Young Ambassador leadership program

This powerful sculpture emerges from a shared act of remembrance, respect, and cultural storytelling. Guided and developed by Artist-in-Residence, Iluka Sax-Williams working alongside Shrine Young Ambassadors, the piece honours the enduring service of First Nations people across the Australian Defence Force, from the Boer War to the present day, while acknowledging their deep continuous connection to this country.

The artwork reflects the service of Albert Franklin, Iluka’s great-grandfather, as well as contributions of countless First Peoples service members. Inspired by the words of Aunty Glenda Humes, daughter of Captain Reg Saunders, MBE, the artwork reinterprets her reflection

into a collective voice

At the heart of the piece, a diamond purposefully marks the centre of the red gum tree, symbolising protection. The work draws further inspiration from the Durrong Dharrang (Scar Tree), with intricate crosshatching along the border representing the 5 tribes of the Kulin Nation where the Shrine resides. Here, Country is expressed through three interwoven spheres:

Baan - Water (Navy) | Biik - Land (Army) | Woora – Sky (Air Force)

Each sphere holds its own stories, relationships and responsibilities but also highlights the interconnection between all layers of Country.

High above, we are guided by Ngawiin (Sun) and Mirnjan (Moon) through the warm days and dark nights. Commanding the sky, Bundjil, the Wedge Tailed Eagle (Creator Spirit), accompanied by Waa, the Crow (Protector Spirit) soar overhead, protecting the sky, land, water and all living beings. Scattered across the atmosphere, the stars of our ancestors shine the path forward. Many birds travel with their sounds and song whilst the rain pours revealing a rainbow through the highest peaks.

Mountains and hills traverse the land, while the rain cascades down forming streams and waterways throughout the valleys. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders and ancestors gather warmly around the campfire. The tree stands rooted beside them; a guardian of the seasons, it holds the wisdom of time and change. Animals run and jump, carrying their many stories throughout the land.

The ocean and its winding waterways pulse like the arteries of country, ebbing and flowing with life. Beneath the surface, an abundance of wildlife navigates throughout these courses breathing new life and opportunity throughout every corner. The reefs bursts with vibrant coral sustaining the beautiful tapestry of marine life.

This artwork is both a tribute and a statement. It honours sacrifice and resilience while re-centering the narrative: service was not only for a nation, but for family, culture, and Country - past, present, and future.

Peace Within is a mixed media artwork on display in the Shrine’s Education Centre. Created by the 2025 Shrine’s Young Ambassadors with guidance from artist-in-residence Kat Rae, the piece captures a tender moment between a mother and her children—offering a quiet reflection on the impact of war on families. The family is the same group we see in Louis Laumen’s Widow and Children sculpture in the Legacy Garden of Appreciation, but they have been brought inside, protected from the elements.

Kat Rae’s own art practice explores place, memory and experience. She served in the Australian Army for 20 years, deploying to Afghanistan and Kuwait, before beginning her art career in 2019. She is also a war widow to veteran suicide and a mother. Her work Deathmin received the prestigious national Napier Waller Art Prize in 2024.

Learn more about this project

Remembrance Magazine 2025 - Peace Within

During the July school holidays, the 2024 Shrine Young Ambassadors worked with Ballarat-based visual artist Patrick Duffy to create a striking art installation, displayed in our Education Centre foyer. The beautiful, outsized form of a pinecone evokes one of the Shrine’s most enduring symbols of remembrance, the Lone Pine.

A seed pod found on the Lone Pine battlefield in 1915 was carried back to Australia by Sergeant Thomas McDowell of the 23rd Battalion AIF. A sapling was grown from one the seeds and planted at the Shrine. It stood for 91 years, and a sapling grown from a descendant of the original tree now stands in its place.

Below are some common questions and answers that may help you decide if being a Young Ambassador is right for you.

Who are Shrine Young Ambassadors?

Shrine Young Ambassadors are Victorian students in year 9 and 10. This mean you will be in year 8 or 9 when you submit your application. The Shrine of Remembrance encourages students from diverse backgrounds and school sectors to apply. Being selected to be a Young Ambassador is a great opportunity. As a Young Ambassador, you will play an important role in connecting the Shrine with the people of Victoria and beyond. This is a unique opportunity to broaden your knowledge of history and hone your leadership skills as you work to enhance community awareness about the Shrine.

What experience do I need?

No previous experience, special knowledge, or connections to Australia's wartime history are required to be a Young Ambassador. You should possess a desire to learn and to build skills.

How much does it cost to be involved?

There is no fee. You are responsible for arranging your own transport to and from the Shrine. However most other costs are covered by the Shrine. You will be issued with a blazer for the duration of the year. We will also go on a day trip interstate, with the cost of flights, activities and meals being covered.

What are the benefits of being a Young Ambassador?

You will experience many benefits as a Young Ambassador. Some are listed below.

• the chance to improve knowledge, learn new skills and improve existing skills (public speaking, communication, history knowledge etc)
• making new friends and meeting a diverse range of new people including veterans and service personnel
• being involved in commemorative activities such as Anzac Day, Remembrance Day, and Legacy Students Day
• the chance to share family or community experiences of military service
• travel to significant sites of remembrance in Australia
• opportunities to speak at school assemblies and write for school newsletters whilst promoting the Young Ambassador program
• opportunities to speak to the media as part of promoting the Young Ambassador program
• hours may count towards community service requirements at school and towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award

How much time do I need to commit?

There are 10 required and some optional activities over the 12-month period. Young Ambassadors generally perform their duties at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.

What involvement does my family have?

Guardians of Young Ambassadors are required to:

• provide consent for you to apply to be a part of the program

If you are accepted into the program your guardian needs to:

• attend the Shrine Young Ambassador induction
• attend the Shrine Young Ambassador handover service with you and attend the afternoon tea with Shrine staff that follows
• provide medical and photographic consent
• ensure you have safe transport to and from the Shrine for activities, especially those which start and end outside of daylight hours

What other things will I do during my year as a Young Ambassador?

After your induction training you will have some great ongoing opportunities to get involved. You will be invited to:

• attend and participate in significant ceremonial days
• attend an interstate trip experiencing how different places commemorate the same events
• participate in a group commemorative arts project
• interact with veterans, service personnel, Shrine staff and volunteers
• learn about the Shrine, its history, and its importance

Is there a dress code?

When representing an organisation, it is important to dress appropriately. When you are on duty you are required to wear your Shrine lanyard, name badge and the Young Ambassador blazer over your school uniform if you have one. On any occasion where you do not have your Young Ambassador blazer, or it is not practical to wear it, your school uniform will suffice.

What are the national standards for volunteer involvement?

The Shrine adheres to the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement. As a not-for-profit organisation involving volunteers in its work, the Shrine is committed to an ongoing, relevant, high quality volunteer program.  

What are my rights and responsibilities as a volunteer?

Unlike paid staff, volunteers are not covered by awards or work-place agreements. However, volunteers do have rights, some of which are set out in legislation and some of which are ethical obligations of an organisation involving volunteers.

If at any time volunteers have any concerns, they should in the first instance contact the Education and Volunteer Manager.

For more information on volunteers rights and responsibilities see Volunteering Victoria Guides.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Please read the Position Description and Shrine website carefully.

If you or your family have further questions, please send an email to volunteer@shrine.org.au or call us on 03 9661 8139 and we will respond as soon as we can.

The Shrine of Remembrance

The Shrine of Remembrance is Victoria's pre-eminent memorial to the service and sacrifice of Australian men and women in times of war and peacekeeping. It is a building with a soul, sharing the stories of extraordinary people whose efforts and experiences have shaped, and continue to shape, our nation.

A Melbourne icon, the Shrine is consistently ranked among the nation’s leading visitor attractions. Major redevelopment now facilitates the provision of enhanced exhibition, education and learning programs to over one-million people each year.

Charter, vision, mission and values

Charter

The objectives of the Shrine of Remembrance are defined in the Shrine of Remembrance Act 1978, as are the duties of Trustees, which are:

1. Responsibility for the care, management, maintenance, and preservation of the Shrine of Remembrance.
2. The development, promotion, management and the staging of ceremonial activities and events to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Victorians and Australians in war, conflict, peacekeeping and peacemaking, including, but not limited to, wreath laying and other ceremonial or commemorative activities; and
3. The development, promotion, management, and implementation of public programs to inform, educate and promote understanding among Victorians and visitors about the history, experience, service and sacrifice of Victorians and Australians in war, conflict, peacekeeping, and peacemaking, including, but not limited to, exhibitions, lectures, publications, school learning and outreach programs.

Purpose

To be a memorial to honour the service and sacrifice of Victorians and Australians in war, conflict, peacemaking, peacekeeping, and as a site of national, State and cultural significance.

Vision

To be the most special place at which to reflect on the way of life we value, defended by the service of so many.

Mission

We will memorialise those who have served in war, peacemaking, and peacekeeping, engaging through education and storytelling. We will be acknowledged for our leadership and cultural significance.

Values

The Shrine will adhere to, and be known for, the values of integrity, loyalty, service, respect and inclusion.

Overview

Shrine Young Ambassadors are students who are in Year 9 or Year 10. They are appointed for a 12-month period.

Young Ambassadors can actively participate in programs and commemorative events at the Shrine, representing future generations.

Young Ambassadors encourage their peers and other young people to gain a greater understanding of the importance of remembering and honouring Australia’s service community and wartime history.

Induction training is provided at the beginning of the program, along with a chance to meet key Shrine staff.

All Young Ambassadors will receive a Shrine Young Ambassador blazer that should be worn when attending the Shrine to undertake any activity.

Young Ambassadors are encouraged to engage with their school communities via school assemblies, newsletters or other school-based activities.

All activities, except the interstate trip, will be undertaken at the Shrine.

Key activities

Shrine Young Ambassadors can participate in the following activities:

• Attend and participate as required in major services like Anzac Day, Legacy Student Day, Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service, Vietnam Veterans Day and Remembrance Day. There is also the opportunity to participate in a range of smaller services, like the weekly Last Post service, across the year that are outlined in the Young Ambassador yearly schedule.

• Participate in the annual artist in residence program. Young Ambassadors work together with an artist to create an artwork for display in the Education Centre Foyer that is on display for twelve months.

• A day trip to a key cultural site in another state, to learn about commemorative practices and deepen knowledge of wartime service and sacrifice.

• Provide support for the delivery of family programming activities in the school holidays

• Participate in the planning and delivery of the annual Young Ambassador commemorative service which concludes the program in December.

Communication

The key contact for the Young Ambassadors is the Education and Volunteer Manager.

The main email address to use is volunteer@shrine.org.au

Email is the primary method of communication between Shrine staff and the Young Ambassadors.

We use the volunteer software system called MyImpact for applications and ongoing management of your participation in the program. Opportunities to sign up for activities and events are available on this system, so it needs to be checked regularly.