What's On

The HMAS Castelmaine is a Second World War Corvette with Battle Honours including Darwin, the Pacific and New Guinea. Following decomission into reserve as a training ship, she has been preserved as a museum ship since 1973, berthed in Williamstown, Victoria.

The HMAS Castlemaine service will be supported by students and staff of Tecoma Primary School, as participants in the Shrine's Adopt an Ex-Service Organisation program. This partnership fosters relationships and enables schools to carry on the legacy of their chosen Association. 

The Women's Royal Australian Army Corp (WRAAC) was established on 12 February 1951 to cover a manpower shortage due to the Korean War and national service. Previously women had served in the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) during the Second World War from August 1941 until June 1947. The WRAAC Reserve Association (Victoria) was founded in August 1976 with the desire to promote social functions for former members of 8/3 WRAAC Company. In November 2007 the name was changed to WRAAC Association (Victoria) Inc. Women who have or are serving in the Australian Military Forces may join the association to participate in social events, ceremonies and comradeship. 

This service is attended by the Australian American Association (Vic), the American Ex-Serviceman's Association and the Naval Commemoration Committee. 

• The Shrine is a memorial to honour the service and sacrifice of Victorians and Australians in war, conflict, peacekeeping and peacemaking.
• At the week’s close we pause to remember those who have served and sacrificed. We remember them today as we have always remembered them—now and forever.
• The Shrine stands for remembering, today and every day, that service and sacrifice are fundamental and relevant in creating, maintaining and protecting our national values and way of life.
• Service and sacrifice are ongoing and continuous as is our commemoration of it.
• Here all service is equal, and all are welcome.
• By attending you are taking part in commemoration of service and sacrifice and we thank you.

The RSL will hold a State Remembrance Service, in conjunction with the Friends of the Odd Bods Association, at the Shrine of Remembrance on Friday, 8th May 2020 to commemorate the Second World War Victory in Europe.

On 7th May 1945, German High Command authorised the signing of an unconditional surrender on all fronts, just a week after the death of Adolf Hitler: the war in Europe was over. The surrender was to take effect at midnight on 8-9th May 1945, with 8th May being declared VE (Victory in Europe) Day. 

Australians joined wholeheartedly in the celebrations, with Australian prisoners of war in European camps liberated and Australian sailors and aircrew beginning to return home. But the celebration was tempered by the knowledge that the war in the Pacific was still to be won, and the mood across the country remaind sombre. Churches held thanksgiving services and on 9th May, 100,000 people attended the service at the Shrine of Remembrance. 

The service marks the RSL's recognition of this important day in our history. It is expected that the service will attract people of all ages and has special meaning to those who lost relatives and loved ones during that war.