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 Australian soldiers who fought in World War One. The centre is located near Villers-Bretonneux, a village in northern France. It sits right behind the Villers–Bretonneux Australian National Memorial and inside a military cemetery. The centre first opened its doors in April 2018.
Why Was the Centre Built?
The Australian Government first thought about building a visitor centre in France in 1998. This idea was put on hold for eight years. In 2015, the design for the Sir John Monash Centre was shown to the public. This happened after a worldwide design competition.
The centre is named after General Sir John Monash. He was a very important leader for the Australian army in 1918. The Australian Government paid for the centre, which cost about A$100 million. It opened in 2018, which was 100 years after World War One ended.
Grand Opening Ceremony
The Sir John Monash Centre welcomed its first visitors on April 16, 2018. The official opening ceremony took place on April 24, 2018. The Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, was there. He said the centre shows how thankful Australia is for its soldiers. He also said that supporting today's soldiers and their families is the best way to honor those from 1918.
The French Prime Minister, Édouard Philippe, also attended. He spoke about the bravery of Australian soldiers. He said that 100 years ago, a young nation helped write France's history. He also mentioned that General Monash's smart plans helped the Allied forces win.
What You Can See and Do
The centre is built partly underground with a grass roof. It is designed to blend in with the war memorial nearby. It is about one thousand square meters in size. One of the architects, Joe Agius, called it "almost an anti-building."
Inside, you can see a large artwork called Morning Star. It is a tapestry created by Australian artists Lyndell Brown and Charles Green. This beautiful artwork hangs in the museum's main entrance.
The centre tells the story of Australian soldiers on the Western Front during World War One. You can use a special app on your phone as a guide. This app helps you explore the museum, the cemetery, and the memorial. It makes your visit interactive and fun.
The Sir John Monash Centre is part of a bigger trail. This trail is called the Australian Remembrance Trail. It connects important places for Australians along the Western Front. These places include battlefields, cemeteries, and other memorials.
