The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects on our gallery floor.

In this episode, we get festive by exploring two Christmas tins that were sent to soldiers in the Boer War and the First World War.

Join Exhibitions and Grants Coordinator at the Shrine Katrina Nicolson as she uncovers the contents of these boxes and how they were sent to the troops.

Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon

Leading Aircraftman Vern Roberts was a fitter with No. 24 Squadron RAAF and was posted to Morotai during the Second World War.

On the 9th of September, 1945, Vern witnessed the Australian commander-in-chief Field Marshal Thomas Blamey accept the formal surrender of the 2nd Japanese Army.

Now 99, Vern has an impeccable memory and shares with Shrine curator Neil Sharkey his memories of service and life at Morotai.

Music: Kevin Grahams, Together

The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects in the Shrine's Galleries.

In this episode, award-winning historian, storyteller and biographer Ross McMullin shares the story of Australia's first official war artist, William Henry Dyson.

Will Dyson created hundreds of drawings of Australia's soldiers at the Western Front, and managed to capture something no other artist could.

Ross references several of Dyson's paintings and lithographs, which can be viewed here.

This episode also discusses the below artwork, Welcome back to the Somme, in detail.

The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects on our gallery floor.

In this episode, we look at the craft of beaded snakes. These intricate objects were among the keepsakes made by Ottoman prisoners of war during, and directly after the First World War.

Listen as Shrine Exhibitions and Collections Officer at the Shrine Tessa Occhino reveals how these snakes were made, and why.

Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon

To view a video version of the talk, click here.

Young Australian teacher Bruce Dowding arrived in Paris in 1938, planning only to improve his understanding of French language and culture. After the war broke out, Dowding helped exfiltrate hundreds of Allied servicemen from occupied France. He eventually paid the ultimate price and was beheaded by the Nazis just after his 29th birthday in 1943.

His story is told in the book Secret Agent, Unsung Hero, written by Bruce's nephew, prominent Australian lawyer and former Western Australian Premier Peter Dowding and historian Ken Spillman.

This podcast was recorded live at the Secret Agent, Unsung Hero book talk at the Shrine of Remembrance.

Music: Maturity by Solitude

Warning: This podcast contains themes that may be distressing for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects in the Galleries.

In this episode, Major David Bergman explains his role in the recovery efforts following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Major Bergman was one of only five Australian Defence Force personnel embedded with the NYPD and other units who worked in the months after the attacks.

Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon

The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects on our gallery floor.

In this episode, we delve into the story of Flight Sergeant Keith Meggs. Keith had a passion for aviation from an early age and in December 1950, he arrived in Korea to serve as a fighter pilot. Over the course of his service, he was involved in two very close calls.

Listen as Shrine Curator Neil Sharkey uncovers these stories and the peculiar way Keith got his hands on an American survival vest.

Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon

The Shrine Stories podcast takes you on a deep dive behind the objects on our gallery floor. In this episode, we uncover the story behind the song, Dream of Australia, which plays in our galleries. Petty Officer Ted McHaffie wrote it in 1936 during a particularly lonesome and frustrating time in his service. Tragically, five years later, Ted was one of the 645 Australian soldiers killed when HMAS Sydney II was sunk by a German raider, and so the song was never recorded. That was until Ted's nephew, Dr Robert Hoskin, decided it was time that this tune had an audience.

Music: Across the Line - Lone Canyon

This podcast was recorded during the 2023 Midsumma Festival and explores stories of LGBTQ+ service.

Chaired by Midsumma Chief Executive Karen Bryant, listen as current and ex-service members share their experiences in the ADF.

Content warning:

Parental guidance is recommended: this audio program contains adult themes and concepts and occasional coarse language.

Support:

If this program raises any issues for you, feel free to call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Qlife on 1800 184 527. Or please scroll down for additional support services.

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of individual contributors and not necessarily the views of the Shrine of Remembrance.

Speakers:

Midsumma Chief Executive Karen Bryant, Yvonne Sillett, Felix, DEFGLIS Vice President Flight Lieutenant Nathan Howarth, Professor Noah Riseman, Defending with Pride curator Kate Spinks-Colas.

Recording:

McLean Sound

Music:

Across the Line - Lone Canyon

Support:

If this podcast raises any issues for you, support is available from the following services:

QLife Australia's first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for LGBTI people. Phone: 1800 184 527

Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service provides policy and community information to gay, lesbian and bisexual, transgender, intersex and non-binary serving and ex-serving members of Defence and their families.

Discharged LGBTI Veterans' Association (DVLA) A support and advocacy association for Australian Defence Force personnel, their family and their friends who were adversely impacted by Defence's historic anti-LGBTI policies. Phone 0400 124 213.

Thorne Harbour Health provides professional, affordable counselling for members of LGBTIQ+ communities and individuals or couples who are affected by or at risk of HIV.

Open Arms Free and confidential, 24/7 national counselling service for Australian veterans and their families, provided through the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA). Phone: 1800 011 046

Lifeline Suicide and crisis support. Phone: 13 11 14

Entertainers have performed in war and peacekeeping zones for decades, but what does it take to get them over there? And what happens if things don't go according to plan?

In this podcast, Warrant Officer Class 1 Mark Langley shares a peek behind the curtain of a Forces Entertainment concert from recruiting to the curtain call. Listen as he unpacks stories of escorting comedians, musicians and performers to gigs all over the world.

Image:

Cold Chisel's Ian Moss with WO1 Mark Langley in East Timor.

Music:

Sylvester Subconscious Cast Of Characters

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Shrine of Remembrance.