Australian War Memorial Facts & Worksheets

The Australian War Memorial (AWM) is a national institution that serves as a war memorial and museum honoring all Australians who lost their lives in battle. The AWM is situated in Campbell, a suburb of Canberra, the capital of Australia. There are five buildings plus a sculpture garden on the grounds. Most museum galleries and facilities dedicated to commemoration are located within the Memorial Building.

See the fact file below for more information about the Australian War Memorial, or you can download our 25-page Australian War Memorial worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• The Australian War Records Section was established in May 1917 to guarantee the conservation of documents concerning the First World War. Artifacts and historical items were displayed initially in Melbourne and subsequently in Canberra. Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean, an official war correspondent for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) throughout the Gallipoli and Western Front campaigns, developed the concept for a distinctive monument honoring Australia’s fallen soldiers. 
• Bean observed the AIF in combat on the Western Front and, as the future editor of the Official History of Australia in World War I, he resolved to ensure that their sacrifices and accomplishments were remembered.
• In 1917, the Australian Government approved Bean’s plan to establish a memorial museum. Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) soldiers were tasked with collecting relics and assembling thousands of pieces in collection depots for transportation back to Australia.
• Australians displayed their unique sense of humor by jokingly labeling German POWs as ‘to be sent to the Australian War Museum.’ 
• The Memorial took considerable time to construct despite the excitement surrounding it. The structure’s construction, whose foundation stone was placed on ANZAC Day 1919, was postponed due to the Depression and the Second World War.’
• In 1939, just before its official opening, the Australian Government changed the AWM’s purpose to honor Second World War veterans, not just First World War veterans. 
• In 1941, the Memorial was finally opened on Armistice Day 1941.
• 1952, the Australian War Memorial Act was amended to broaden the AWM commemoration to encompass Australian participation in all conflicts.
• In 1975, the scope of the remembrance was broadened to include Australians who died due to war, regardless of whether they had served in the Australian military forces.
• In 1993, a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was placed at the AWM. 
• Between 1996 and 1999, the AWM enhanced its museum galleries and exhibitions and established an area for temporary exhibitions.
• Christopher Latham became the Australian War Memorial’s inaugural musical artist-in-residence in 2017. Latham initiated his Flowers of War series in 2015 to honor musicians and artists from the First World War. The Gallipoli Symphony debuted in 2015, and the Diggers’ Requiem in 2018. The Memorial commissioned Latham’s Vietnam Requiem, which premiered in June 2021. Future works will honor the Korean War in 2023, the Holocaust in 2024, and World War II in 2025.
• In 2021, the National Capital Authority (NCA) authorized the Australian War Memorial’s (AWM) expansion project, which involves building a new structure called New Anzac Hall, connecting the Memorial Building with the old Anzac Hall, extending the CEW Bean Building, and renovating the museum’s southern entrance and Parade Ground.
• The NCA is an official organization of the Australian Government that was created to oversee the government’s involvement in the design and growth of Canberra as Australia’s capital city.

AREAS OF THE MEMORIAL

• The entire AWM is included in Australia’s Commonwealth Heritage List, and both the AWM and the nearby Anzac Parade are also included in the National Heritage List. 
• The Commonwealth Heritage List is a registry of heritage sites created in 2003. It includes places controlled by the Australian Government, located on land or in waters owned by the Crown.
• The monuments and memorials in Anzac Parade are maintained independently by the NCA and are not included in the Australian War Memorial.
• Remembrance Nature Park, the Canberra endpoint of Remembrance Driveway, is located north of the park. 
• This system honors the 24 Victoria Cross recipients from World War II and the Vietnam War through a series of parks, landmarks, and roadside stations between Sydney and Canberra.
• The Parade Ground at the southern face of the AWM has the Stone of Commemoration, a six-and-a-half-ton commemoration stone used as a focal point for significant national ceremonies.
• The entire AWM is included in Australia’s Commonwealth Heritage List, and both the AWM and the nearby Anzac Parade are also included in the National Heritage List. 
• The Commonwealth Heritage List is a registry of heritage sites created in 2003. It includes places controlled by the Australian Government, located on land or in waters owned by the Crown.
• The monuments and memorials in Anzac Parade are maintained independently by the NCA and are not included in the Australian War Memorial.
• At present, the Memorial has four main areas/divisions:

• The Memorial Building at the AWM houses the primary remembrance spaces and most of its museum exhibits. Aside from these areas, the Memorial Building also houses the AWM’s research center and the museum shop.
• The design of the Memorial Building, one of the first buildings planned for the AWM, was not completed until 1936. The structure was inaugurated on 11 November 1941 but was not finished until many decades later.
• The museum’s commemoration portion consists of the courtyard and the Hall of Memory, situated right after the entrance of the Memorial Building.
• The courtyard features a reflecting pool and steps at its northern end that lead to the Hall of Memory. Arched cloisters flank the courtyard, with the Roll of Honour placed behind them.
• The museum and exhibits of the Memorial Building are situated on the lower levels and around the building’s commemoration areas. The Memorial Building features galleries dedicated to certain conflicts, such as the First World War and the Second World War.
• The First and Second World War galleries consist of four interconnected galleries in the oldest sections of the structure. The interconnected galleries used to have a skylight that ran the entire length, but it was eventually covered to shield displayed antiques from exposure.
• In 1999, the western section of the AWM grounds was redesigned to serve as a sculpture garden. The initial sculpture installed in the garden was Ewers’ Australian Serviceman statue, which was moved from the Memorial Building’s Hall of Memory.
• By 2022, the AWM will have placed 25 memorials or statues on its grounds and over 150 plaques honoring individual unit associations in the gardens.

LAST POST CEREMONY

• The Last Post ceremony commenced in 2013 and occurs daily at 16:45 AEDT. The event commences with the rendition of the Australian National Anthem, after which a bagpiper descends from the Hall of Memory. Visitors can place wreaths and floral offerings next to the reflecting pool. 
• A volunteer from the Australian Defence Force reads aloud a tale of an individual listed on the Memorial’s Roll of Honour. The ceremony ends with the playing of the Last Post. The ritual usually lasts less than 30 minutes.

AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL, LONDON

• The Australian War Memorial in London was established in 2003 to honor the 102,000 Australian soldiers who died in the First and Second World Wars. It is situated at the southernmost corner of Hyde Park Corner, on a traffic island containing the Wellington Arch, the New Zealand War Memorial, the Machine Gun Corps Memorial, and the Royal Artillery Memorial.
• The idea to establish an Australian war memorial in London was announced in July 2000, coinciding with the centenary of the Australian Federation. 
• The Memorial was created for the Office of Australian War Graves at the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, architect, and artist Janet Laurence. The project cost approximately £3 million and was financed by the Australian Government. It received the Australian Stone Architectural Award for Best International Project in 2006.

Australian War Memorial Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Australian War Memorial across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Australian War Memorial. There are five buildings plus a sculpture garden on the grounds. Most museum galleries and facilities dedicated to commemoration are located within the Memorial Building.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Australian War Memorial Facts
2. Fact-Checking
3. Vocabulary
4. Policy Making
5. What’s on Your Mind?
6. Challenges
7. Historic Landmarks
8. Same but different?
9. Final Destination
10. Pick a Job
11. Pay Tribute

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of a war memorial museum?

The purpose of a war memorial museum is to honor and commemorate the sacrifices made by individuals in times of war. It serves as a place of remembrance, education, and reflection, preserving the memory of those who served and died for their country while also providing insight into the historical events and consequences of war.

What types of exhibits can one expect to find in a war memorial museum?

War memorial museums typically feature a wide range of exhibits, including artifacts such as weapons, uniforms, personal belongings of soldiers, photographs, letters, and documents from various conflicts. Interactive displays, multimedia presentations, and oral histories may also be incorporated to provide visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the experiences and impacts of war.

How do war memorial museums contribute to education and historical understanding?

War memorial museums play a crucial role in educating the public about the realities of war and its profound impact on societies. By preserving historical artifacts and presenting factual information, these museums help visitors gain a deeper understanding of the causes, events, and consequences of conflicts. They also provide opportunities for dialogue, critical thinking, and reflection on the human cost of war.

Why are war memorial museums important for future generations?

War memorial museums serve as repositories of collective memory, ensuring that the sacrifices and lessons of past conflicts are not forgotten by future generations. By engaging with these institutions, younger audiences can learn about the experiences of those who came before them, develop empathy for the challenges faced by soldiers and civilians during wartime, and gain insights into the complexities of global history and geopolitics.

How do war memorial museums foster a sense of national identity and unity?

War memorial museums often evoke a sense of national pride and solidarity by highlighting the bravery and resilience of individuals who served their country during times of war. By commemorating shared sacrifices and honoring the contributions of diverse communities, these museums help reinforce a collective sense of identity and belonging. Additionally, they provide spaces for public ceremonies and commemorations that bring communities together in remembrance and reflection.

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