On behalf of the Shrine of Remembrance Trustees we present the 2023–24 Annual Report. To paraphrase the inscription to the western wall of the Shrine monument, this sacred place was established in the hearts of our community well before the Shrine arose from the ground. This sentiment remains true as the love for family and mates willing to stand in defence of the freedoms Australians value, continues. As our 90th anniversary of service to the needs of the Victorian community approaches we reflect upon our origins as we uphold our founding purpose and turn our minds to the century ahead.
The Shrine has enjoyed sound growth in attendance in successive years. More than 660,000 people visited in 2023–24: a 16 per cent increase on 2022–23. Visitors included nearly 50,000 students and 75,000 ceremonial attendees. A further one million people were engaged through our digital programming and an estimated one million other visitors availed themselves of the recreational amenity of the Shrine Reserve — confirmation of the Shrine’s role as a major community asset.
One-hundred-and-eighty-eight remembrance services were conducted across the year with community and veteran participation exceeding targets. More than 60,000 people attended the Shrine on Anzac Day and more than 5,000 attended weekly Last Post Services.
Once again, the Shrine ranked among the world’s most visited war memorials; as one of Melbourne’s top three most visited public museums; and in Trip Advisor’s ‘Top 10% of Things to do Worldwide’. We also secured second-place in our first year entering the Cultural Tourism category of the Victorian Tourism Awards.
To achieve such accolades is a remarkable achievement for a public institution with a staff of fewer than 35 FTE employees and a modest budget in comparison to peer Melbourne institutions. We wish to record our appreciation for the extraordinary outcomes delivered by staff and volunteers in pursuit of the Shrine’s strategic objectives.
Three of our oft-awarded special exhibitions were delivered under our Program Strategy: each tailored to attract non-traditional audiences to the Shrine and encourage connection with the historic and contemporary importance of service and sacrifice. These were complemented through two touring exhibitions: one from the Australian War Memorial and one from the United Kingdom.
Maintaining current operations and high levels of service delivery have proved challenging with increasing costs. Without additional support, the Trustees anticipate changes in service delivery will become necessary in upcoming years.
Internally, the Shrine has achieved record levels of self-funding through retail, café, tour and venue hire sales. These have further growth potential and will be explored through the Shrine Master Plan which includes options for expanding the retail and Visitor Centre. We will continue to seek support to enable this potential, and to ensure facilities required to accommodate our growing visitation meets contemporary expectations and accessibility standards.
With funding support from the Victorian Government, we have been able to complete significant capital improvement projects. These include accessible ramps between the upper and lower forecourts, completed pre-Anzac Day, and construction of hostile vehicle mitigation infrastructure. The latter to be completed before Remembrance Day 2024.
The Board's work in 2023–24 included formulation of the Shrine 2025–30 Strategic Plan.
Significant in the strategic plan is the explicit intent to activate and advance the Shrine’s standing as a place of national, state and cultural significance, an action promulgated by the Shrine of Remembrance Act.
Three objectives have been established.
- To memorialise all who have served
- To inspire through education and storytelling
- To exemplify leadership and flourish as a cultural icon
The Shrine will mark its 90th anniversary on Remembrance Day 2024. This milestone will be celebrated through a comprehensive program of events and activations including the public launch of the Shrine 2025–45 Master Plan — a period encompassing both the centenary of the Shrine’s dedication in 1934 and the Second World War (1939– 1945). Visitors and the wider community will be invited to view and comment on the master plan to inform its finalisation before implementation from 1 July 2025.
In delivering our comprehensive range of programming we have benefited from the support of many organisations and individuals.
We wish to recognise the direct financial support of the Victorian Government, and the financial and in-kind support of the City of Melbourne whose efforts aid our operations and ensure the Shrine Reserve presents as a high quality and valued place for peaceful community reflection: the value of the City of Melbourne’s support exceeds $750,000. We also gratefully acknowledge and thank our many donors for their generous support.
In closing and on behalf of the trustees and staff, we affirm our joint commitment to uphold the Shrine’s enduring purpose, to honour veterans, and to advance the Shrine’s standing as the most special place at which to reflect on the way of life Australian’s value, defended by the service of so many.
Sincerely,
Captain Stephen Bowater OAM RAN
CHAIR OF THE SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE TRUSTEES
and
Dean M Lee
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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