- Published:
- Thursday 15 October 2026 at 12:00 pm
This Remembrance Day honours several significant anniversaries: 25 years since Australian service in Afghanistan began, 60 years since the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam, and 75 years since the Battle of Kapyong in Korea. The Shrine of Remembrance’s 2026 Remembrance Day program offers Victorians many different ways to commemorate with family, friends and community.
Since 1934, the Victorian community has come together at the Shrine of Remembrance on 11 November to pause, reflect and remember the lives lost and changed forever by war and conflict across many generations of Australians. The Shrine is the home of commemoration in Victoria, a place to honour the enduring sacrifice and courage of those who have served through tradition, stories and collective memory.
The Shrine of Remembrance's 2026 Remembrance Day program includes the beloved ceremonial traditions of the Victorian State Remembrance Day Service, the Commemoration in Concert for the third-year running, and a special cultural event showcasing the life and promise of composer, pianist and Olympic champion F.S. 'Sep' Kelly.
This year’s anniversaries of war and peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan, Vietnam and Korea bring more recent service into focus, as Victorians continue the unbroken 92-year-old tradition of coming together at the Shrine of Remembrance to pause, reflect and remember. The Shrine’s new Chair, Major General Andrew Bottrell AO (Retired), alongside the Shrine’s new governors Christopher May OAM, retired Squadron Leader Rebekah (Bek) Herron and Captain Paul Scott (RAN), bring the experience of recent service into the heart of commemoration, connecting today's veterans with those who came before.
On Wednesday 11 November, the Victorian State Remembrance Day Service will feature the traditional one minute’s silence, an address by the Governor of Victoria, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, bugle calls, recital of The Ode and will conclude with the release of pigeons, with Shrine trustee Brigadier Michelle McCormack as MC. This year’s ‘Reflection on Remembrance’ will be delivered by Shrine Chair Andrew Bottrell AO, drawing on his 39 years of service, including serving in Afghanistan.
An emerging tradition now in its third year, Commemoration in Concert will take place on Sunday 8 November. Featuring the Footscray-Yarraville City Band and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and hosted by Shrine Governor, conductor and retired Squadron Leader Matt Little, the music will blend chorus and band, alongside wartime classics and songs of reflection evoking the Vietnam era. Commemoration in Concert is a free twilight concert on the Shrine’s Second World War Memorial Forecourt making it a wonderful opportunity for families, friends and music lovers to come together ahead of Remembrance Day.
The Shrine invites the community to discover the remarkable story of composer, pianist and Olympic gold medallist F.S. ‘Sep’ Kelly on Sunday 15 November, whose life was cut short on the battlefields of the Somme 110 years ago on 13 November 1916. The afternoon will begin with the launch of To Gallipoli and the Somme: F.S. Kelly; War hero, Olympic champion and Pianist Composer, the new biography by Dr Therese Radic and Martin Cross, followed by a screening of the award-winning documentary Elegy, which explores Kelly’s musical tribute to his friend and fellow officer, the British poet Rupert Brooke; and conclude with a musical performance and readings from Kelly’s wartime diary by Carrillo Gantner AC.
The Shrine’s Chair, Major General Andrew Bottrell AO, says,
Remembrance Day asks us to pause and remember that behind every name and every story of service was a person, a family and a life changed by war. We remember those who never came home, those who returned carrying the consequences of their service, and the families who enabled them to serve and shared in their sacrifice.
At the Shrine, remembrance is both a privilege and a responsibility. As the generations who experienced these conflicts pass, it falls to us to ensure their stories endure, and that the service and sacrifice of all Australians who have worn our nation’s uniform are never forgotten.
The Shrine’s CEO, Kerryn Ellis, says,
The Shrine is the heart and home of commemoration in Victoria and we invite the community to join us as we pause, reflect and remember the lives lost and irrevocably changed over generations.
Commemoration is active and living: it is how each of us connects with the people who served and serve, and the Shrine invites every Victorian to find their own way to take part in Remembrance Day.
Victorian State Remembrance Day Service
Wednesday 11 November, 10:30-11.30am
Second World War Memorial Forecourt, Shrine of Remembrance
All are welcome. Bookings are not required. Limited seating available.
Free public transport for veterans, war widows and current defence members.
On 11 November, the Shrine encourages all Victorians to continue the unbroken tradition of a minute’s silence to remember those who have served in war and peacekeeping efforts throughout Australia’s history.
KEY DETAILS
8 November, 4:45-5:45pm
An evening of music and reflection
Second World War Memorial Forecourt
11 November, 10:30-11:30am
Victorian State Remembrance Day Service
Second World War Memorial Forecourt
15 November, 2-4pm
Book launch, documentary screening and musical performance
Auditorium, Shrine of Remembrance
1-11 November
The Shrine and other landmarks light up in red
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
The following spokespeople are available for interviews in the lead-up to and on Remembrance Day:
- Andrew Bottrell AO (Chair, Shrine of Remembrance)
- Kerryn Ellis (CEO, Shrine of Remembrance)
- Matt Little (host of Commemoration in Concert; Shrine Governor, conductor and retired Squadron Leader)
- Interviews with the Shrine’s Governors are available on request
For further info and interview requests, please contact:
Bec Bridges on bec@pitchprojects.com or 0405 655 245; or
Terri King on terri@pitchprojects.com or 0488 036 740
IMAGES
Images of ‘Sep’ Kelly are available on request.
MEDIA ACCREDITATION FOR REMEMBRANCE DAY
Registrations are now open for media attendance at the Shrine of Remembrance for the Victorian State Remembrance Day Service on 11 November 2026.
Registration closes at 5pm on Friday 6 November and passes must be collected between midday and 5pm on Monday 9 November.
Register here: https://www.shrine.org.au/media-registration-remembrance-day
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