In remembrance of those who served and those who died in the Great War of 1914-1918 and armed conflicts and peacekeeping duties since.

The Shrine of Remembrance is Victoria’s largest and most visited war memorial. It was erected between July 1928 and November 1934 in remembrance of those 114,000 men and women of Victoria who served and those who died in the Great War of 1914-1918. 89,100 of them served overseas and 19,000 did not return.

The building reminded me of the churches in Italy and Vatican, with Romanesque architectural design embellished through the years with numerous works of art. The design for the Shrine of Remembrance was selected by competition among Australian artists and architects. Eighty-three designs were submitted and the winning design was by two Melbourne returned-soldier architects, Philip Hudson and James Wardrop.

We went in the building via underground entrance where it was surrounded by great red walls. We passed through a long corridor before the entrance and were attracted by a long enclosed case with the display of 4,000 service medals! Each one medal representing 100 Victorians who have served in war and peacekeeping operations and six who have lost their lives.

I hope all these medals remind us of how ruthless the war is to take away so many people lives. I’m glad that Australia is so peaceful now despite having so many different races of people from around the world migrated into the country.

Shrine of Remembrance is standing erect on the hill facing the Melbourne town. It looks so peaceful and quiet under the blue clear sky as if signifying the revolutionary martyrs are resting in peace in the heaven.

By climbing up to the balcony on the top of the building, you will be able to admire the entire city of Melbourne. Many visitors just sat on the staircase enjoying the sunshine and the occasion breeze. The most extraordinary feature of the Shrine is the Ray of Light which shines in from the opening in the roof and illuminates the word LOVE from the inscription on the Stone of Remembrance that reads “Greater Love Hath No Man.” This phenomenon happens each year on the 11th of November at precisely 11am, the exact same day and same time when World War I ended. Sadly I didn’t get to witness this amazing spectacle unless I visit to Melbourne again in the coming November.

Melbourne town just right opposite the Shrine of Remembrance

The tallest building in Melbourne - Eureka Tower, a 297.3-metre (975 ft) skycraper located in the Southbank precinct of  Melbourne

Not far away from Shrine of Remembrance, there was a tall memorial standing still on a plain with the Eternal Flame burning at the base. An eternal flame is a flame or torch that burns day and night for an indefinite period. The flame in Shrine of Remembrance was lit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954 and has been burning since then to commemorate the sacrificed martyrs.

Statue on the top of the memorial

I hope this will be the last war memorial to the country and hopefully no more new war memorial to be built in any country to signify the end of the wars forever. Nonetheless, the contributions of the revolutionary martyrs will never be forgotten.

Say good bye to the Shrine of Remembrance

The Shrine of Remembrance

Postal Address:
GPO Box 1603
Melbourne VIC 3001

Street Address: Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra

Melway Reference: 2F, J12

T: 613 9661 8100
F: 613 9662 9411

Email – reception@shrine.org.au

Open from 10am to 5pm daily, except on Good Friday and Christmas Day.