Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Holly Hales

Secret story behind Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance

The design competition for Melbourne's war memorial came at a time of trauma, grief and pride. (HANDOUT/SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE)

With its palatial Greek columns, ziggurat roof and universally understood significance, the Shrine of Remembrance is one of Melbourne's beloved sacred sites. 

And 90 years after its construction in the Victorian capital in the aftermath of World World I, an upcoming exhibition is about to shed light on how the design of the memorial was finalised.

Designing Remembrance tells the story of the architectural competition that attracted ambitious plans for the structure to pay tribute to the state's war dead. 

Exhibit curator and historian Dr Katti Williams said it's hard to imagine the extent of the trauma and upheaval that existed in Australia when the Shrine was designed and constructed.

The Shine of Remembrance on Anzac Day 2024
Hudson and Wardrop's winning design for the Shrine of Remembrance gave it 'a sacred character'. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

"There was a profound, profound impact upon society," she said. 

"Definitely, grief and bereavement but also a sense of pride, heroism, sacrifice, frustration and disillusionment. 

"Particularly when men started coming home and the impact of the trauma of war, both physical and mental, became more evident."Almost 40 per cent of Australian men between 18 and 44 enlisted in World War I and of the 416,809 who went to war, more than 62,000 were killed.

Each of the shortlisted entries for the 1921 War Memorial competition jostled to become a testament to the social and political tapestry of the time. 

Melburnians of the day had been asked tough questions: Should the memorial honour the past or herald the future? Should it be grandiose or modest, solemn or hopeful, glorious or a warning?

Their preferences favoured a design of a cenotaph surrounded by a long sequence of columns, which finished in fifth place, and a triumphant giant arch, which finished sixth.

The design by Stephenson and Meldrum
Stephenson and Meldrum's entry in the 1921 War Memorial competition was awarded fifth place. (HANDOUT/SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE)

Another design, which came fourth, paid homage to Australian flora and fauna, ahead of some of its competitors which celebrated imperial Britain. 

The third-placed design reflected architect Donald Turner's past experience of designing memorials and cemeteries at Gallipoli and featured a towering pylon at its heart.

The runner-up was William Lucas who famously accused the winners of plagiarism, resulting in his vilification by his colleagues for years to come.

His vision was modelled on an ancient Roman amphitheatre, with space for crowds to stand within and witness commemorative events.

The second-placed design by William Lucas
Bitterness surrounded William Lucas's second-placed design in the War memorial competition. (HANDOUT/SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE)

But Dr Williams said there was one component that made Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop's winning entry stand above the rest.

"They firmly believed that the structure needed an interior and it's my firm belief that interior has actually allowed the Shrine to remain so relevant," she said.

"It's retained a sacred character because of its interior and what that means."

The Shrine's foundation stone was laid on 11 November 1927, and it officially opened exactly four years later.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.