Sir John Monash Centre facts for kids
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| Established | 16 April 2018 |
|---|---|
| Location | Villers-Bretonneux, Somme, France |
| Type | Museum |
| Architect | Cox Architecture with Williams, Abrahams and Lampros |
The Sir John Monash Centre is a special museum in France. It helps us remember the brave Australian soldiers who fought in the First World War. This war happened a long time ago, from 1914 to 1918.
The centre is in northern France, near a village called Villers-Bretonneux. It is built right behind the Villers–Bretonneux Australian National Memorial. This memorial is a place to honor the soldiers. The museum is also inside a military cemetery, which is a burial ground for soldiers. The Sir John Monash Centre first opened its doors in April 2018.
The Story Behind the Centre
The idea for a special Australian visitor centre in France started a long time ago. The Australian Government first thought about it in 1998. The plan was put on hold for a while, but it came back eight years later.
The design for the Sir John Monash Centre was shown to the public in 2015. This was on April 26, the day after Anzac Day. Anzac Day is a very important day in Australia and New Zealand. It remembers all soldiers who have served their country. The design was chosen after a big competition. A company called Cox Architecture won the competition.
The centre is named after a famous Australian leader, General Sir John Monash. He was a brilliant general who led Australian soldiers in 1918. The Australian Government paid for the centre, which cost about A$100 million. The centre opened in 2018. This year was special because it marked 100 years since the end of the First World War.
Grand Opening Ceremony
The Sir John Monash Centre welcomed its first visitors on April 16, 2018. A few days later, on April 24, there was a big official opening. The Australian Prime Minister at the time, Malcolm Turnbull, spoke at the event.
He said the centre shows how thankful Australia is for its soldiers. He also said that the best way to honor the soldiers from 1918 is to support today's service members and their families.
The French Prime Minister, Édouard Philippe, was also there. He thanked the Australian soldiers, often called "diggers." He said that 100 years ago, a brave young nation from far away helped write France's history. He also mentioned that General Monash's smart plans helped the Allied forces win the war.
What You See Inside
The Sir John Monash Centre is built partly underground. It has a roof covered with grass. This design helps it blend in with the landscape. One of the architects, Joe Agius, said it's "almost an anti-building." This means it doesn't stand out too much. It connects to the war memorial in a quiet, respectful way.
Inside the museum, there is a large artwork called Morning Star. It is a tapestry, which is a woven picture. This beautiful piece was made by Australian artists Lyndell Brown and Charles Green. It hangs in the museum's main entrance area.
The centre uses modern technology to tell the story of Australian soldiers on the Western Front. Visitors can use a special app on their mobile phones. This app acts like a "virtual tour guide." It helps them explore the museum, the military cemetery, and the Australian National Memorial.
The Sir John Monash Centre is part of a bigger project called the Australian Remembrance Trail. This trail connects many important places for Australians along the Western Front. These places include old battlefields, cemeteries, and other memorials.
