Talks and Lectures

Bomber Command pilots in the Second World War faced horrible odds. With more than half never returning, survival alone was remarkable, but Wing Commander Peter Isaacson’s story goes far beyond that. In this episode of Shrine Stories, we follow Isaacson’s journey of earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses, leading the first Lancaster flight from England to Australia, and even making headlines by flying under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Later, he played a pivotal role in shaping the Shrine of Remembrance into the place we know today.

When we think of war, we often picture the biggest danger being the guns, bombs, and bullets. But until the early 20th century, disease was actually the greatest killer on the battlefield. In several campaigns, illness claimed twice as many lives as enemy fire. During the Second World War, Major Henry Shannon played a critical role in the fight against this hidden enemy. Through innovative inventions and educational posters, he worked to protect Australian troops from the devastating impacts of disease.  In this episode, Major Shannon’s granddaughter, Gabby Walters, explores his ground-breaking work and the legacy he left on the Australian Army Medical Corps.  

Renowned for his bright, whimsical style, artist Dean Bowen is best known for works that bring joy to audiences. But in this episode, we explore a surprising shift. Inside the Shrine’s Galleries hangs Night Flyers, a powerful departure from Bowen’s usual tone. Join us as Dean shares the story behind this work and why he felt compelled to create it.

Nestled in the quiet hills of Yokohama lies a place few Australians know about, yet its story binds us to an important chapter of our past.Yokohama War Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 1,500 Commonwealth service personnel who lost their lives during the Second World War.   But this cemetery tells more than a story of loss. It speaks to reconciliation not only between former enemies, but between the very nations that shaped its creation. The story of the cemetery is shared in the Shrine’s special exhibit Eucalypts of Hodogaya. Join two of the exhibition curators, Professor Anoma Pieris and Athanasios Tsakonas, as we explore how amid the destruction and hostilities, the mission to honour the dead prevailed.   

You've probably heard of the Lone Pine Tree. It's one of the most iconic symbols in the world of military botanicals. But how much do you know about its origins? And how can you tell if a Lone Pine is actually the real deal? In this episode, we're diving deep into the roots (pun intended!) of this living memorial with Shrine volunteer Mary Ward.

Discover the unlikely, and at times almost unbelievable story behind a horse saddle on display in the Shrine's Galleries of Remembrance. Former Warrant Officer Leon Dimmack joins us to uncover the tale and how the saddle went from almost being thrown in the trash to an invaluable treasure. 

Uncover the world of camouflage with author and academic Professor Ann Elias. Explore the artists, creatives, and naturalists who shaped camouflage techniques during conflict, the challenges they faced, and how their creative contributions influenced the Australian military. From face paint to full scale deception, you’ll discover there’s more to camouflage than meets they eye. 

These detailed, intricate shoes may look beautiful, but they have a horrific history.  In this episode of Shrine Stories, join Exhibitions Coordinator Katrina Nicolson as she uncovers the story behind a pair of Lotus shoes on display in our galleries, and their unlikely link to stories of service.  WARNING: This episode contains themes that may be distressing for some audience. Listener discretion is advised. 

If you've been to a service at the Shrine, you will have seen our Shrine Guard dressed in their distinct uniform. And this year marks 90 years of their service to the Shrine.  In this episode you'll uncover how the Shrine Guard were formed, what their role looks like today, and importantly, how long it takes to shine their shoes with Senior Protective Services Officer David Rose'Meyer. 

The saying goes, ‘an army marches on its stomach’, but in theory what does this actually look like? How is food prepared in a makeshift kitchen during deployment? Who coordinates getting fresh food to these kitchens? And how are military chefs trained to withstand such a high-pressure environment in the face of conflict? Discover all this and more with Major Ruth Hayes OAM and Captain Brett Williams (Retd), who between them, have decades of experiences in the world of military catering. 

Ration packs are perhaps one of first things that spring to mind when we think of food in the military. But have you ever stopped to consider how they're developed? From their weight to their ability to be dropped from high altitutudes and withstand boiling and freezing climates, the science behind ration packs is incredibly complex. Ross Coad spent more than three decades working at the Defence Science and Technology Group in Scottsdale, Tasmania. This involved research on food packaging, food processing, the nutritional requirements of military personnel and, of course, ration packs. Listen as he uncovers the best (and worse) ration pack items, and how they were trialled in the field. 

What did you have for dinner last night? Imagine if we took your dinner plans, put it 100 metres below sea level, multiplied the mouths to feed to about 60 and took out any fresh fruit or vegetables. This was a daily reality for Commander John Goss during his career as a cook in the Navy. John’s story is one of many shared in the Shrine’s special exhibition Taste of Combat: The Evolution of Military Food, which uncovers often-invisible service of catering for the military and the challenges, research and innovation involved in feeding the forces. Listen as John unpacks his career and how he managed to cook in such an extreme environment.

Images of the Shrine of Remembrance today are abundant, but depictions of its construction are rare treasures. In this episode of Shrine Stories, Collections Coordinator Toby Miller delves into Alexander Colquhoun’s painting of the Shrine being built, uncovering its artistic significance and the personal grief woven into its story.

Have you ever wondered how mail was received by soldiers on the front line? In this festive edition of Shrine Stories, Exhibitions Coordinator Katrina Nicolson uncovers a unique Christmas message and unpacks just how complex it was to coordinate wartime post.   

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating history of the Shrine's Ray of Light. This feature was meticulously calculated so at 11am on November 11, a beam of sunlight would shine through a hole in the Shrine's roof and illuminate the word 'love' etched into the Stone of Remembrance. However, the introduction of daylight savings in 1971 threw a spanner in the works, causing the light to hit the stone an hour late. Join us as we explore how Frank Johnston, a surveyor and RMIT lecturer, worked on a solution to this problem and has continued to keep the light shining 50 years on. 

Uncover a story of determination and ingenuity as Shrine curator Neil Sharkey reveals the story behind these aluminium false teeth. With links to Ambon, this item tells an important story about the conditions that prisoners of war endured and the struggle to survive. 

At the height of the Holocaust, twenty-five young inmates of the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp - mainly Jewish women and girls - were selected to design, cut, and sew beautiful fashions for elite Nazi women in a dedicated salon. It was work that they hoped would spare them from the gas chambers. Drawing on diverse sources including interviews with the last surviving seamstress, The Dressmakers of Auschwitz follows the fates of these brave women. In this captivating podcast recorded live at the Shrine, author and historian Lucy Adlington joined us virtually in conversation with the Melbourne Holocaust Museum’s Dr Breann Fallon. This program was presented in partnership with the Melbourne Holocaust Museum and Melbourne Jewish Book Week. To attend one of our events in-person, head to shrine.org.au

In this episode of Shrine Stories, we uncover the story behind a toy rabbit on display in the galleries.  Listen as Shrine Education Officer Peter Luby uncovers its link to the fall of Singapore and the mystery behind its owner.  Music On this Day - Richard Smithson 

A century ago, a public design competition resulted in the grand architecture of the Shrine of Remembrance. For 90 years it has stood as an iconic sentinal in Melbourne's architecture, so it's hard to imagine anything else in its place... In this series, you'll uncover the designs that could have been Victoria's War Memorial and the architects behind them.  In this episode, Dr Katti Williams shares the story of the architects behind the Shrine, Philip Hudson and James Wardrop, and how their military service impacted their thinking for the memorial. 

A century ago, a public design competition resulted in the grand architecture of the Shrine of Remembrance. For 90 years it has stood as an iconic sentinal in Melbourne's architecture, so it's hard to imagine anything else in its place... In this series, you'll uncover the designs that could have been Victoria's War Memorial and the architects behind them.  Listen as Dr Katti Williams unpacks the second-placed design by William Lucas, and the controversy that followed when he wasn't crowned the winner.