What's On - 14 April 2011

This exhibition examined the proud history of two of Australia’s most significant military services: the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS), formed in 1942 at the height of the Second World War (1939-45) and disbanded in 1947, and its successor, the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) created in the 1950s in response to the new challenges arising in the Cold War era. Created with the assistance of women who served in these organisations, the Shrine hosted this exhibition in 2011 to mark the 70th anniversary of the formation of AWAS and the 60th anniversary of WRAAC.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital the Shrine developed this exhibition featuring memorabilia and images from the hospital archive as well as historical images from the Australian War Memorial. Through its proud history the hospital emerged as a centre for critical care with a sense of community that has nurtured and rehabilitated shattered people, served as a centre for innovation in the treatment of war injuries and mental illness and as a teaching hospital for the nursing and medical professions. Heidelberg Hospital has also evolved as an important commemorative site.

On 31 March 2011 the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) celebrated the 90th anniversary of its creation. Working with the Office of Air Force History and the RAAF Museum, Point Cook, the Shrine presented award winning works of art and photography from the previous 20 years of RAAF Heritage Awards.

Read more about about the RAAF Museum

Read more about the Office of Air Force History