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Hold a service at the Shrine

The Shrine hosts more than 190 official commemorative services each year. They are held to remember the service of Australian men and women, particularly Victorians, in times of war and peacekeeping. The majority of these services take place:

  • in the Sanctuary
  • on the Second World War Memorial Forecourt
  • at a Memorial Tree and its attendant plaque.

While each service is unique, each contains the following elements:

  • laying of a wreath/wreaths
  • recitation of Laurence Binyon’s 'Ode' from 'For the Fallen'
  • the sounding of 'The Last Post' on a trumpet or bugle
  • a period of silence
  • 'Lest We Forget' (said by the MC, then repeated by all present)
  • the sounding of the 'Rouse' on a trumpet or bugle
  • playing of the Australian national anthem.

Apply to hold a commemorative service

All ceremonial activities at the Shrine must be approved by the Trustees.

Organisations wishing to hold a service should fill out the application form below.

Any remembrance service held at the Shrine must be in keeping with the Shrine’s purpose to honour the service and sacrifice of Victorians and Australians in war, conflict, peacekeeping and peacemaking from the First World War to the current day. All services must include: a tribute to the remembrance of Australian servicemen and women as the focal topic of the ceremony. Services in remembrance of allied servicemen and women may be approved provided there is a close and identifiable link with Australian service. This affiliation must be highlighted during the service.

Please refer to the Wreath Laying and Other Services Policy for detailed information on the application process, assessment and approval of new services.

Post-service gatherings and catering for ex-Service Organisations (ESOs)

If your association or group would like to hold a post-service gathering at the Shrine there are two alternatives:

  1. Public and self-catered:

    All ESOs are welcome to gather in the Visitor Centre and courtyards, as well as on the Shrine Reserve, after their service, as well as bring and consume their own food.

  2. Private bookings:

    All ESOs can book a private space for post-service gatherings free of charge (subject to availability). The Shrine offers two options for private event catering. These are pre-ordering food and drinks from the Shrine kiosk (ESO discounts apply), or pre-ordering a tailored catering package from the Shrine’s external catering partner (ESO discounts apply). An urn for warm drinks is available free of charge on request with either option.

If you have any questions about your application please contact our team on ceremonies@shrine.org.au or 9661 8100.

Please describe your proposed service, its purpose and how it honours the service and sacrifice of Victorians and Australians in war, conflict, peacekeeping or peacemaking.
Proposed date of service(Required)
Proposed recurrence of service(Required)
Proposed service location(Required)
If there is any additional information that you would like to provide to support your application please include it here.

The Department of Government Services (DGS) collects your personal information on behalf of the Shrine of Remembrance and discloses that information to the Shrine of Remembrance for the purpose of requests to hold a service at the Shrine. If you choose not to provide all or part of the information required, we may not be able to contact you or action your request.

If you have any questions about how your personal information will be handled or would like to gain access to your personal information, you can contact the Shrine of Remembrance on (03) 9661 8100 or reception@shrine.org.au.

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For more information on our handling of any personal information, please refer to our privacy page.

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