More than one million people have visited the Shrine of Remembrance for a third year straight – proving that Victorians are as engaged as ever with our nation’s wartime history.
Since 1934, Victorians have come together at the Shrine to honour the fallen, and to learn more about our national story.
The Shrine’s Galleries of Remembrance, school programs, touring exhibitions and commemorative services each play an important role in engaging our community on the sacrifice of our servicemen and women.
Strong attendances were recorded throughout the year at the Shrine during ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services, as well as the Centenary of the Battle of Beersheba, the 75-year anniversary of the Kokoda campaign and the Darwin Defenders, which remembered the day war arrived on Australian soil.
The Shrine’s travelling exhibitions, such as the Indigenous Australians at War national tour of Australia continues to attract outstanding visitation.
Next year, the Shrine will run a series of programs marking the 100-year anniversary of the signing of the Armistice and the cessation of hostilities of the First World War.
This is coupled with the launch of the Shrine’s refreshed Recent Conflicts Gallery, which tells the remarkable personal stories of veterans and current men and women serving in the Australian Defence Force.
The Andrews Labor Government provided a record $2.8 million boost in this year’s Budgetto help the Shrine deliver the programs that teach our students Victoria’s proud wartime history.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Veterans John Eren
“It’s wonderful to see so many families, students and visitors honouring Victoria’s heroes at one of our most iconic landmarks.”
“We’re proud to give the Shrine and all its volunteers the support they need to attract even more visitors and educate more Victorians than ever before.”
Quote attributable to Shrine of Remembrance Chief Executive Officer Dean Lee
“It is fitting that the stories of service and sacrifice that lie at the heart of the Anzac legend continue to attract record numbers of Australian and international visitors to the Shrine.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020