Australian War Memorial

One thing that I like about Australia is having a similar building or structure if not in all cities but on its major cities, so tourist can see and visit the place to appreciate and to enjoy wherever you are in the country. I remembered the same concept also exist in Canada,  they have structures that can be found in some cities as well. A good example is Telus World of Science, a museum where I visited one in Edmonton and saw from a distance in Vancouver. Another example is Provincial Legislature Building exist in Alberta and British Columbia, and in other provinces of Canada.

Based on my observation while traveling around Australia, arcade building is one good example of a structure that can be found in major cities of the country. These arcades are historical buildings which showcases how grandeur the building was during earlier years and portrays its notable 19th century interior design that can make everyone feel to be back in old times. In relation to arcades, I perceived Queen Victoria Building as the mother of all historical arcades in Australia. I explained why in my previous post.

How about for the memorial structure that intended to honor and remember the Australian heroes that fought for the peace that Australian currently enjoying nowadays? In relation to this, I looked at Australian War Memorial as the father of all peace or remembrance structure in the country. During my stay in Australia I visited two(2) structures that significantly honors and remembers the heroes that served for the country’s peace. One was Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne and the one that I will be focusing in this post is The Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The group tour that I joined that day visited the structure after coming from Mount Ainslie Lookout.

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Australian War Memorial – looks so far from Parliament House Rooftop

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Australian War Memorial (with dome), just at the bottom of base of Mount Ainslie

The first time I saw the building for real was at the time I was at the rooftop of Parliament House in that same day I visited the memorial museum, the structure is noticeable even from a far distance. I got a clear visibility of it, while we were at Mount Ainslie Lookout where anyone get noticed that the building is a cross structure with a dome in the middle. And when we arrived at the building itself, I can sense immediately the solemn ambiance that surrounds the building. The external design of the building signifies how these heroes are important to Australian and I honestly admired them the way they honor and respect these people.

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Australian War Memorial from Memorial Grounds

Due to limited time in the building since it was our last place in the day tour’s itinerary and near for closing time, I wasn’t able to see all of the parts of the memorial but I still tried my best to capture photos inside the building. Apology at some of the photos are not as clear, at the time of the trip, I used iPhone 4 and Panasonic digital camera.

Here are some of the photos that I was able to capture while visiting Australian War Memorial:

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Mosquito – Wooden Wonder Aircraft

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Cockpit Simulator – used to train pilots without experience in flying

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Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero Fighter V-173 –  best know Japanese aircraft in World War II

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Kittyhawk – aircraft named Polly after its regular pilot’s sweetheart, a mainstay of the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) during World War II

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Hawker Sea Fury – fighter bomber, one of the last propeller driven naval aircraft to see action

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G for George – Avro Lancaster bomber, survived the disastrous raid in Nuremberg in 1944 and some toughest mission over Germany, France and Italy

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Anti-aircarft searchlight projector – used to detects enemies aircraft

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HMAS Sydney Gun – One of the eight six-inch guns which took part against SMS Emden

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HMAS Sydney Stern – patrolled in North Sea in 1917 and present for the German surrender at Scapa in 1918

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Ship’s Telegraph – engine telegraph from SMS Emden

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Morshead in Africa – 3 ton truck, with caravan body, a mobile command post and  living quarters

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MiG-15 bis – Soviet Union produced, with modern jet-fighter powered by British-designed engine

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Mustang – used in Korean War as fighter and ground attack aircraft

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LePkw Type 82 Kubelwagen

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Chevrolet lorry and Breda anti-aircraft gun

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“Kriegies” hut – Joe Kibling captured in Greece and called as Kriegies, this house up to 20 men

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Anti-tank gun – gunner used near in Gemas and Bakri in 1942

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1940 Studebaker Commander Sedan with gas producer

Below are other exhibits found in the memorial but I wasn’t able to identify its name

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Before we end the tour in the building, there was Last Post ceremony being held at Commemorative Area wherein the memorial bids farewell to the visitors with the ceremony with singing of the Australian National Anthem, followed by a sound of the piper. Some visitors put some flowers as tributes besides the Pool of Reflection, then a story of one of the names listed in the Honor Roll will be told, followed by Ode recitation and ended by sound of Last Post. A ceremony that I witnessed that shows recognition and respect to the heroes of Australians.

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Last Post Ceremony

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–RSL (Returned and Services League)

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My country’s name found in Commemorative area which is allied of Australia specifically during Second World War

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Before leaving the memorial, I saw from the main entrance of the structure the scenery towards Parliament House, old and current one.

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Australian War Memorial – the last snapshots before leaving the memorial and before ending my day tour in Canberra.

Queen Victoria Women’s Centre – Vestige of Old Hospital But Now A Women’s Pride

Another more than century old and historical building that I had a chance to tour during Open House Melbourne event last July 2013 was Queen Victoria Women’s Centre. It was built in 1848 as Melbourne Hospital and undergone different era (different names) which become part of the colorful history.

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Here’s a bit history of the building.

Former “The Melbourne Hospital”

When it was opened in 1848, the building become older than the Victoria state since Victoria just separated from New South Wales in 1851. Even though started on its humble beginnings, the hospital grew and become the famous The Royal Melbourne Hospital.

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Old The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Photo courtesy of The Royal Melbourne Hospital Organization

Former “The Royal Melbourne Hospital” (1912-1944)

Melbourne Hospital has been rebuilt due to demands are growing tremendously as the city of Melbourne became populous. After it was rebuilt, the building changed its name to The Royal Melbourne Hospital. At that time, the hospital occupied the entire city block bound by Swanston, Lonsdale, Russell and Little Lonsdale Streets which shows how the hospital is really huge shown from photo above.

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Entire Block has been occupied

Former “The Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital” (1944-1987)

When The Royal Melbourne Hospital move to another site, the building was occupied by The Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital wherein based in history, the work pioneered were more on women’s and children’s health.

Current “Queen Victoria Women’s Centre” (1986 – present)

The only building left which supposed to be for demolition is Queen Victoria Women’s Centre. The rest of the building has refurbished and become commercial space. The building still standing today because women in Victoria fight and claim the site. And with that I got a chance to see this building that main goal is all for women like me.

The Building Tour

I was walking along Lonsdale Street to see if I can still discover another building before I end my Saturday. And there I found Queen Victoria Women’s Centre. It attracted me as I thought that its another historical building based on its exterior design. I crossed the road and went inside the building.

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Queen Victoria Women’s Centre

I decided to visit the building as I know that I had more than an hour left before the event be over for the day. During the open house event, the building’s ground floor, rooftop and 4th level with balcony had been open to the public.

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At the hallway, I found exhibits in both sides to enjoy. Then, I went straight to the rooftop as I followed other visitors. It still kind of refreshing to be in a rooftop of the building again even though I had been in Council House 2 rooftop, though QVWC (Queen Victoria Women’s Centre) has just 4 floors and not so high, visitors and myself still enjoyed the scenery. At the rooftop I saw the dome of State Library of Victoria not far from the building,  some view of the city from the top and the two cupolas of the building.

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State Library of Victoria Dome

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Cupolas closely visible at the rooftop

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Street View

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At the Rooftop

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4th Level of QVWC – The Original Ward

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Model of the building

After touring the building, I ended my day with lots of learning and discovery. This is one of the reasons I love Melbourne, the city has rich history through its building. The event helped me understand how the city developed to the way it is now.

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Queen Victoria Women’s Centre

Notes:

1. Plan to visit Queen Victoria Women’s Centre ?
Address : 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, Australia

Ground Floor with Exhibits are open to public during opening hours 9:00am – 5:00pm / Mon – Fri

If you really wanted to see other parts of the building for free, the right opportunity is during Open House Melbourne which happens in one weekend of July every year, to check if the building is participating in Open House Melbourne event please check here.

2. Public Transportation Ticket – Use Myki (Melbourne Ticketing System), please check here for more details.

3. Directions

Using tram

Use tramTracker Apps or even just Google Maps (use directions) and there are tram routes available
Route: 1, 3/3a, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67, 72 –> get off at Stop 10 Bourke Street Mall/Bourke Street or Stop 8 Melbourne Central Station Route

Using train

Visit the official Public Transport Victoria website to be able to use the Journey Planner for the next train schedule.

Ride from any station and get off at Flinders Street Station or Melbourne Central Station

From Flinders Street Station, get off at St Kilda Road Exit and continue walking along Swanston Street and turned right at Lonsdale Street, walk few more meters and the building can be found.

From Melbourne Central Station, get off at Swantons Street Exit and continue walking along Swanston Street and turned left at Lonsdale Street, walk few more meters and the building can be found.

Structure : Cairns Memorial Presbyterian Church

Structure (Post#6) : Cairns Memorial Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian church built in 1895 but due to fire happened in 1988 where the shell of the building are the only remains, it was converted into luxury apartments. Photo is part of East Melbourne Historical Houses and Building Collection 2013.

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Structure : Shrine of Remembrance

Structure (Post#5) : Shrine of Remembrance

Shrine of Remembrance is the National Memorial War of Victoria, dedicated initially to people who served in armed conflicts such as war. But presently, the shrine also used to commemorate the people who are even in active duty to serve the country. The snapshots captured last July 2013, as part of my photo collection of the shrine.

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Note:
Another post related to shrine showing about my walking tour in this magnificent memorial structure.

5 Captivating Facts about Shrine of Remembrance – Melbourne Walking Tour – Part 8

Well, it’s more than a month since the last time I published my last article here. Got been busy and in other things of my life and never got a chance to write my travel adventure recently. To start with since this is my first travel post for the year 2017, I would like to greet everyone a great new year where it’s very traditional to start a new. I know all of you guys out there has at least something to start off and same with me here, I hope all of us has a brand and blessed new year.

For this article, I had already drafted this last year, more than two months ago but I never got a chance to finished it immediately. This post still a continuation of my walking tour adventure in Melbourne which happened more than 3 years ago. I am writing this to remember all the places that I visited in one of the city that I lived for a time being before it will be gone to my memory either because of time passing or because of ageing, and without further ado, here it is.

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One of the interesting and distinguishable structure to see along St Kilda Road not far from Melbourne CBD is Shrine of Remembrance.

Shrine of Remembrance is one of my interest to visit and explore while in Melbourne, not only because of its noticeable architectural design but because some history of Australia can be discovered inside the building. Even though I used to pass the building in my daily travel, I wasn’t able to visit it immediately until I decided to explore it one day in July 2013.

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Shrine of Remembrance

During the time of my visit, some portion of the building are not accessible due to renovations happening for the preparation of ANZAC centennial anniversary.

Here are the following interesting facts to learn about Shrine of Remembrance at the time of my visit.

1. Built in 1928 to 1934

Its take a while before the construction has been started after the design competition of the building happened in 1922. There was even controversy happened regarding its design which resolved by General Sir John Monash. And one thing that interest me for its construction was the fund used to build the shrine where it came from donations from people and from government.

Historically, the shrine was objectively built to commemorate the Victorian volunteers fought in World War I (1914-1918). Learning this fact earns a respect to me for Victorian people in Australia because they really showed through this building how they gave high regards, values and respects to those people who served and died for war. At present time, the building also serves to honor the people in service for the country.

2. Gallery of Medals – Displaying 4000 Medals

I arrived in the building a bit earlier before the scheduled free tour that I joined in the afternoon that day. While waiting, I came across the part of the gallery that shows different medals, they call it Gallery of Medals or Wall of Medals. In the wall, it mentioned over 4000 replica service medals with different titles of the awards.

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Section of the Gallery of Medals

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Different Titles of Medal Awards

3. Remembrance Day – November 11 at 11 AM

On the free tour that I joined, there is an important thing that I learned which was part of my curiosity that has been answered. Aside from ANZAC celebration which being done every year in the shrine, another important day is remembered in the shrine which they call it as Remembrance Day. The day is the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the time of the Armistice which ended World War 1 in 1918, a very meaningful day in the history of world.

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Stone of Remembrance at the Sanctuary

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Great Stepped Pyramidal Dome

Ray of Light from small aperture of the pyramid ceiling which falls directly at the Stone of Remembrance

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Marble Ionic Columns

4. Inspired by Ancient Greek Mausoleum and Temple

By looking at the building structure and its design, anyone can immediately noticed that its somewhat ancient and unique. The reason behind it was because Shrine of Remembrance has been inspired by Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and Parthenon in Athens where both are significant in world history of architecture.

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5. Designed by World War I Veterans and Architects

This point really amazes me. The architects of the building were Philip B. Hudson and James H. Wardrop from Melbourne who won in the competition happened in 1922 were actual veterans itself whom returned soldier from war. I can sense how these architects understands the rightful honor and respects to give to the people who served the country not only in war but even at home.

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The following facts above are not the only things to discover in the building, there are more to discover and I leave it to your curiosity to discover it. For people who enjoy history, I can recommend its one for you, so if you have a chance to see the Shrine of Remembrance while visiting Melbourne, it’s a worth to visit.

Below are the other things to enjoy while walking around Shrine of Remembrance.

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To the Balconies

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Ceremonial Avenue looking towards Melbourne City

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View from the Balconies (towards St Kilda and towards the city)

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Pyramidal Dome

Flags

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL (includes Forecourt, Cenotaph, Eternal Flame and flagpoles)

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Cenotaph

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Eternal Flame

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Flagpoles

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Forecourt

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Notes:
1. Plan to visit Shrine of Remembrance ? – Please check latest information here
2. Free Guided Tour available – Please check Guided Tours
3. Public Transportation Ticket – Use Myki (Melbourne Ticketing System), please check here for more details
4. Directions to Shrine of Remembrance (Melbourne) :
Use tramTracker Apps or even just Google Maps (use directions) and there are 8 tram routes available (Route: 3/3a, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67, 72) and get off at Stop 19 – Shrine of Remembrance.
If you don’t have smart phone to download Apps, I recommend to go to Visitors Center at Federation Square and get one of the Yarra Tram brochure where you can find all tram routes in Melbourne.

Arts and Craft : World War II Memorial – Cenotaph Sculpture By George Allen

Arts and Craft (Post#3) : World War II Memorial – Cenotaph Sculpture By George Allen

Within the area of Shrine of Remembrance, there are lots of sculpture are displayed which depicts the bravery and brotherhood of soldiers at war. This sculpture at the top of the Cenotaph which stands at the forecourt captured my attention and admired it more when I discovered that the statuary shows six men in the uniforms of the three Australian services – Navy, Army, and Air Force carrying a bier on which lies the figure of the dead comrade draped with Australian National Flag. It symbolizes the debt of the living to the dead, the eternal bond between the fallen and those who enjoy the fruits of their sacrifice.

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Chromatic Outlook : Australian War Memorial

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Chromatic Outlook (Post#6): Australian War Memorial

Australian War Memorial is Australia’s national memorial to remember its military forces and other supporting forces who died for its country. I had a chance to visit this place last June 2013 when I visited Canberra which is the Australian Capital City (called as Australian Capital Territory).

This post has been updated to add the link of and to participate in the following:
Black and White View – May 2, 2016
Black and White Wednesday – May 4, 2016
The Weekend in Black and White – May 6, 2016