Shrine of Remembrance

The Shrine of Remembrance is located in ANZAC Square and serves as a State memorial to those who lost their lives participating in overseas armed service campaigns, in particular the First World War. The Shrine houses an Eternal Flame in remembrance of those who lost their lives representing the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs). It holds an elevated position at the Ann Street entrance to ANZAC Square. It was dedicated at 11am on Armistice Day, Tuesday, 11 November 1930.


The Shrine is a dominant feature of the Square. The architecture is Greek Classic Revival style, utilising the forms of a Greek sacred enclosure (temenos) comprising of a round temple (tholos). The various columns are made of Helidon sandstone, which stand on a three tiered base of Queensland granite. The eighteen columns utilise doric order, and represent the year of peace, 1918. They support a circular entablature which on its outside edge is ornamented with rosettes and within the shrine is inscribed with the names of battlefields where Australian soldiers fought. Within the middle of the shrine a bronze urn houses the Eternal Flame. Twin stone staircases wrap around the Shrine, descending to the level of the Square.


Of all the elements within ANZAC Square, this has to be the most striking. The Shrine is a meeting place for the dawn service on ANZAC Day, and throughout that particular day draws huge crowds who pay their respect. At any time of the year, it is a moving and sombre experience to visit and recognise and remember the fallen.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Shrine of Memories

The Shrine of Memories is a memorial of the Second World War dedicated to various Queensland contingents of the armed forces. It is co-located with the Crypt in the subway underneath the ANZAC Square Shrine of Remembrance. There are Touch and Tell systems in place that explain the significance of Anzac Square to visitors. It is open Monday to Friday 9.00am - 2.15pm except on ANZAC Day when hours are extended.

Within the Shrine and Crypt there are Honour Rolls, Unit Plaques, a memorial mosaic and soils from official World War II cemeteries. The Crypt was established in 1930 to contain tributes for Australian and allied participants. In 1984 the Second World War Shrine of Memories was relocated to the enlarged crypt from its previous location as part of the Returned & Services League (RSL) State Branch headquarters at ANZAC House in Wickham Terrace. It had been established at the RSL Branch in 1959. The mosaic, designed by Don Ross, comprises over 140,000 small pieces of hand cut Venetian glass enamels and depicts what I consider is the release of the spirit of those who gave the supreme sacrifice in War.


The Angel on the entrance wall to the Crypt represents the Angel of Peace. Entering this place is a very sombre and moving experience. It allows you to reflect on those who gave their lives, and that they not be forgotten. Over the course of writing this blog I have found that writing on the ANZAC tradition brings forth both emotions of regret at the wasted lives, but also pride that we honour those who defended hour nation and beliefs. We should strive not to make war, but to honour Peace throughout the world.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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ANZAC Day

Australia and New Zealand commemorate ANZAC Day on the 25th of April every year. The day was marked initially to remember members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who landed at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. That tradition has been extended and the commemorations recognise World War II veterans and returned servicemen and women from the conflicts in Malaya, Indonesia, Korea and Vietnam, veterans from allied countries and other peacekeepers. In Brisbane thousands lined the streets today to watch and honour those and their kin recognise the day.



The ANZAC tradition recognises the ideals of courage, endurance and mateship. Courage, in that many of the young men sent to fight at Gallipoli knew they would face certain death. Endurance, in that the conditions found at the site were atrocious, yet still they soldiered on. Mateship, standing by their friends and comrades, through thick and thin and all hardships and pleasures. I have said before that although I've never served, I respect what the ANZAC represents, these attributes and also in particular the statement "Lest We Forget". To me, this means that we should never wish to make war, lest we forget the sacrifice of those who have gone before. War is such a terrible thing.

Today I took my eldest boys to watch the 10:00am march in the city centre. We watched the F-18's fly over, and sat amongst the many onlookers watching past and present servicemen parade. We also went to the ANZAC Memorial at ANZAC Square. There were representatives from Army, Navy and Airforce, along with horses and various military vehicles. It was easy to applaud these dedicated men and woman whose service means so much to our country. I am amazed at how much pride I feel watching these people enjoy and be lauded for their efforts. All are there to recognise and remember the fallen.


The Ode of Remembrance states this best.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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