A Place to Remember: Melbourne Legacy and the Shrine of Remembrance

As we approach Remembrance Day and celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Shrine of Remembrance, it’s a moment to reflect on the intertwined histories of Melbourne Legacy and this iconic Melbourne landmark.

The story of the Shrine begins in the years following the end of World War I. Australians, still mourning the loss of so many lives, wanted a grand memorial to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Among the earliest figures involved in the Shrine’s creation was Legatee W.A.M. Blackett, who served on the War Memorial Advisory Committee in the 1920s. His role as an architect helped guide the early discussions about what form the memorial should take.

The design of the Shrine, inspired by the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the Parthenon, was chosen through a global competition. Two Melbourne architects, Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop, both veterans, won with their design, which symbolised democracy’s triumph over tyranny. A central feature of their design was the Stone of Remembrance, inscribed with the words “Greater love hath no man.”

Each year at 11am on Remembrance Day, a beam of sunlight illuminates the word “Love,” a powerful tribute to those who gave their lives in service and a principle that Melbourne Legacy carries through our empathy for all widows and the families of our veterans. Frank Doolan, a prolific Melbourne Legacy Legatee, as the Shrine’s site surveyor, also ultimately had to solve the problem of bringing the astronomical and mathematical calculations for the ray of light into reality. The mathematical calculations, obviously pre-dating computers, is believed to have run to 144 pages.

But the Shrine we know today almost didn’t come to be. There were competing proposals, most notably from media mogul Keith Murdoch, who opposed the design and pushed for alternatives like an ANZAC Square at the top end of Bourke Street. Melbourne Legacy played a pivotal role in advocating for the Shrine’s original design. Legatees like Alfred “Kem” Kemsley and Donovan Joynt VC rallied public and political support, with Joynt famously stacking a meeting where General Sir John Monash voiced his support for the Shrine.

Legatees also took on leading roles in fundraising, with significant contributions from the public and school children, raising the equivalent of $25 million today. In 1934, the Shrine was finally completed and dedicated on November 11, Remembrance Day, by the Duke of Gloucester. A crowd of 300,000 gathered to honour the memory of the fallen with this new and solemn monument.

Since then, Melbourne Legacy has continued its close relationship with the Shrine. Our community of widows have continued to be represented on Remembrance Day and through Melbourne Legacy events that maintain their connection with each other and to the significance of this monument. We’ve also contributed to key features, like the Legacy Garden of Appreciation and the Olive Tree of Peace, which was transplanted into the Garden Courtyard in 2003. We take pride in maintaining the descendant of the original Lone Pine tree, planted at the Shrine in the 1930s, which has become a symbol of resilience and remembrance.

Today, the Shrine stands as a memorial to all Australians who have served in war, peacekeeping, and peacemaking operations. It continues to host over 250 commemorative ceremonies each year, including the annual ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services. Melbourne Legacy plays a vital role as a Trustee, ensuring that the Shrine’s mission of remembrance and reflection endures for future generations.

In an increasingly diverse Australia, the Shrine faces new challenges in engaging younger generations and those from different cultural backgrounds. However, its mission remains clear: to remember, reflect, and commemorate the service and sacrifice of all who served. Melbourne Legacy remains committed to upholding these values and ensuring that the Shrine remains a place of solemn reflection for all.

As we mark this 90th anniversary, Melbourne Legacy reaffirms its dedication to the Shrine and its place in the heart of our city and nation. Our role in its history is a testament to our enduring commitment to honouring the sacrifices made by Australian servicemen and women.