Shrine Stories: Tony Gaze
Shrine of Remembrance
If you’ve ever heard a story and thought, “this should be a movie", then this episode is for you. From flying as a fighter pilot, to being shot down and escaping over the Pyrenees on foot, to later racing in the Grand Prix, Squadron Leader Tony Gaze’s life reads like a Hollywood script. Listen as we uncover Tony's fascinating story and legacy.
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Shrine Stories: Peter Isaacson
Shrine of Remembrance
Bomber Command pilots in the Second World War faced horrible odds. With more than half never returning, survival alone was remarkable, but Wing Commander Peter Isaacson’s story goes far beyond that. In this episode of Shrine Stories, we follow Isaacson’s journey of earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses, leading the first Lancaster flight from England to Australia, and even making headlines by flying under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Later, he played a pivotal role in shaping the Shrine of Remembrance into the place we know today.
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Shrine Stories: The Invisible Enemy
Shrine of Remembrance
When we think of war, we often picture the biggest danger being the guns, bombs, and bullets. But until the early 20th century, disease was actually the greatest killer on the battlefield. In several campaigns, illness claimed twice as many lives as enemy fire. During the Second World War, Major Henry Shannon played a critical role in the fight against this hidden enemy. Through innovative inventions and educational posters, he worked to protect Australian troops from the devastating impacts of disease. In this episode, Major Shannon’s granddaughter, Gabby Walters, explores his...
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Shrine Stories: Night Flyers
Shrine of Remembrance
Renowned for his bright, whimsical style, artist Dean Bowen is best known for works that bring joy to audiences. But in this episode, we explore a surprising shift. Inside the Shrine’s Galleries hangs Night Flyers, a powerful departure from Bowen’s usual tone. Join us as Dean shares the story behind this work and why he felt compelled to create it.
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Behind Eucalypts of Hodogaya: A Landscape of Reconciliation
Shrine of Remembrance
Nestled in the quiet hills of Yokohama lies a place few Australians know about, yet its story binds us to an important chapter of our past.Yokohama War Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 1,500 Commonwealth service personnel who lost their lives during the Second World War. But this cemetery tells more than a story of loss. It speaks to reconciliation not only between former enemies, but between the very nations that shaped its creation. The story of the cemetery is shared in the Shrine’s special exhibit Eucalypts of Hodogaya. Join two of the exhibition curators,...
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Shrine Stories: The Lone Pine
Shrine of Remembrance
You've probably heard of the Lone Pine Tree. It's one of the most iconic symbols in the world of military botanicals. But how much do you know about its origins? And how can you tell if a Lone Pine is actually the real deal? In this episode, we're diving deep into the roots (pun intended!) of this living memorial with Shrine volunteer Mary Ward.
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Shrine Stories: The Saddle
Shrine of Remembrance
Discover the unlikely, and at times almost unbelievable story behind a horse saddle on display in the Shrine's Galleries of Remembrance. Former Warrant Officer Leon Dimmack joins us to uncover the tale and how the saddle went from almost being thrown in the trash to an invaluable treasure.
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Hide and Seek: The History of Camouflage
Shrine of Remembrance
Uncover the world of camouflage with author and academic Professor Ann Elias. Explore the artists, creatives, and naturalists who shaped camouflage techniques during conflict, the challenges they faced, and how their creative contributions influenced the Australian military. From face paint to full scale deception, you’ll discover there’s more to camouflage than meets they eye.
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Shrine Stories: The Lotus Shoes
Shrine of Remembrance
These detailed, intricate shoes may look beautiful, but they have a horrific history. In this episode of Shrine Stories, join Exhibitions Coordinator Katrina Nicolson as she uncovers the story behind a pair of Lotus shoes on display in our galleries, and their unlikely link to stories of service. WARNING: This episode contains themes that may be distressing for some audience. Listener discretion is advised.
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Shrine Stories: The Shrine Guard
Shrine of Remembrance
If you've been to a service at the Shrine, you will have seen our Shrine Guard dressed in their distinct uniform. And this year marks 90 years of their service to the Shrine. In this episode you'll uncover how the Shrine Guard were formed, what their role looks like today, and importantly, how long it takes to shine their shoes with Senior Protective Services Officer David Rose'Meyer.
info_outlineThe Shrine of Remembrance acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we honour Australian service men and women, and we pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging.
Please note that the audio does contain some sound effects of war, protest and discussion around suicide.
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In this podcast, an interview with independent historian Dr. Peter Yule about ‘The Long Shadow: Australia's Vietnam Veterans Since the War’, a book that explores the medical, psychological and health legacies of the Vietnam War on Australia’s veteran community. Vietnam veterans are still our biggest, recognisable veteran cohort, also regarded as today’s ‘keepers of ANZAC’.
Peter Yule is a research fellow in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne. He is interviewed by Megan Spencer, a broadcaster and podcast producer with a particular interest in remembrance and the impact of military service.
At almost 700 pages, ‘The Long Shadow’ is a broad, detailed and compelling study of the specific and unique experiences faced by Vietnam veterans involved in Australia’s most socially and politically divisive overseas war to date - and its very human cost.
In researching and writing the book, Peter says that the only stipulation given to him editorially “was to make sure the voice of the veterans was heard”. It includes powerful insights from Vietnam veterans, their family members, medical experts, veteran advocates and others. As one reviewer wrote, ‘The Long Shadow’ addresses “deficiencies of past studies’ failure to engage with the lived experience of veterans”.
‘The Long Shadow’ was commissioned by the Australian War Memorial and is published by New South Publishing. It was published on the 1st of November, 2020.
Megan interviewed Peter just after it’s publication, in early December 2020.
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Credits
Speaker: Peter Yule
Interviewer/Producer/Sound: Megan Spencer.
Archival sounds:
‘Action in Vietnam 1966’. Audio supplied by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia’s Film Australia Collection.
‘Or Forever Hold Your Peace’ (1970). Audio supplied by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia’s Australian Screen Collection and used with kind permission from Richard Brennan.
'Christmas messages 1968, Victorian version DPR/TV/Soldiers greetings from Vietnam'. Australian War Memorial Collection, Accession No. F04694. Item copyright held by the Australian War Memorial ©, licensed under Creative Commons and used with kind permission.
Special thanks to:
Dr. Peter Yule for his time and for the generous interview.
Thank you:
Greta Wass (AWM)
Naomi Wanner (NFSA)
Richard Brennan (Or Forever Hold Your Peace)
Jez Conlon (Ho Chi Minh City sounds)
Kris Keogh
Dr. Karl James
Michael Kelly
Anne Yule
Oliver Budack
A commemorative and educational podcast made for the Shrine of Remembrance.
This interview is dedicated to Australia’s Vietnam veterans and their families.
More about Dr. Peter Yule https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/10843-peter-yule
More about New South Publishing http://www.newsouthpublishing.com/articles/long-shadow/
More about Tom Frame and his work on moral injury https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/health/unsw-canberra-shines-light-moral-injury
More about Megan Spencer https://www.themeganspencer.com/
Disclaimer
The speakers’ view are their own and while all reasonable attempts are made to avoid inaccuracy, interviews should not necessarily be understood as statements of fact or opinions endorsed by the Shrine of Remembrance.
If this interview raises any issues for you, please contact:
Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14
Open Arms (formerly VVCS) - Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 website https://www.openarms.gov.au/
ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line on 1800 628 036
Interview duration: 52:39
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