Young Ambassador leadership program

The Lone Pine Project

During the July school holidays, the 2024 Shrine Young Ambassadors worked with Ballarat-based visual artist Patrick Duffy to create a striking art installation, displayed in our Education Centre foyer. The beautiful, outsized form of a pinecone evokes one of the Shrine’s most enduring symbols of remembrance, the Lone Pine.

A seed pod found on the Lone Pine battlefield in 1915 was carried back to Australia by Sergeant Thomas McDowell of the 23rd Battalion AIF. A sapling was grown from one the seeds and planted at the Shrine. It stood for 91 years, and a sapling grown from a descendant of the original tree now stands in its place.

Below are some common questions and answers that may help you decide if being a Young Ambassador is right for you.

Who are Shrine Young Ambassadors?

Shrine Young Ambassadors are Victorian students in year 9 and 10. This mean you will be in year 8 or 9 when you submit your application. The Shrine of Remembrance encourages students from diverse backgrounds and school sectors to apply. Being selected to be a Young Ambassador is a great opportunity. As a Young Ambassador, you will play an important role in connecting the Shrine with the people of Victoria and beyond. This is a unique opportunity to broaden your knowledge of history and hone your leadership skills as you work to enhance community awareness about the Shrine.

What experience do I need?

No previous experience, special knowledge, or connections to Australia's wartime history are required to be a Young Ambassador. You should possess a desire to learn and to build skills.

How much does it cost to be involved?

There is no fee. You are responsible for arranging your own transport to and from the Shrine. However most other costs are covered by the Shrine. You will be issued with a blazer for the duration of the year. We will also go on a day trip interstate, with the cost of flights, activities and lunch being covered.

What are the benefits of being a Young Ambassador?

You will experience many benefits as a Young Ambassador. Some are listed below.

• the chance to improve knowledge, learn new skills and improve existing skills (public speaking, communication, history knowledge etc)
• making new friends and meeting a diverse range of new people including veterans and service personnel
• being involved in commemorative activities such as Anzac Day, Remembrance Day, and Legacy Students Day
• the chance to share family or community experiences of military service
• travel to significant sites of remembrance in Australia
• opportunities to speak at school assemblies and write for school newsletters whilst promoting the Young Ambassador program
• opportunities to speak to the media as part of promoting the Young Ambassador program
• hours may count towards community service requirements at school and towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award

How much time do I need to commit?

There are 10 required and some optional activities over the 12-month period. Young Ambassadors generally perform their duties at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. These commitments are outlined in the schedule.

What involvement does my family have?

Guardians of Young Ambassadors are required to:

• provide consent for you to apply to be a part of the program

If you are accepted into the program your guardian needs to:

• attend the Shrine Young Ambassador induction
• attend the Shrine Young Ambassador handover service with you and attend the afternoon tea with Shrine staff that follows
• provide medical and photographic consent
• ensure you have safe transport to and from the Shrine for activities, especially those which start and end outside of daylight hours

What other things will I do during my year as a Young Ambassador?

After your induction training you will have some great ongoing opportunities to get involved. You will be invited to:

• attend and participate in significant ceremonial days
• attend an interstate trip experiencing how different places commemorate the same events
• participate in a group commemorative arts project
• interact with veterans, service personnel, Shrine staff and volunteers
• learn about the Shrine, its history, and its importance

Is there a dress code?

When representing an organisation, it is important to dress appropriately. When you are on duty you are required to wear your Shrine lanyard, name badge and the Young Ambassador blazer over your school uniform if you have one. On any occasion where you do not have your Young Ambassador blazer, or it is not practical to wear it, your school uniform will suffice.

What are the national standards for volunteer involvement?

The Shrine adheres to the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement. As a not-for-profit organisation involving volunteers in its work, the Shrine is committed to an ongoing, relevant, high quality volunteer program.  

What are my rights and responsibilities as a volunteer?

Unlike paid staff, volunteers are not covered by awards or work-place agreements. However, volunteers do have rights, some of which are set out in legislation and some of which are ethical obligations of an organisation involving volunteers.

If at any time volunteers have any concerns, they should in the first instance contact the Education and Volunteer Manager.

For more information on volunteers rights and responsibilities see Volunteering Victoria Guides.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Please read the Position Description, schedule and Shrine website carefully.

If you or your family have further questions, please send an email to volunteer@shrine.org.au or call us on 03 9661 8139 and we will respond as soon as we can.

The Shrine of Remembrance

The Shrine of Remembrance (Shrine) is Victoria’s pre-eminent memorial to the service and sacrifice of Australian men and women in times of war and peacekeeping. It is a building with a soul, sharing the stories of extraordinary people whose efforts and experiences shaped our nation. Located at the southern end of Melbourne’s cultural precinct, the Shrine is open seven days a week. Over one-million people visit and engage in its commemorative and public educational programs each year.

Charter, vision, mission and values

Charter The objectives of the Shrine of Remembrance are defined in the Shrine of Remembrance Act 1978, as are the duties of Trustees, which are:

1. Responsibility for the care, management, maintenance, preservation of the Shrine of Remembrance;
2. The development, promotion, management and the staging of ceremonial activities and events to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Victorians and Australians in war, conflict, peacekeeping and peacemaking, including, but not limited to, wreath-laying and other ceremonial or commemorative activities; and
3. The development, promotion, management and implementation of public programs to inform, educate and promote understanding among Victorians and visitors about the history, experience, service and sacrifice of Victorians and Australians in war, conflict, peacekeeping, and peacemaking, including, but not limited to, exhibitions, lectures, publications, school learning and outreach programs.

The Trustee's vision for the Shrine is: That all Victorians remember, value and commemorate service and sacrifice."

This vision underpins the Shrine's stated mission: To engage all Victorians in commemoration through reflection, ceremony, education and learning."

In bringing this vision to fruition the Shrine Community brings the following values to bear: In all our dealings with the service community, students, tourists and other visitors, staff and volunteers are committed to the values of integrity, loyalty, service, respect and inclusion."

Overview

The Young Ambassador program provides an opportunity for students in Year 9 and 10 to actively participate in programs and commemorative events at the Shrine. Their appointment is for a 13-month period from December to December of the following year. Their key role is to act as leaders within their school and social communities, in addition to representing future generations at Shrine ceremonies. Young Ambassadors encourage their peers and other young people to gain a greater understanding of the importance of remembering and honouring Australia’s service community and military history.

Program structure

The day to day running of the Young Ambassadors program is the responsibility of the Education and Volunteer Manager under the supervision of the Director Access and Learning. Young Ambassadors report to the Education and Volunteer Manager (or Duty Manager on weekends) although other staff have frequent interactions including briefing, and providing guidance, directions or instructions.

• overall program management: Director Access & Learning
• day to day interactions: Education & Volunteer Manager
• operational management: Visitor Services & Public Programs teams, Education & Volunteer team, Other Shrine support staff.

Key activities

After satisfactory completion of induction training Young Ambassadors perform the following duties:

• attend and participate as directed at major ceremonial days eg Anzac Day and Legacy Day
• attend and assist staff, volunteers and visitors at the regular Monthly Ceremonies
• proactively greet and welcome Shrine visitors, engage visitors of diverse backgrounds and ages to help make a visit to the Shrine a memorable experience
• undertake a project to research a service person or an aspect of Australia’s military history and prepare it so it is suitable for presentation
• provide support in the delivery of Family Holiday programs in school holiday periods
• behave with a mature and responsible attitude
• be respectful of all Shrine staff, Volunteers, Life Governors, Governors and Trustees in all interactions and tasks.

Communication

Email is the primary method of communication and Young Ambassadors will be encouraged to regularly check and respond to emails and scheduling requests on the online portal ‘MyVolunteer’.

Accountabilities

Young Ambassadors will comply with all applicable Shrine Policies and Procedures. These are available to read via the online portal ‘My Volunteer’.

Skills and knowledge

Young Ambassadors should possess a desire to learn and share their interest in the Shrine and Australia’s wartime and peacekeeping history with visitors. The ability to communicate effectively with Shrine Visitors is an important part of this.

Time commitment and location

Young Ambassadors will perform their duties at the Shrine. Times and dates are outlined on the schedule and will vary from year to year. Letters outlining service commitments will be sent to the Young Ambassador’s school principal.

Key selection criteria

The following attributes are required:

1. tell us about yourself and why you would make a great Young Ambassador
2. give an example of when you had to connect with new people. This may be giving a speech, starting at a new job, giving a tour or anything else you can think of. What did you do to make it work?
3. when have you had to show commitment to a task or role? Explain how you managed your time, what you did to meet the set expectations and what was the outcome.

Conditions of volunteering

• the Shrine of Remembrance adheres to the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
• volunteers have rights and responsibilities, some of which are enshrined in legislation and some of which are the ethical obligations of an organisation involving volunteers. For more information on volunteers’ rights and responsibilities see Volunteering Victoria Guides
• the Shrine of Remembrance provides an open, safe and friendly environment for all children. Through the Shrine’s Child Safe Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct the Shrine will comply with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and the Child Safety and Wellbeing Act 2005 (Vic)
• appointment as a Young Ambassador is dependent on successful completion of each step of the application process
• Young Ambassadors must read and sign the Volunteer Agreement at commencement of training
• volunteers will be subject to a three-month probationary period from the first training day
• Accessibility: The Shrine will continue to create and maintain an accessible and inclusive environment for staff and volunteers.