he improvised pigments using clay and painted on plywood and Masonite salvaged from demolished buildings. A beautiful wooden box of pastels inscribed with the legend ‘V Murray Griffin Official War Artist’ is included in the donation. Interestingly, the pastels appear to have been seldom used.

Murray’s favourite medium at this time was lampblack, an easily obtainable black watercolour pigment derived from soot and charcoal. Many of Griffin’s most famous works—including the ‘ThaiBurma Railway’ and the ‘Inventions’ series were largely crafted in this medium.

The Shrine donation includes two of the celebrated ‘lampblacks’. Both depict the inside of Griffin’s barracks bunkhouse. The first illustrates his immediate workspace—his desk, easel, brushes, and so forth—set up at the foot of his cot. The second portrays six men gathered around the bunkhouse dining table. Above the group hover three disembodied

Soldier with Thompson sub-machinegun c 1942 by V Murray Griffin (1903-92) Oil on board Shrine of Remembrance Collection

portraits. These, one assumes, are the roommates unavailable to sit for the group portrait (one being Griffin himself!). It is perhaps easy to surmise why Griffin held these back from his initial transfer of art to the Australian War Memorial in 1946.

In addition to the donation of 17 works, the Griffins have also entrusted the Shrine with personal effects and keepsakes from this formative period in Griffin’s life.

The prisoner-of-war identity tag, as well as the collar badges and permits that identified Griffin as a war artist, have been included in the donation, as have a few desperate letters exchanged between Murray and his family during his captivity.

An original self-penned manuscript, which formed the basis of a shorter published work, details Griffin’s war years and will likewise provide a boon for future research.

Visitors to the Shrine will notice the installation of a new exhibit in the Second World War that showcases some of the Griffin collection treasures and celebrates the role of Official War Artists and their invaluable role in documenting the experiences of Australia’s fighting men and women abroad.

Neil Sharkey is a Curator at the Shrine of Remembrance.

LEARN HOW TO DONATE HERE

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The Shrine collection includes many generous donations

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LEFT: The Gumnut Corps by May Gibbs BELOW: Sister Susie’s Sewing Shirts for Soldiers by May Gibbs

BEFORE SNUGGLEPOT AND CUDDLEPIE:

Shrine of Remembrance Collection

May Gibbs’ PATRIOTIC POSTCARDS

BY TESSA OCCHINO

he Shrine of Remembrance Collection holds more than 200 postcards, but none as endearing as these recent acquisitions featuring the iconic gumnut babies. Brought to life by renowned Australian author May Gibbs, these postcards were originally created for families to send to troops during the First World War and were also included in the Red Cross parcels sent to Australian troops. Each card showcases the gumnut and gum blossom characters alongside various Australian animals, demonstrating their contributions to the war effort in their own unique ways.

The first postcard, titled The Gumnut Corps, captures the spirit of courage as five gumnut babies stand prepared for battle, armed with leaf shields and pointy sticks.

This particular card belongs to a series that explores the experiences of soldiers going off to war from their perspective, rather than the perspective from the home front.

If you look closely, you can see the babies each undertaking a different task: cutting fabric, threading needles, sewing, knitting, and even one dozing off on the job, all in their bright gum blossom skirts and hats.

The watchful kookaburra, wearing glasses and carrying a Red Cross bag, oversees their work. The 14 babies were reported to represent 14 girls who met to sew for their soldier friends away fighting, and the kookaburra their directress.

This postcard pays homage to a popular wartime song of the same name, originally composed by British composer Herman Darewski and songwriter R.P. Weston as a patriotic tongue twister. Sung by popular American singer of the time, Billy Murray, the song humorously recounts Susie’s tireless efforts in sewing shirts for soldiers, despite the fact that many soldiers would “sooner sleep in thistles” than wear the shirts.

This was the most widely distributed of Gibbs’ postcards, with newspapers at the time reporting that ‘every parcel sent [by the Red Cross] contains a card of the Sister Susie Gumnuts’. Gibbs herself expressed immense joy in creating these postcards, with one newspaper saying: No work has ever before given her [Gibbs] such genuine pleasure, for she worked with the knowledge that they were going out to the gallant lads and were something essentially typical of their native land.

In all, Gibbs created over 30 designs for patriotic postcards during the First World War, all focusing on different aspects of the home front experience through her charming characters. These postcards served as the early inspiration for Gibbs’ beloved Gumnut and Gum Blossom Babies booklets, published in 1916, and ultimately in the creation of her first book, Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie: Their Wonderful Adventures in 1918.

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SEE THESE BEAUTIFUL POSTCARDS IN PERSON AT THE SPECIAL EXHIBITION TOYS, TALES AND TENACITY: CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES OF WAR ON DISPLAY UNTIL AUGUST 2024.

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Tessa Occhino is an Exhibitions and Collections Officer at the Shrine of Remembrance.

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The second postcard, entitled Sister Susie’s Sewing Shirts for Soldiers, showcases a kookaburra and 14 gumnut babies perched on a branch,

diligently knitting socks and sewing shirts destined for the troops. Two spiders generously provide their silk for the sewing and knitting tasks.

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Bravery recognised in Belgium

BY PHILIP POWELL

A significant plaque has been installed at Mesen, Belgium commemorating Robert Grieve VC.

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ince 2003, Captain Robert Grieve’s Victoria Cross (VC) has been on display in the Galleries at the Shrine of Remembrance. It is on long-term loan from Wesley College, Melbourne, who was gifted the VC by his family in 1959.

He used the cover of the blasts to move from shell hole to shell hole until he was able to directly place his grenades to silence the guns. His men could then move forward and take their objectives. Robert was injured shortly after and left the battle to seek medical treatment.

Despite news of his award making front page news in England and Australia, there was no memorial recognition in Belgium of his actions.

This has now changed.

On 9 July 2023, Mesen (the Flemish name for Messines) town mayor Sandy Evrard and Wesley College Principal Nick Evans unveiled a plaque in the Mesen market square that describes in both English and Flemish the story of his VC action.

BELOW: The plaque in Mesen market square photographer Philip Powell

stands adjacent to Ross’ 30-year-old Battle of Messines plaque.

an important enemy position with no more than a few hand grenades.

“This memorial rightly provides a permanent marker of the bravery of not only Captain Grieve, but the contribution of all Australian troops who fought in this action. I am delighted that the Mesen Town Council has graciously permitted this plaque to be installed here,” Dr Bastiaan said.

It was the recommendation of two sergeants in his company that was put forward to higher command to award a VC for his bravery. After the announcement of the VC award, his men wrote and signed a letter to him, saying “we will cherish with pride your deeds of heroism and devotion which stimulated us to go forward in the face of danger, and at critical moments, to give the right guidance that won the day and added to the banner of Australia, a name which time will never obliterate.”

Also present at the unveiling were councillors of the Mesen Town Council, Wing Commander Jesse Laroche, the Australian Defence Attaché based in Brussels, representatives of Wesley College and local members of the community.

In his remarks at the unveiling, Nick Evans noted Grieve’s afternoon action on 7 June 1917 stood as a testament of the man he was—a quiet but determined leader who, when the moment came, decided that he alone would move to take out

Philip Powell is a researcher at Wesley College, Melbourne. He has written several books on former students’ First World War service, and is now completing a book on their Second World War service.

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The plaque was designed by Dr Ross Bastiaan, who is internationally recognised for his battlefield and historical plaques. The new plaque

Reproduced courtesy of the Australian War Memorial

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When the men attacked, they were quickly held up by machine guns in at least one concrete pillbox. Grieve instructed his men to stay in their shell holes and then he alone moved forward, throwing grenades at the enemy positions.

RIGHT: Captain Robert Grieve VC

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Grieve was awarded the VC for his action during the Battle of Messines.

On 9 June 1917, he led 200 men of A Company, 37th Battalion facing their first major action on the Western Front.

NOVEMBER 2023-24 REMEMBRANCE 43

Mentions in

DESPATCHES DAVE SABBEN MG

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BY DAVE SABBEN MG

In his book Mentions in Despatches, Dave Sabben MG takes readers through a day-by-day account of an Infantry platoon in Vietnam from June 1966 to June 1967.

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e know about the politics that got us into and out of the ‘war’.

We know about the big battles: Long Tan, Coral, Balmoral, Binh Ba. We know about the social issues: conscription, drugs, moratoriums, the uneasy returns home. And we know about the legacy: the trauma, the PTSD, the divorces, the suicides.

But do we know what actually happened there? Do we know exactly what our soldiers did, day by day, week by week? Do we understand what they experienced?

What they did? What they thought about what they did?

This book will take you into an average Infantry Platoon for a 12-month ‘Tour of Duty’ in the year the Task Force base was set up.

It will take you from the early days, in June 1966, when a bare rubber plantation was occupied in the

middle of an enemy-controlled province, and a new operational base established.

Hundreds of soldiers endured getting six two-hour sleeps every three days for weeks on end. In between those sleeps, they patrolled with heavy kit in dust-dry or monsoon-wet (but always dangerous) conditions to clear the enemy from their own bases. And when not on patrol, they were digging pits, trenches, command posts and latrines. When not on patrol or digging, they were clearing the undergrowth and erecting barbed wire fences.

And when they did sleep, it was on groundsheets under plastic ‘hoochies’ without lights and always with a weapon within reach.

Showers were rare but mildew was everywhere. Food was mostly out of ration cans. Feet were rarely out of boots.

It was only later, when the base was a little more secure, that tents and stretcher beds became available.

Then the pace did slacken, but only slightly. One- and two-day patrols gave way to one- and two-week operations, as they cleared further out from the Nui Dat base.

Dave Sabben MG volunteered for the first intake of Australia’s National Service scheme. He applied for officer training and completed the first course of the Scheyville National Service Officer Training Unit (1OTU).

In January 1966, he was posted to 6RAR and appointed commander of 12 Platoon. Dave served the full 12-month tour and was a platoon commander at the Battle of Long Tan, for which he was awarded a Medal for Gallantry (MG).

Standing in front of his platoon on parade 2nd Lieutenant David Sabben, MID, salutes at a memorial service for comrades of D Company who lost their lives during the battalion’s tour of duty.

Image reproduced courtesy of Australian War Memorial (P04669_387)

Order a copy of Mentions in Desptaches.

Left: Image reproduced courtesy of Dave Sabben

CLICK HERE

NOVEMBER 2023-24 REMEMBRANCE 45

Excerpts from the book Mentions in Despatches

Down a VC Tunnel Approval has been given for me to go down the tunnel, and I admit to being nervous, despite the fact that it is once more cleared by the Sapper prior to the charges being placed.

The access pit isn’t inviting. It’s grasscovered, wet and muddy. The tunnel itself is about 2’ by 2’ at the entrance - a little smaller than a card table – and requires entry head first. I lie on the pit lip, and slide in.

Torchlight search by 37834 Sapper Raymond Bellinger, of Melbourne, as he crawls along a Viet Cong tunnel during Operation Enoggera.

Spr Bellinger was one of a team of engineers who searched hundreds of yards of Viet Cong tunnels after the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), had occupied a Communist village.

Image courtesy of the Australian War Memorial (CUN/66/0523/VN)

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The fetid smell hits with an almost solid shock. The floor is 2” of wet mud, and the walls are hung with spiderwebs and insects. I switch on the Sapper’s torch and prepare to go on.

In front of me, the tunnel proceeds at 2’ x 2’ for about 6’, then there’s a 6” step up in the floor and the walls slope inwards about 3” each, the roofline continuing uninterrupted. The tunnel divides at that

point, a smaller passage to the right, the main one continuing ahead as far as the torch lights - about 20’.

I crawl to the first passage and look around. The side passage is too small for me to enter. It’s about 12” to 15” square. It goes a few feet along, and then turns right again. The sapper had said that it stops abruptly a few feet from that bend. I turn again to the main tunnel.

The walls and roof are cut dead square, apparently perfectly level and smooth.

The floor is rough, where the Sapper has preceded me. I can no longer crawl. I have to hunch my shoulders, and even then, they are touching each side. With arms out in front of me, one holding the torch, I can inch forward on elbows, knees and toes. The stink of rot is blinding, bringing tears to my eyes. I feel the oppression of the walls.

On Arrival at Saigon The company files aboard the two buses look brand new on the outside, but inside, the seats are worn and split.

No doubt countless passages by similar occupants, with their boots, bayonets, buckles and blunderbusses, have contributed to their early demise.

The windows are welded shut on the outsides and are covered with a thick wire mesh – against grenades being thrown through. The mesh forbids the windows being cleaned, except by hose-down, so the view is less than perfect.

Still, the shade is welcome, and since the trip will be short, we don’t reckon we’ll miss much.

We’re wrong. In only half a mile, we pass hangars, storehouses and rows of vehicles brimming full of all manner of equipment and materiel. There are a few gun emplacements housing anti-aircraft guns which can’t have been fired yet.

There are metal container boxes - camouflage painted this time - stacked two and three high around fuel and ammo dumps. Other dumps are dug in with earth revetments.

Across the runway is a line of Phantom jets, each in its own earthworks bay and covered with camouflage netting - more for shade than camouflage, I suppose.

Everywhere, service men scuttle to and fro’, each on his (no ‘her’ to be seen!) own vital mission. The 10-mph bus speed limit is never reached, as we slow or stop for every forklift, tractor, jeep and trooper. Some unseen priority system gives anything but a bus right-of-way.

The half mile seems to take forever. Hardly the Red Ball Express, but we’re so preoccupied with the logistics that we don’t really notice the time.

Beyond the few commercial jetliners are uncountable military aircraft of all shapes and sizes, from the giant Starlifters, which look like they’d take a wing-folded 707 in their hold, down to the single-engine ‘Birddog’ aircraft.

Up one arm of the runway are acres of Iroquois helicopters - the UH1b and UH1d models familiar to us as the ‘Huey’ choppers of our training flights and the occasional TV war news telecasts.

15 yds along, and the torch picks out an irregularity in the wall. As I get level with it. I see it’s where the Sapper has dug away a bit of wall with a bayonet.

I realise that I have no chance to get at mine in this position, even though it’s on the belt at my side right now.

The passage forms a ‘T’ up ahead, with a passage leading off to left and right. I go right, taking advantage of the corner to get my bayonet.

I go on, even though I’ve been told it’s a dead end. What I haven’t been told is that it reduces in size before it deadends. I find myself backing out of a tunnel that I can’t even hold my head up in.

The SLR bayonet is almost exactly 8” of blade and 4” of handle and hilt. I measure the tunnel, and it’s 16” square.

A flicker of the torch tells me it’s time

Acres of HUEYS

Image courtesy of Bill Roche

to leave. I successfully negotiate the ‘T’ junction only by shaving a few inches off the corner and proceed left instead.

Two bends later, I feel a change in the air, and rounding another corner, I see light. Never a more welcome sight! I must have got used to the smell, because a whole new degree of evil smell assails me. The tunnel ends in the bunker, with a trap door (now open) to one side. In the bunker is a pile of overrotten fruit and other matter too foul to identify - that’s the new smell.

I’ve heard the expression ‘to gulp fresh air’ and taken it as a figure of speech.

Now, as I gulp fresh air, I value its descriptive powers. I’m dirty all over not just dirty, but DIRTY. Caked in muck.

I don’t know how, but the Sappers don’t seem to get so dirty.

“Sighting up” with a captured communist Chicom assault rifle during an evaluation test is Second Lieutenant David Sabben.

The weapon was captured by D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during the battle of Long Tan Image reproduced courtesy of the Australian War Memorial (CUN_67_0022_VN)

NOVEMBER 2023-24 REMEMBRANCE 47

Lieutenant General Sir Stanley George Savige, KBE, CB, DSO, MC, ED, who founded Legacy in Melbourne in 1923 Image reproduced courtesy of Legacy

LEGACY

For 100 years, Legacy has kept its promise to help the families of Defence Force veterans.

This milestone was commemorated recently with the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay, which travelled from Europe and through all Australian states and territories before being returned to the Eternal Flame at the Shrine of Remembrance.

A Centenary of Service to Veterans’ Families TIM CANSFIELD-SMITH

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egacy stands proudly as the only veteran service organisation in Australia dedicated solely to the care and support of the families of veterans. Founded in Melbourne in 1923 by servicemen returned from the First World War, Legacy has kept a simple promise for 100 years — to look after the families of veterans who have lost their life or health in service to our country in the Defence Force.

This year, Legacy marked a centenary of service to the families of veterans, a highlight of which was The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, presented by Defence Health.

The Torch Relay began on Anzac Day at the site of the First World War battlefield of Pozieres, France.

After leaving Pozieres, the Torch Relay received a royal welcome by His Royal Highness King Charles III when it visited Buckingham Palace, marking the start of its journey though London before leaving for Australia to visit all Legacy Clubs.

48 NOVEMBER 2023-24 REMEMBRANCE

The Torch travelled 55,000 km over six months, making 112 stops with 1,500 Torch bearers.

Legacy family will always be part of her life when she needs friendship or support.

One such Torch bearer was young war widow and former Legacy beneficiary, Annabelle, whose husband, Josh, served in the Royal Australian Airforce in Afghanistan.

Josh returned from Afghanistan in April 2008 and in June 2008 he was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Tragically, after a ten-year battle, Josh lost his fight with cancer and passed away in November 2017, just three short months before their daughter Primrose was born.

On 12 October, Annabelle carried the Legacy Centenary Torch as it travelled through the Melbourne CBD for the Melbourne leg of the relay. The next day, in the finale of the Relay, the torch made its final journey from Legacy House on Swanston Street back to the Shrine of Remembrance. The flame that travelled from Europe and through all Australian states and territories was returned to the Eternal Flame at the Shrine by the Governor General of Australia.

Not long after, Legacy stepped in and assisted Annabelle to undertake study and upskill for a new job by helping with childcare payments for baby Primrose. Annabelle is now on the path to self-sufficiency and extremely proud of Josh’s service to his country and his courage in the face of his illness. Sadly, Primrose will never get to meet her father, but her

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay finished with a moving commemoration ceremony at the Shrine, attended by Legacy beneficiaries, Legatees, members of the Australian Defence Force, government representatives and Legacy supporters.

About Legacy

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egacy is one of Australia’s oldest and most trusted charities, providing personalised support and services to the families of veterans of the Australian Defence Force who have given their lives or health for our country. The first Legacy Club was set up in Melbourne in 1923 by Sir Stanley Savige and other servicemen returned from World War I.

Legacy still cares for tens of thousands of widows and widowers who have lost their loved ones and been affected by their partner’s service in war and peacekeeping operations across the globe. Over 40 Legacy Clubs across Australia continue to work to ensure veterans’ families receive the support they deserve.

Whether it is by providing emergency financial aid, advocacy with pensions and other entitlements, education grants for veterans’ children or helping families deal with the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Legacy provides families with the tools and support needed to rebuild their lives despite their loss.

Shrine of Remembrance Ceremonial Programs Manager Dale Capron returns the Legacy Centenary Torch to the Eternal Flame as the final torch bearer, the Governor General of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Mrs Hurley (left) look on.

Image reproduced courtesy of Legacy

Young war widow, Annabelle Wilson, carrying the Legacy Centenary Torch through Melbourne in remembrance of her late husband, Josh, who served in the Royal Australian Airforce in Afghanistan.

Image reproduced courtesy of Legacy

Legacy’s Centenary of Service was an important opportunity for Australians to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans and their families and the invaluable contribution of volunteer Legatees and supporters who make Legacy’s work possible.

CLICK HERE

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Discover more information about Legacy, including how to volunteer and donate.

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Tim Cansfield-Smith is Philanthropy and Fundraising Manager for Melbourne Legacy

Australia, and a Melbourne tram in special Legacy livery has already carried thousands of Melbournians and visitors throughout the city where Legacy was founded 100 years ago.

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In addition to the Torch Relay, Legacy’s centenary was marked by Australia Post with a commemorative stamp and the production of a $1 uncirculated coin by the Royal Australian Mint. Many Legacy Centenary Torch Relay events have taken place in communities across

NOVEMBER 2023-24 REMEMBRANCE 49

REMEMBRANCE November 2023-24 Volume 13 ISSN 2209-3826 The Shrine of Remembrance embraces the diversity of our community and acknowledges the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we honour Australian Defence Force service. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present.

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH EVENTS, SERVICES AND EXHIBITIONS AT THE SHRINE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-NEWS

Stories of service and sacrifice may cause distress. If you or someone you know needs help, please make use of the following resources.

Open Arms: Free and confidential, 24/7 national counselling service for Australian veterans and their families, provided through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). Phone: 1800 011 046 Lifeline: Suicide and crisis support. Phone: 13 11 14

Remembrance is published by the Shrine of Remembrance Editorial team Sue Burgess, Sue Curwood, Andrew Sivijs, Carolyn Archibald, Clare O’Connor and Laura Thomas Art Director and Production Manager Janine Dale and Christine Wallace, Paragon Art Special thanks Melissah Crumpton Friends of the Shrine enquiries email friends@shrine.org.au or call 03 9661 8100 © All material appearing in Remembrance is copyright.

Reproduction in whole or part, whether storied in an electronic retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, must be approved by the publisher. Contact programs@ shrine.org.au for approval.

Every effort has been made to determine and contact holders of copyright for materials used in Remembrance.

The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne welcomes advice concerning any omission.

KEY PARTNERS

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Kids Helpline: Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.

Beyond Blue: Free, immediate, short-term counselling advice and referral via telephone, webchat or email 24/7. Phone: 1300 224 636 Suicide Call Back Service: 24-hour counselling service for suicide prevention and mental health. Available via telephone, online and by video for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts. Phone: 1300 659 467

Thank you TO OUR FRIENDS

Your support ensures that we continue to remember service and sacrifice.

BECOME A LIFE MEMBER OF THE SHRINE As a Friends Life Member, your generous commitment helps us to care for the Shrine and deliver our ceremonial services and free educational programs, ensuring future generations continue to honour Australian service and sacrifice.

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Able Seaman Hiram Ristrom at a Last Post Service 26 January 2020 photographer Cormac Hanrahan

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