Commemoration Hub
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people please be aware that this resource contains images and names of deceased persons.
The purpose of the Australian War Memorial is to commemorate those Australians who have died as a result of war or active service, and those who have served our nation in times of conflict. Its mission is leading remembrance and understanding of Australia’s wartime experience.
Through this hub, visitors can discover a range of material demonstrating the diverse ways in which people choose to commemorate Australian service people and events from the past.
Recommended year level
This hub contains resources suitable for all year levels.
How to use this resource
Each area of the hub can be used in isolation, or teachers may like to plan classroom activities using a variety of material.
The first section, “What is commemoration?”, provides background information, discussion questions, and links to resources about memorials and special days. If your school or organisation would like to host a commemorative event, a range of information regarding traditions and protocols can be found in the section “Organising a ceremony for your school”.
You may like to focus on a particular day of commemoration such as Anzac Day or Remembrance Day. Within these sections, there is a brief history of the event, a selection of related works of art, and film footage. These resources can be used as a starting point for further research, and provide opportunities to reflect on the events from multiple perspectives. A range of activities have been included in the Anzac Day and Remembrance Day sections, including cooking, craft, educational resources with discussion questions, and a selection of articles.
“Other days of commemoration” links to information about Vietnam Veteran’s Day, and commemorative days such as Victory in Europe Day, and Victory in the Pacific Day. Content in this area is predominantly aimed at secondary students.
Teachers might like to use this hub to find out more about the Australian War Memorial and the ceremonies conducted on site, or use the hub as a starting point before investigating places of commemoration in their local areas.
You can explore the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial using Google Street View here.
Links to the Australian Curriculum
While studies around commemoration fall in to the History, Civics and Citizenship, and Humanities and Social Sciences areas, teachers can also use the collection material to link to the English and Visual Arts areas of the curriculum.
Primary school
Knowledge and understanding
Primary students can investigate how they, their families, and friends commemorate events that are important to them. They can explore how stories from the past can be communicated, and learn about a building of national significance and what it reveals about the past. Students can also study historical sites of cultural or spiritual significance from their local area, and identify days and weeks that are celebrated or commemorated in Australia.
Skills
Students can collect data and information from a range of sources, explore multiple points of view, distinguish facts and opinions, and reflect on their learning to propose how to care for important places and significant sites.
Material related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures has been included, reflecting cross-curriculum priorities.
Secondary school
Knowledge and understanding
Secondary students can explore the commemoration of the First World War, including debates about the nature and significance of the Anzac legend. Teachers may also like to focus on values within Australian society, different perspectives about Australia’s national identity, how groups express their identity, how national identity can shape a sense of belonging, and what it means to be Australian. The hub also presents opportunities to explore how and why individuals and groups participate in and contribute to civic life.
Skills
Students can identify, gather, sort, and critically analyse information and ideas from a range of sources. They can account for different interpretations and points of view, while reflecting on their role as a citizen in Australian, regional, and global contexts.
Material related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures has been included, reflecting cross-curriculum priorities.