Talks And Lectures

Pattie Wright. 2012 marks the 70th anniversary of the sinking of the HMAS Perth I and USS Houston in the plucky Battle of the Sunda Strait on 1 March 1942. Pattie will discuss the men's attempts to survive, escape and the POW years on the Thai Burma Railway and in Japan. 

Anthony Cooper. In 1943, a small band of inexperienced Australian and British fighter pilots fought an ongoing air battle in defence of north western Australia, flying against a formidably skilled and proficient opponent. The air raids on Darwin during 1942-43 constituted the only sustained and intensive direct assault on Australian mainland territory in the whole of World War Two. Anthony Cooper, a Brisbane school teacher and author of Darwin Spitfires tells this little known story, and in so doing, recovers this important aspect of Australian History. 

Garth Pratten. The fall of Singapore is widely regarded as one of the allies' greatest military disasters of the Second World War. Central to British strategy in Asia and the Pacific, Singapre was touted as an impregnable fortress, home for a mighty fleet and yet it was conquered by the Japanese in a week. This presentation will examine the reasons for that calamitous defeat and also address some of the many myths that, 70 years later, still bedevil Australia's understanding of it. 

Rosalie Triolo. No one emerges unchanged from war and Victoria's First World War teachers were no different. For some, there was no return to the classroom. For those who did reenter the workforce, some battled, briefly or for decades, with physical or psychological challenges. Others, however, managed to salvage something positive from their experiences, finding what their director knew they must find:'some soul of goodness in things evil. Join Monash University historian, Rosalie Triolo, as she follows teachers into very different post war lives. 

Ian Pfennigwerth. This year marks the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy. Join naval historian, Ian Pfenningwerth as he discusses the important and often overlooked role of the Navy during the First World War. Hear about the significant role this new Australian fleet had in persuading the German Navy to leave the Pacific. 

Panel Discussion. The original purpose of military uniforms was identification but through the years, uniforms have evolved in response to changes in warfare, fashion and technology. Join this panel discussion on the evolution of twentieth century military uniforms, with particular reference to the uniforms featured in the Shrine's anniversary exhibitions, 'Pride of the Nation:Centenary of the Navy' and 'Greece, Crete and Syria' and also the ManStyle lexhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. 

Stephen Dando-Collins. 'Crack hardy' was a saying used in the First World War trenches. It meant 'grin and bear it, put on a brave face'. The Searle boys had to crack hardy as they fought in one gruelling campaign after another. One brother was killed at Gallipoli, another on the Western Front and one came home a decorated hero. Join award winning author Stephen Dando-Collins, the great nephew of the Searle brothers, as he shares his family's story. 

Jean McAuslan, Manager of Exhibitions and Collections at the Shrine of Remembrance, will share her insights into her recent tour of First World War (1914-18) sites of commemoration in Gallipoli, Belgium and the Somme Valley.  Jean accompanied year 9 and 10 recipients of the 2011 Spirit of ANZAC prize.  At Gallipoli they shared the chill conditions experienced by the original ANZACs on 25 April 1915 and the Dawn Service at Villers Brettoneux in France. Jean will speak about the enriching experiences of this special trip in which all learnt under the guidance of Professor Bruce Scates and through the eyes of young Australian secondary students.

Mark Johnston. Australian airmen engaged the Japanese on the first and the last days of the Pacific War, as well as most of those in between. By 1945, the RAAF had grown from a numerically and technologically inferior force to the fourth largest in the world. Using the testimonies of the airmen themselves, Mark Johnston traces the inspiring but bumpy journey of the RAAF in the Pacific from defeat to victory.

Jamie Parsons and Neil Sharkey. In the lead up to the 2011 AFL Grand Final, the Shrine's Manager of Education and Community Programs, Jamie Parsons, and Exhibitions Curator, Neil Sharkey, discuss the intersection of sport and war in Australian society and how both have informed notions of Australian national identity.

Paul Ham. The ten year struggle in the rice paddies and jungles of South Vietnam unleashed the most devastating firepower on the Vietnamese nation and visited terrible harm on civilians and soldiers. Paul Ham is the author of 'Vietnam: The Australian War'. Join him as he reflects on the Australian experience of the war which sealed the fate of 50,000 Australian servicemen and women.

Wain Fimeri. The horrors of the battle of Pozieres were like a stone thrown violently into a pool. The ripples spread outwards from the tiny French village to the homes and hears of those who endured, suffered and lost. After Pozieres, Australia was never the same. Join writer and director Wain Fimeri for a discussion and screening of his one hour special feature 'Pozieres'. Please note, this file only contains audio.

David Howell. Captain 'Uncle" Sam Templeton was amongst the first Australian soldiers to engage with the Japanese in the early stages of the Kokoda campaign. Was he killed in action? Was he captured by the Japanese? Did he provide his captors with misleading information that changed the course of the campaign? Join historian David Howell as he explores the mystery surrounding Sam Templeton's disappearance. David will also be joined by original 39th battalion veterans.

Michael Molkentin. When the First World War began, aeroplanes were barely a decade old. Despite this, Australia was one of just a few nations outside of Europe to establish a military flying school and corps. Join historian Michael Molkentin as he explains how the young volunteers were pioneers in a new dimension of warfare, who struggled to control the skies over the Western Front and Middle East.

Dennis Smith. Join the writer and director of 'Kapyong' and explore one of the most significant battles of the Korean War. This documentary includes archival imagery, maps and film, plus commentary by military historians from both sides of the conflict. Dennis Smith will discuss the research and development of 'Kapyong' as well as screening excerpts of the documentary. Please note this podcast only includes audio. 

Documentary Screening 'The Lost Diggers of Fromelles' was screened on national television in the lead up to Anzac Day. The screening at the Shrine included an extended version of this documentary, including additional footage, interviews and a discussion with the makers. This is the behind-the-scenes story of the largest excavation of fallen First World War soldiers in modern times. Please note, this file only contains audio.

Lambis Englezos AM and Tim Whitford. Take this opportunity to attend the inaugral Shrine regional lecture. Lambis Englezos and Tim Whitford discuss the search for the missing men of Fromelles. Lambis' tireless research led to the discovery of a distinctive medallion at Pheasant Wood. That medallion belonged to Tim Whitford's great uncle and provided the first clue that the burial site had at last been found.