The Shrine of Remembrance is Victoria's national memorial honouring the service and sacrifice of Australians in war and peacekeeping. In this podcast series, we go beyond the Shrine’s gallery floor with in-depth conversations about war, peace and everything in between. Listen as academics, historians, authors, veterans and other experts recount real-life stories of Australian military history. For information on events and talks held at the Shrine, go to shrine.org.au.
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. Lucy refers to some pieces of clothing in this podcast. To view images of these belongings, go to https://www.shrine.org.au/live-shrine-dressmakers-auschwitz. 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
9/22/24 • 45:47
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
9/10/24 • 21:23
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.
9/1/24 • 18:30
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.
8/25/24 • 26:28
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 Professor Julie Willis explores the proposals of third-placed architect Donald Turner, and the fifth-placed design by Arthur Stephenson and Percy Meldrum.
8/18/24 • 23:46
Recorded live at the Shrine, listen as Dave Sabben MG unpacks his book Mentions in Despatches, which is made up of hundreds of letters that he sent home to family during his service in Vietnam. Hosted by Peter Meehan OAM, this conversation will give you an unrivalled account of what life was like for a frontline soldier in a war without front lines. To see what's on at the Shrine, head to shrine.org.au/whats-on-at-the-shrine Music: Right on Time, Adi Goldstein
8/17/24 • 39:19
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 Professor Philip Goad uncovers the plans of fourth-placed architects Roy Lippincott and Edward Billson, along with those of one of the sixth-placed architects, Harold Desbrowe-Annear.
8/11/24 • 29:38
Have you ever paid attention to the Shrine's roof? If not, now's your time! In this episode of Shrine Stories, you'll hear about a big change that was made to the roof in the '60s and why it was needed. Listen as the Shrine's Education and Volunteer Manager Laura Carroll uncovers a story that's been hidden in plain sight. Music On this Day - Richard Smithson
7/7/24 • 16:09
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for acts of bravery during wartime, and to date, only 101 Australians have been presented with this prestigious medal. One of them is Captain Robert Grieve, whose medal is on display in the Shrine Galleries. Join us as Philip Powell unpacks the story behind Grieve’s VC, his unlikely meeting with the Queen and how the medal survived a large fire. Music: Across the Line, Lone Canyon
6/8/24 • 23:05
Over the course of his life, Tim Fischer wore many hats: deputy Prime Minister, politician, diplomat, farmer, chairman, patron and advocate for many causes. But one that often goes under the radar is that of a Second Lieutenant in the Australian Army. In this episode, author Peter Rees unpacks Tim's military service and how it impacted his life as a politician. Music: 'I've Been There' by Alsever Lake
5/22/24 • 38:56
How does a window go from being boxed up in a shed to on display at the Shrine? In this episode of Shrine Stories, you'll learn the story of the John Charlton Memorial Window, and it's rather tumultuous journey over the last century. Listen as art historian and author Dr Bronwyn Hughes OAM unpacks the window's history, significance and journey to the Shrine. Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon Special thanks to the generous support of The Copland Foundation towards the design and installation of the window
5/12/24 • 24:36
Kat Rae is an artist and veteran of the Australian Army who has transformed her experiences with Defence into striking art. In this episode of Shrine Stories, we learn about the inspiration, process and message behind Kat's series of reduction linocut prints that depict the mountains of Afghanistan. To follow Kat's work, head to katrae.net Content Warning: This episode discusses themes of mental health and suicide that may cause distress. If you need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For a full list of support services, head to shrine.org.au/wellbeing-resources. Music: Across the Line, Lone Canyon
4/7/24 • 25:46
Artist Ian Alderman spent seven years photographing the Belgian army’s bomb disposal team as they recovered ammunition from land that was once the battlefields of Passchendaele. Once a shell was identified, he had just two minutes to capture the moment before the team moved on to their next call. This intricate work culminated in Recovering the Past—a unique photographic exhibition that connects these Belgian men with men of the Australian Imperial Force who fought during the First World War. The two groups are united through the art of photomontage, which results in a fascinating reflection on the enduring repercussions of human conflict. Listen as Ian unpacks Recovering the Past, including how he combined 100-year-old photographs with modern ones, and what he hopes people take away from his exhibition.
3/29/24 • 32:04
The Great Escape has gone down in history as one of the most crafty, yet ultimately tragic, escapes from a prisoner of war camp (listen to our other episode, 'Shrine Stories: The Great Escape', to hear the full story!). But what happened in the camp after the escape? Were the remaining planned escapees punished? And how did the men cope with the news that 50 of their own had been killed? Flight Lieutenant James Anthony Cathcart 'Tony' Gordon was 180th in line to escape, and his son Drew Gordon joins us for this episode to share his father’s story, and what life was like after the Great Escape in Stalag Luft III. Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon
3/23/24 • 31:18
Whether you're a history lover or someone looking to learn more about Australia's wartime history, this podcast is for you.
2/6/24 • 01:35
Bep-Rie Gomperts was two years old when the war started in the Netherlands. It soon became clear that she and her family needed to go into hiding for their safety. Bep spent the next several years moving from family to family and was seperated from her mother just shy of her sixth birthday. Listen as Bep recalls her childhood with several different families and what life was like amid the uncertainty. Music: If I Were You, Alsever Lake
1/24/24 • 36:20
Silke Hesse was among more than 12,000 people who, at the peak of Second World War, were held in internment camps across Australia. She was almost six years old when she first stepped foot in Tatura internment camp. Listen as she shares her story experiences of internment. Music: If I Were You, Alsever Lake
1/17/24 • 43:51
The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects on our gallery floor. In this episode, we explore a poster on display in the Vietnam War section of our Galleries. The poster was originally made and distributed in the United States as a protest piece. However, the one hanging at the Shrine has been re-designed and adopts a whole different meaning despite its similarities to the original. Join the Shrine's Collections coordinator Toby Miller as he unpacks this story. Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon
1/14/24 • 20:07
Garry Fabian was just eight years old when he and his parents were interned at Theresienstadt - a ghetto, concentration camp and transit camp used by Nazi Germany to house Jews from across Eastern Europe. Of the 15,000 children who went through the camp, only 150 survived. Listen as Garry shares his story and reflections on his childhood. Music: If I Were You, Alsever Lake
1/10/24 • 40:55
The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects on our gallery floor. In this episode, we get festive by exploring two Christmas tins that were sent to soldiers in the Boer War and the First World War. Join Exhibitions and Grants Coordinator at the Shrine Katrina Nicolson as she uncovers the contents of these boxes and how they were sent to the troops. Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon
12/10/23 • 18:11
Leading Aircraftman Vern Roberts was a fitter with No. 24 Squadron RAAF and was posted to Morotai during the Second World War. On the 9th of September, 1945, Vern witnessed the Australian commander-in-chief Field Marshal Thomas Blamey accept the formal surrender of the 2nd Japanese Army. Now 99, Vern has an impeccable memory and shares with Shrine curator Neil Sharkey his memories of service and life at Morotai. Music: Kevin Grahams, Together
12/6/23 • 33:30
The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects in the Shrine's Galleries. In this episode, award-winning historian, storyteller and biographer Ross McMullin shares the story of Australia’s first official war artist, William Henry Dyson. Will Dyson created hundreds of drawings of Australia’s soldiers at the Western Front, and managed to capture something no other artist could. Ross references several of Dyson's paintings and lithographs, which can be viewed here. This episode also discusses the below artwork, Welcome back to the Somme, in detail.
11/5/23 • 26:16
The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects on our gallery floor. In this episode, we look at the craft of beaded snakes. These intricate objects were among the keepsakes made by Ottoman prisoners of war during, and directly after the First World War. Listen as Shrine Exhibitions and Collections Officer at the Shrine Tessa Occhino reveals how these snakes were made, and why. Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon
10/8/23 • 14:17
To view a video version of the talk, click here. Young Australian teacher Bruce Dowding arrived in Paris in 1938, planning only to improve his understanding of French language and culture. After the war broke out, Dowding helped exfiltrate hundreds of Allied servicemen from occupied France. He eventually paid the ultimate price and was beheaded by the Nazis just after his 29th birthday in 1943. His story is told in the book Secret Agent, Unsung Hero, written by Bruce’s nephew, prominent Australian lawyer and former Western Australian Premier Peter Dowding and historian Ken Spillman. This podcast was recorded live at the Secret Agent, Unsung Hero book talk at the Shrine of Remembrance. Music: Maturity by Solitude
9/27/23 • 49:28
Warning: This podcast contains themes that may be distressing for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects in the Galleries. In this episode, Major David Bergman explains his role in the recovery efforts following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Major Bergman was one of only five Australian Defence Force personnel embedded with the NYPD and other units who worked in the months after the attacks. Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon
9/10/23 • 24:41
The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects on our gallery floor. In this episode, we delve into the story of Flight Sergeant Keith Meggs. Keith had a passion for aviation from an early age and in December 1950, he arrived in Korea to serve as a fighter pilot. Over the course of his service, he was involved in two very close calls. Listen as Shrine Curator Neil Sharkey uncovers these stories and the peculiar way Keith got his hands on an American survival vest. Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon
8/13/23 • 19:34
The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects on our gallery floor. In this episode, we uncover the story behind the song, Dream of Australia, which plays in our galleries. Petty Officer Ted McHaffie wrote it in 1936 during a particularly lonesome and frustrating time in his service. Tragically, five years later, Ted was one of the 645 Australian soldiers killed when HMAS Sydney II was sunk by a German raider, and so the song was never recorded. That was until Ted’s nephew, Dr Robert Hoskin, decided it was time that this tune had an audience. Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon
7/9/23 • 19:59
This podcast was recorded during the 2023 Midsumma Festival and explores stories of LGBTQ+ service. Chaired by Midsumma Chief Executive Karen Bryant, listen as current and ex-service members share their experiences in the ADF. Content warning: Parental guidance is recommended: this audio program contains adult themes and concepts and occasional coarse language. Support: If this program raises any issues for you, feel free to call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Qlife on 1800 184 527. Or please scroll down for additional support services. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of individual contributors and not necessarily the views of the Shrine of Remembrance. Speakers: Midsumma Chief Executive Karen Bryant, Yvonne Sillett, Felix, DEFGLIS Vice President Flight Lieutenant Nathan Howarth, Professor Noah Riseman, Defending with Pride curator Kate Spinks-Colas. Recording: McLean Sound Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon Support: If this podcast raises any issues for you, support is available from the following services: QLife Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for LGBTI people. Phone: 1800 184 527 Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service provides policy and community information to gay, lesbian and bisexual, transgender, intersex and non-binary serving and ex-serving members of Defence and their families. Discharged LGBTI Veterans' Association (DVLA) A support and advocacy association for Australian Defence Force personnel, their family and their friends who were adversely impacted by Defence's historic anti-LGBTI policies. Phone 0400 124 213. Thorne Harbour Health provides professional, affordable counselling for members of LGBTIQ+ communities and individuals or couples who are affected by or at risk of HIV. Open Arms Free and confidential, 24/7 national counselling service for Australian veterans and their families, provided through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). Phone: 1800 011 046 Lifeline Suicide and crisis support. Phone: 13 11 14
5/16/23 • 58:40
Entertainers have performed in war and peacekeeping zones for decades, but what does it take to get them over there? And what happens if things don't go according to plan? In this podcast, Warrant Officer Class 1 Mark Langley shares a peek behind the curtain of a Forces Entertainment concert from recruiting to the curtain call. Listen as he unpacks stories of escorting comedians, musicians and performers to gigs all over the world. Image: Cold Chisel's Ian Moss with WO1 Mark Langley in East Timor. Music: Sylvester Subconscious Cast Of Characters Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Shrine of Remembrance.
4/30/23 • 26:58
Australian entertainers have performed for troops in war zones and peacekeeping operations since the Vietnam War. Their talent and celebrity have lifted spirits and brought a slice of home to service personnel abroad. In this podcast, hear first-hand the trials and tribulations of entertaining on the front line with host Merrick Watts in conversation with Tom Gleeson, Charlie Pickering, Little Pattie and Normie Rowe. This podcast was recorded live at the Shrine in November 2022 to mark the opening of Tours De Force: Entertainers on the Front Line. Listen to part one here. Content warning: This podcast is not suitable for children. It contains adult themes and occasional coarse language. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Shrine of Remembrance. Audio recording: McLean Sound Audio mastering: Kris Keogh Music: Explorations by Reveille Special thanks To all the comedians and performers for their time and generosity. For more information on the exhibition, click here. We embrace the diversity of our community and acknowledge the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we honour Australian Defence Force service and sacrifice. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present.
2/27/23 • 46:27
