- Published:
- Wednesday 7 October 2026 at 9:00 am
The 2026 Young Ambassadors have had a busy year, working together on an artist-in-residence project, travelling to Canberra for a day of learning, reflection, and connection, and participating in commemorative services.
Young Ambassadors participate in Shrine programs and commemorative services, act as representatives of future generations and encourage their peers to understand the importance of remembering and honouring Australia’s service community and military history.
Artist-in-residence project
For 4 days during the Term 2 school holidays, the Young Ambassadors worked alongside 2026 Artist-in-Residence Iluka Sax-Williams to develop Their Family, Their Land, Their Country - a powerful sculpture created through a shared act of remembrance, respect and cultural storytelling.
The artwork honours the enduring service of First Nations people in the Australian Defence Force, while acknowledging their deep and continuous connection to Country. It reflects the service of Iluka’s great-grandfather, Albert Franklin, as well as the contributions of countless Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service members.
Following informative lectures on the history of First Peoples’ service and the cultural significance of Iluka’s medium, pyrography, the Young Ambassadors and Iluka workshopped ideas for their final design.
They spent time understanding and practicing the craft of pyrography before burning their final design into the piece of Red Gum, cut from Bunurong Country, the land on which the Shrine stands.
The final design was inspired by the words of Aunty Glenda Humes, daughter of Captain Reg Saunders MBE, who reflected that her father’s service was not for “King or Country”, but for his Aboriginal family, land and Country.
Learn more about the piece here.
A day of discovery in Canberra
In early September, the Young Ambassadors travelled to Canberra, where they visited the Australian War Memorial and Parliament House.
At the Australian War Memorial, the group explored the galleries and commemorative spaces, learning about the experiences of Australians during war and peacekeeping operations. They also attended the daily Last Post Ceremony to lay a wreath, providing a meaningful opportunity to pause and reflect on the individual lives and stories behind Australia’s history of service and sacrifice.
Whilst there, ambassadors took the opportunity to locate the names of relatives and placed poppies beside them, an experience that connected their family history with the purpose of the Australian War Memorial.
Other parts of the Memorial prompted the ambassadors to consider how history can be communicated through art, objects and place. The historic dioramas and their detailed depiction of the conditions experienced by service personnel resonated strongly, “I felt like I could actually see and hear what was occurring.”
At Parliament House, the Young Ambassadors were taken on a tour and deepened their understanding of how Parliament operates. They were also lucky to meet Ms Sarah Witty MP, Federal Member for Melbourne, with whom they had the opportunity to share their hopes for Australia’s future.
The experience encouraged the ambassadors to think about their own voices and their ability to contribute to the future of the country, “being able to meet the first female representative for the electorate in which the Shrine of Remembrance is located was an empowering and unforgettable experience.”
Commemorative Events
Commemorative events are an important part of the Young Ambassador experience, providing opportunities to honour the Shrine’s mission to memorialise those who have served in war, peacemaking and peacekeeping for the next generation. It also provides immersive opportunities for them to develop a deeper understanding of service, sacrifice and remembrance.
This year, the Young Ambassadors supported commemorative services including Anzac Day, Melbourne Legacy’s Student ANZAC Commemoration, the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service and Vietnam Veterans Day. They will also participate and play an important role in Remembrance Day on 11 November. Across these services, the Young Ambassadors have undertaken a range of responsibilities, including laying wreaths and providing wreaths for dignitaries, reading In Flanders Fields, distributing poppies for members of the public to lay and assisting the many other unseen activities that go into commemorative services at the Shrine. They have also served as torch bearers for Melbourne Legacy’s Student ANZAC Commemoration, joining students from across Victoria in honouring Australia’s service personnel.
Additionally, they have participated in weekly Last Post services throughout the year where they have engaged with members of the public, read The Ode or laid a wreath in honour of those being remembered.
Throughout these experiences, the Young Ambassadors have been mentored by Shrine volunteers, whose knowledge, guidance and encouragement have helped them build confidence in their ceremonial roles.
Opportunities provided to the Young Ambassadors this year have seen the group forge a close bond and lasting friendships amidst the background of deepening their understanding of service and sacrifice, “being able to take in these experiences with the other ambassadors made it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The Shrine Young Ambassadors program is open to Year 9 and 10 students who are appointed for a 12-month period beginning in January each year. Young Ambassadors participate in Shrine programs and commemorative services, act as representatives of future generations and encourage their peers to understand the importance of remembering and honouring Australia’s service community and military history.
Through the program, they build leadership skills, self-confidence and a sense of purpose while making new friends and strengthening the Shrine’s connection with young people and the wider community.
How to apply
Applications for the 2027 Young Ambassadors cohort will open on Monday 26 October. Further information about the program can be found below.
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