Shrine of Remembrance facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shrine of Remembrance |
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| Shrine of Remembrance Trustees | |
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Shrine of Remembrance
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| For the Australian soldiers of all wars post World War I | |
| Unveiled | 11 November 1934 |
| Location | 37°49′50.0″S 144°58′24.4″E / 37.830556°S 144.973444°E near Melbourne
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| Designed by | Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop |
The Shrine of Remembrance, often called The Shrine, is a special war memorial in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. You can find it in Kings Domain on St Kilda Road. It was first built to honor the brave men and women from Victoria who served in World War I. Today, it remembers all Australians who have served in any war.
The Shrine is a very important place for two yearly events: ANZAC Day on April 25th and Remembrance Day on November 11th. It is one of the biggest war memorials in all of Australia.
Two architects, Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop, designed the Shrine. Both of them were soldiers in World War I. The building looks like ancient Greek and Roman temples. Its design was inspired by the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.
The Shrine is made from Tynong granite. Inside, there is a special marble stone called the Stone of Remembrance. It has the words "Greater love hath no man" carved into it. Every year, on November 11th at 11:00 AM (Remembrance Day), a ray of sunlight shines through a hole in the roof. It lights up the word "Love" on the stone. Below the main area is a hidden room called the crypt. It holds a bronze statue of a soldier father and son. Panels in the crypt list every unit from the Australian Imperial Force.
The idea for the Shrine started way back in 1918. After many discussions and even some disagreements, the design by Hudson and Wardrop was chosen in 1922. Some people, like newspaper editor Keith Murdoch, thought the design was too grand and expensive. But General Sir John Monash, a famous Australian general, strongly supported building the Shrine. He helped gather public support. The first stone was laid on November 11, 1927. The Shrine was officially opened on November 11, 1934.
Contents
History of the Shrine
How the Idea Started (1918–1922)
Right after World War I ended in 1918, people in Melbourne wanted to build a war memorial. A committee was formed, led by General Sir John Monash. They decided to build a large memorial east of St Kilda Road. This spot would make it easy to see from the city center.
In March 1922, a competition was held to find the best design. Many people sent in their ideas. In December 1923, the design by Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop was chosen. They were both architects from Melbourne and had served in the war.
Challenges and Support (1922–1927)
Even though many liked the winning design, some people did not. Keith Murdoch, who ran The Herald newspaper, was a big critic. He said the Shrine looked "too severe, stiff and heavy" and like a "tomb of gloom." He thought the money should be used for things like a hospital instead. Some churches also didn't like it because it didn't have a cross.
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| Sir John Monash (left) supported the Shrine. Keith Murdoch (right) thought it looked like a "tomb of gloom." | |
Because of these arguments, building the Shrine was delayed. For the 1926 ANZAC Day march, a temporary memorial was put up. This led the government to think about building a permanent one in a different spot.
However, General Monash and the group Legacy still wanted the Shrine. In 1927, Monash gave a powerful speech on the eve of ANZAC Day. He convinced many people to support the Shrine. The next day, Monash led 30,000 veterans in the ANZAC Day march. With so much support, the government finally agreed to build the Shrine.
There was also talk about burying an "Unknown Soldier" at the Shrine. This idea was discussed a lot. But Monash felt it was better for a national memorial, not the Victorian Shrine. Later, the Stone of Remembrance was placed where an Unknown Soldier might have been. An Australian Unknown Soldier was finally buried at the Australian War Memorial in 1993.
Building and Opening (1927–1934)
The first stone of the Shrine was laid on November 11, 1927. This was done by Lord Somers, the Governor of Victoria. Most of the money for the Shrine came from public donations. General Monash was the main person raising these funds.
Monash, who was also an engineer, personally oversaw the building work. Construction started in 1928. Monash passed away in 1931, before the Shrine was finished. But building the Shrine was very important to him in his later years.
The Shrine was completed in September 1934. It was officially opened on November 11, 1934, by the Duke of Gloucester. A huge crowd of over 300,000 people came to watch. This was about a third of Melbourne's population at the time!
After World War II (1945–1985)
After World War II, people felt it was important to add something to remember those who died in that war. New parts were added to the Shrine. These included the World War II Forecourt, a large stone area in front of the Shrine. The Eternal Flame, a gas flame that burns all the time, was also added. There is also a tall memorial called the World War II Memorial. These new parts were opened by Queen Elizabeth II on February 28, 1954.
Later wars, like the Korean War and the Vietnam War, are also remembered at the Shrine. Their names are written on inscriptions.
In 1971, during the Vietnam War, some anti-war protesters painted "PEACE!" on the Shrine's pillars. This showed how important the Shrine was as a place for public feelings.
In 1985, the Remembrance Garden was added. It honors those who served in conflicts after World War II.
Modern Changes (2002–Present)
In the 1990s, people realized there was a lot of empty space under the Shrine. This space was used to create new areas for visitors. In 2003, a new visitor's center and other facilities were opened. This made it easier for older veterans and their families to visit.
More changes were made later. In 2014, new exhibition spaces called the "Galleries of Remembrance" were opened. A special item in these galleries is a lifeboat from the ship SS Devanha. This boat was used during the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915.
What the Shrine Looks Like
The Shrine was built using materials from Australia. The main stone is granodiorite from Tynong. Inside, the walls are made of sandstone from Redesdale. The black marble columns come from Buchan.
Outside the Shrine
The Shrine's design is like ancient buildings. It has a square shape with a stepped pyramid roof. You can enter from the north and south through large doorways with eight columns. These columns support a triangular part with sculptures. Wide steps lead up to the platform where the Shrine stands.
At each corner of the Shrine, there are four groups of statues. These statues represent Peace, Justice, Patriotism, and Sacrifice. They were made by Paul Raphael Montford.
Around the outside of the Shrine, there are 16 stone discs. These discs show the names of important battles where Australians fought. Some of these battles include Anzac (Gallipoli), Rumani, and Amiens.
Inside the Shrine
Inside the Shrine is a large, open room called the Sanctuary. It has a high, arched ceiling. Sixteen tall columns support a decorated band with twelve sculptures. These sculptures show soldiers and sailors at work during World War I.
In the middle of the Sanctuary is the Stone of Remembrance. This marble stone is set into the floor. You have to bow your head to read the words carved on it:
These words are from the Bible (John 15:13). They mean "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." A ray of sunlight hits the word "LOVE" on the stone at 11:00 AM on November 11th. This marks the exact time World War I ended. A mirror is now used to make sure the light hits the stone at the right time.
On the western wall of the Shrine, there is another important message. It was written by General Monash and says:
This message reminds everyone that the Shrine is a sacred place. It honors the strength and sacrifice of the Australian people.
Around the Sanctuary is a walkway called the ambulatory. Along this walkway are 42 bronze boxes. These boxes hold special hand-written books. These Books of Remembrance list the names of every Victorian who joined the Australian Imperial Force in World War I.
The Crypt
Below the Sanctuary is the Crypt. Here you will find a bronze statue of a father and son. They represent the two generations who fought in the two world wars. Around the walls are panels that list every unit of the Australian Imperial Force. You can also see the flags of different battalions and regiments.
Visitor Centre
Visitors enter the Shrine through the Entrance Courtyard. One wall has "Lest We Forget" written on it. Another wall has a quote from Sir William Deane, a former Governor-General. The Garden Courtyard has an Legacy Olive Tree. Both courtyards are made of Tynong Granite.
The Gallery of Medals has a very long wall, about 40 meters (130 feet) long. It displays about 4,000 medals. Each medal stands for 100 Victorians who served in wars and peacekeeping. Six of these medals represent those who died. A special medal here is the Victoria Cross. It was given to Captain Robert Grieve for his bravery in the Battle of Messines in 1917.
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World War II Forecourt
The cenotaph is a tall stone pillar made of Harcourt granite. It has the names of the defense forces and the places they served in wars. On top of the cenotaph is a sculpture of six soldiers carrying a body covered by the Australian flag. This sculpture shows how much the living owe to the dead.
The Eternal Flame burns nearby. It represents life that never ends. This flame has been burning almost constantly since it was first lit.
On the other side of the forecourt are three flagpoles. Usually, the Australian flag is on the left, the Victorian flag in the middle, and one of the flags of the three defense forces on the right. Other flags might be flown on special days.
Remembrance Garden
The Remembrance Garden has a pool and a waterfall. A granite wall lists the names of conflicts and peacekeeping missions Australia has been part of since World War II. These include Kuwait (Gulf War) and East Timor.
Shrine Reserve and Area
The Shrine is located in a large park called Kings Domain. Over the years, many other war memorials have been built here. These include the Australian-Hellenic Memorial, which remembers Australian and Greek soldiers. There are also statues of important figures like Monash and Blamey.
Many trees along the paths to the Shrine have plaques. These plaques remember specific Army units, naval ships, or Air Force squadrons. An older memorial for Victorians who died in the Second Boer War (1899–1902) is also nearby.
The Driver and Wipers Memorial is also in the Shrine park. It remembers the many Australian lives lost in the fighting at Ypres in World War I. "Wipers" was how soldiers said "Ypres." The bronze statues were made by Charles Sargeant Jagger. They were moved to the Shrine in 1998.
Near the Shrine entrance is the Legacy Garden of Appreciation. This garden was started in 1978. Red Flanders Poppies bloom here in late spring. A sculpture called Widow and Children is also in the garden. The Women's Garden, north of the Shrine, has concrete memorial violets among jacaranda trees.
A Lone Pine tree was planted in 1933 near the Shrine. It grew from a seed from a pine cone brought back from Gallipoli. The original tree was removed in 2012 due to disease. A "grandchild tree" was planted nearby in 2006.
Commemorative Services
Since it opened in 1934, the Shrine has been the main place for war remembrance in Melbourne. While Remembrance Day (November 11) is the official day to remember war dead, ANZAC Day (April 25) has become even more important. ANZAC Day is a special Australian and New Zealand day of remembrance.
On ANZAC Day, several ceremonies take place at the Shrine.
- The Dawn Service is held early in the morning. In 2007, over 35,000 people attended.
- Afterward, officials lay wreaths in the Sanctuary.
- Later, the ANZAC Day March goes past the Shrine.
- A special commemoration service is held in the early afternoon.
On Remembrance Day, leaders and community members gather to remember those who died or suffered in all wars. Everyone observes a minute of silence at 11:00 AM. At this moment, the Ray of Light shines on the word LOVE on the Stone of Remembrance.
Throughout the year, other ceremonies and wreath-laying services are held. These are often organized by groups of veterans.
How the Shrine is Managed
The Shrine is managed by the Shrine of Remembrance Trustees. These are ten people chosen by the Victorian Government. They are in charge of taking care of the Shrine and its parkland.
In the past, security for the Shrine was provided by the Shrine Guard. These were men with military backgrounds. The first twelve members had even won bravery medals in World War I. Now, the Shrine Guard works with the Victoria Police Protective Service. When the Shrine is open, they wear a uniform that looks like an Australian Light Horseman from World War I.
See also
In Spanish: Shrine of Remembrance para niños
