The Centre is named after General Sir John Monash, who led the Australian Corps with outstanding success on the Western Front in 1918, including the famous 4 July 1918 victory at Le Hamel, which became a template for operations that followed.
Located at the Australian National Memorial near Villers-Bretonneux in France, the Centre will be the central hub of the existing Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front, which links First World War sites of significance to Australia, including museums, battlefields, memorials and cemeteries.
“Rising Sun” and “Morning Star” to shine in France
The Rising Sun Glass Sculpture, by award-winning glass artist Lisa Cahill, is an achievement in structural engineering, mounted on a totem, with each ray resting upon the next. It is 170cm wide and 80cm high, with 28 individually cast lead-crystal rays produced angular forms and light projections and can be viewed from either side.
Minimal decoration allows the viewer to focus on the Rising Sun symbol and the solemnity of the occasion.
The Rising Sun Glass Sculpture
The rays will be visible through each other, creating depth and shadow. The amber colour mimics the glow of the Rising Sun. Three-dimensional objects pick up and reflect the surrounding natural light and act as a beacon as the viewer approached from the darkness below.
The textures are reminiscent of the muddy fields and the surrounding terrain where the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux was fought.
The Morning Star Tapestry, measuring 2.4 x 5m was handwoven at the Australian Tapestry Workshop in South Melbourne and will provide a lasting legacy in perpetuity commemorating the 46,000 Australian lives lost and those who fought in the battles of the Western Front in World War 1 and commemorate the Centenary of ANZAC.
The tapestry was designed by prominent Australian artists Lyndell Brown and Charles Green who have been war artists in Iraq and Afghanistan and have had over 30 exhibitions in Australia and internationally.
Work commenced in April 2017 and took the team of weavers more than 4000 hours to complete. International weavers travelled to Australia to weave on the tapestry as part of a unique creative and cultural exchange.
The Morning Star Tapestry
The artists deliberately chose to make the images almost monochromatic – very tonal with a subtle but definite minimum of colour. The overall image is dawn light during winter illuminating a pathway through eucalypt trees and bush towards sunlight, and features inset images of young men who were about to enlist and war-bound ships departing Australia.
The wool was sourced from sustainable producers in Australia and was dyed on site into more than 370 colours, shades and tones, including soft pastels which add complexity.
The Sir John Monash Centre in France was officially opened on 25 April 2018.
What would have happened if the three wise men had been three wise women? They would have . . . asked for directions arrived on time helped deliver the baby cleaned the stable brought practical gifts made a casserole. And what would they have said as they left the manger? “Have you heard that Joseph…
During WWI approximately 160,000 Australians had been wounded, some of them permanently incapacitated. They would need to be restored to health and those unable to resume their former occupations needed to be re-trained and supported. Many needed assistance for the rest of their lives. During that time Eadith Walker formed a close relationship with soldiers…
The River as a Rowing Course Between 1830 and 1880, rowing was the most popular sport in Sydney. This popularity probably had a lot to do with the success that Sydney rowers had achieved in World Championship events. The first Australian to win a World Championship was Ted Trickett, who, on 27 June 1876, beat…
Found in our collection was this stunning outfit. Unfortunately we don’t know anything about it. The only clue we have is an attached piece of paper saying it was an ‘Italian Judge’s Cloak, WWII’. Can you help? Special thanks to our wonderful model, Patricio, who also helps out as our brilliant clever handyman.
The first NSW Military Unit with a Scottish Association was The Duke of Edinburgh’s Highlanders formed in 1868. The Unit wore a kilt of Black Watch tartan and became known as the Highland Brigade before it was disbanded in 1878, following a decline in numbers caused by curtailment of new enrolment by Sir Henry Parkes, then the Premier of…
Gas was first produced at Mortlake on 23rd May, 1886 – gas was supplied to the public on 28th May, 1886. The last electric train ran in Sydney on 25th February, 1961, ending 100 years of tram service. It ran from Hunter Street in the city to La Perouse. The original Palace Hotel in Mortlake…