ckb_shrine_of_rememberance

 Homepage | What is a landmark | Federation Square | Eureka Tower | Royal Exhibition Building | Shrine of Remembrance | Flinders St Station | Crown Casino | Survey | Mindmap | Bibliography | Reflections | Conclusion **Shrine of Remembrance** The Shrine of Remembrance is a memorial to commemorate those who fought and lost their lives in wars. It is a remarkable place, instantly recognised around Australia. It is one of Australia's most thought about and impressive war memorials. Each year some of the most important commemorative events are held there, such as the Dawn Service on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day. It is located on Melbourne's most famous boulevard, St Kilda Road. This symbolic memorial is visible from all directions and has a beautiful view of the city skyline. The idea for a war memorial was first proposed to the Victorian government in November 1918 after the First World War ended. It was instantly approved and a committee was formed in August 1921 to oversee the design and construction. In March 1922 the committee organised a competition for the design of the memorial and a total of eighty-three entries was submitted. In December 1923 and the winning contestant was announced as the joint entry from Melbourne architects Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop.

Much debate was had about the Shrine. When the Labor government took over in 1924, they were heavily supportive of the idea of building a memorial hospital instead. Many newspapers and members of the public were involved and made their views clear. People believed the money allocated for the construction could have been better used elsewhere. Many ideas were proposed, but after a vote placed in front of the executive council, the Shrine was voted for. The foundation stone was laid on November 11th, 1927. The structure was then built between July 1928 and November 1934, much of the funding coming from the Victorian and Commonwealth governments and public contributions. The Shrine of Remembrance was officially opened in November 1934 in front of a crowd of 300,000 people by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester and son of King George V. In past years much protest been against the memorial thinking it's a glorification of military exploits when actually it is remembrance of sacrifice. On the eve of Anzac day 1971 a shrine guard was bashed and pillars of the memorial were dubbed world peace. This was a time of great debate and upheaval because of the controversial involvement of Australia in the Vietnam War. The shrine has many attractions within its boundaries, these being; the Visitor Centre, World War II forecourt, Remembrance Garden, Sanctuary and Ambulatory, Crypt and the Shrine Reserve.

The Visitor Centre is an unforgettable experience providing information on the significance of sacrifice and traditions of the armed services. The centre does this by exhibiting a garden, entrance courtyard and a gallery of medals. The Second World War forecourt replaced the reflecting pool which was a part of the original design. It holds the External Flame, the Cenotaph and three Flagpoles. The External Flame sits in front of the Cenotaph, a twelve and half metre high pillar, resembling six men in different armed forces carrying a bier (coffin) in which lies a dead comrade. The three Flagpoles show the Australian, State and Service flags. The Remembrance garden was established in 1985 recognising those who fought in conflicts after World War II. The names of all the wars are engraved on the stone wall. The heart of the Shrine is referred to as the Sanctuary and the Ambulatory surrounds it. This is a place of great significance. One event, which is an amazing and spiritual monument is when a ray of light that falls on the word "love" which is on a sacred stone. It illuminates this word every year at 11 am on the November 11th, Remembrance Day. It also holds the Stone Of Remembrance, a marble stone sunk below the pavement which is not allowed to be touched and has an inspiring message: " GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN". Surrounding the Ambulatory and Sanctuary are twelve carved panels showing the armed services at work in World War I.

The Crypt is an astonishing eight metres below the Sanctuary containing sovereign and regimental colours and bronze panels recording the army and navy personnel who served in WW1 and the Royal Australian Navy ships lost at sea. Last is the Shrine Reserve, the remarkable thirteen hectare land featuring many memorials. The Gallipoli memorial, arguably the most stunning, holds the well known statue of a man and his donkey; John Simpson and his donkey Duffy famous for saving many lives in World War I. Another significant place within the Shrine Reserve is the Driver and Wipers; two statues, one of a man who drove royal artillery and another of the battlefield of France which claimed thousands of Australian lives in World War I.

Annually, Remembrance Day and the Anzac Day Dawn Service are commemorated. On both these days we pay tribute with a minute's silence, play numerous songs on the trumpet including the "First Post" and the "Last Post", read out inspiring poems such as "Flanders Fields" and show emotional movies of the times at war.

This striking memorial is perhaps one of Melbourne's most prestigious icons. It attracts thousands of people yearly to reflect and remember the sacrifice that the men and women of Australia made in wars. It is one of the most visited memorials in the whole of Australia and is one of the largest war memorials in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a major highlight for tourists and can be quiet emotional. Thanks to the Shrine it has put Melbourne on the tourist hotspot.

Josh