The AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

The AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL in Canberra should be on all Australians bucket list. It is a National treasure and one we should all visit at least once. We feel we were so lucky to be there at the Dawn Service marking 100 years to the date of the first landings on the shores of Gallipoli. It was a very special morning and one our family will never forget. It was forecast for rain and very chilly that morning but the skies were clear and although cool, it was bearable. We joined the procession of 120,000 people, to listen to the service which commenced at 4.30am. Listening to the excerpts which were read from letters and diaries of 3 Australian soldiers who experienced the war first hand, gave you chills down your spine and tears welled up in the eyes of so many. As the lights went out, silence fell. In the darkness the didgeridoo filled the air to mark the beginning of the service. I have never heard it sound so sweet. The service itself was remarkable. Then as dawn broke over the mountain range behind the Memorial and cenotaph, the bugle call began the Last Post to mark the end of the service. I think all Australian’s know the Last Post. We all grow up learning about the significance of ANZAC Day and hearing the bugle play for the last time is the most touching moment of all. The Australian War Memorial is open every day of the year except for Christmas Day. No matter what time of year you attend, this place is captivating and a place like no other. My suggestion would be to allow 2 days to factor in the Memorial and the Parade itself. There is just so much to see, read and learn about. The War Memorial itself is a spiritual place. With many different war exhibits, collections and artefacts, family records, the Roll of Honour and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier who fought in WW1 and who was brought home to lay to rest. The War Memorial is over 3 levels with Ground, Upper and Lower floors. There are ramps and elevators for ease and accessibility. The Kids Discovery Centre was a huge hit with our 2 little ones. Located on the lower level floor, it’s a hands-on section in the war memorial. There are many types of dress ups, a helicopter the kids can climb into and play, a submarine to also explore and there is the trenches which they can feel first-hand what it might have been like to be a soldier with the lanterns in the walls, the riffles in their rigs above which had mirrors to find their target, and the personal effects on display which each soldier would have had in their possession. Things like photos of loved ones, postcards of their home town, a razor, a cigarette case, matches, a diary etc. Unfortunately, after such a very long day, our two were very tired. We visited the cenotaph and admired the exquisite wreaths which were placed earlier that day, the Roll of Honour, a sight unto itself. The walls filled with red poppies against many of the names of our fallen soldiers. We then walked to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Here we lay our poppies to show our respect. It was time to go but before we left, I popped into the gift shop in the hope to find something which signified the day. Unfortunately, I only found a commemorative coin (collector’s edition with only 500 made). Instead they have a wide range of memorabilia from t-shirts, caps and jewellery to porcelain plates and collectors’ items in the special glass cases. All proceeds of sales do stay with the Australian War Memorial which I think is very worthy. I ended up buying the kids a souvenir each of ‘Simpson and his Donkey’ and 4 pins (2 poppies and 2 WW1 commemorative pins). This was slightly disappointing. The very next day was our home day. But before we were back on the road, we went for the walk up ANZAC Parade (this time in the light of the morning). It was overcast but no rain thankfully. There is pay parking just around the corner in Russell and is a great place to start the walk. Each War Memorial is unique and dedicated to a particular war or unit. They are located on each side of the Parade with the War Memorial at one end and at the other, in the distance is Parliament House. Day or night, they are all a work of Art in their own right. Many are sculptural beauties. Allow yourself 2 full hours to walk, admire and read many of the excerpts which feature on each memorial. I found the Vietnam War memorial the most touching and sculpturally striking. Reading passages off the wall, you could hear the words and envisage the times - here are some… “More than 750,000 men turned 20 during the years of the war…a ballet - with marbles spun in a barrel was used to help select those for conscription.” “Then someone called out ‘contact’ and the bloke behind me swore, we hooked in there for hours, then a god – almighty roar, Frankie had kicked a mine the day mankind kicked the moon, god help me, he is going home in June.” “Throw Smoke – I see Green – Affirmation” “Our Family found itself divided over Vietnam” “We must learn to understand”. Another Memorial which I also found similarly moving was in memory of the “Australian Service Nurses whose supreme sacrifice courage and devotion were inspiring to those for whom they so willingly risked their lives.” More moving words … “they came to us from the trenches, their muddy clothing frozen on them.” “Oblivious to fatigue, to hunger or any need of sleep.” “Not now, tomorrow”.