Calendar of Events

Remembering Australia’s Military Women In HERstory, artist Carla Edwards honours the women who have served in Australia’s military forces, past and present. What began in 2022 as a small portrait project on the NSW Central Coast has grown into a remarkable national undertaking. Travelling more than 120,000 kilometres across five states and one territory, Carla has […]

As the saying goes, “An army marches on its stomach.” Yet the essential contributions of those who cook, research, and serve food to hundreds of hungry troops often go unrecognised. Taste of Combat honours the vital work of the Catering Corps and unveils the fascinating science and innovation behind military meals. Step into the world […]

New Zealand's Premier Airshow - Easter 2026 In 1988 aviation entrepreneur, the late Sir Tim Wallis, shared his passion for Warbirds and Classic Aircraft with the public by creating an Airshow that is now a biennial centrepiece of Central Otago’s tourist attractions. The first airshow and country fair attracted 14,000 visitors to Wanaka Airport. Delighted […]

A Public Lecture by Lt-Col David Deasey (retd) Charles Bean mentions Australia’s railway units in perhaps half a dozen places in his Official History of Australians in the Great War and then mainly in footnotes. They were never part of the initial offer by Australia to Britain in 1914. Yet by 1918, Australia had effectively […]

VAFHO Presents "BATTLING ON" Saturday 11 th April 2026, 1- 4pm Victorian Archives Centre - 99 Shiel St, North Melbourne PROV Reading Room will be open for research l0am- 4:30pm Guest Speakers Lt Col Neil Smith AM Retd: Making the most of your Ancestors Military History Dr Tanja Luckins Women and ANZAC Day 1916 Dr […]

Australia had its own Thermopylae. We’ve just forgotten it. 15 April 2026 - April 2027 In 480 BC, one of history’s most famous battles was fought in central Greece at the narrow coastal pass of Thermopylae. For three days, a few thousand Greeks—led by 300 Spartan warriors and their king, Leonidas I—held back a vast […]

The Pipeclay ANZAC Day Luncheon honours the bravery and sacrifice of Australian soldiers who served in the First World War and later conflicts. This year, we reflect on the 1918 Battle of Montbrehain, the last action involving Australian infantry on the Western Front, where the 6th Brigade of the 2nd Australian Division captured the village […]

The Second World War represents the greatest loss of life in an armed conflict that the world has ever seen. On the 80th anniversary of the war ending, explore stories of the conflict from our collections. Representatives of Britain, Russia, France and the United States accepted the unconditional surrender of the German Armed Forces on […]

Victoria Barracks Melbourne, Carlton Training Depot, Defence Site Maribyrnong, Repatriation Clinic - 310 St Kilda Road, Sandringham Training Depot & St Kilda Training Depot Community information session Defence is holding a community walk-in information session about the divestment. This is an opportunity for the community to speak with Australian Government representatives about the divestment process, […]

Fort Queenscliff&SwanIsland Community information session Defence is holding a community walk-in information session about the divestment. This is an opportunity for the community to speak with Australian Government representatives about the divestment process, transition planning and next steps. Wednesday 29 April 2026 Attendance is welcome anytime between 5 pm – 7 pm Light refreshments will […]

Remembering Australia’s Military Women In HERstory, artist Carla Edwards honours the women who have served in Australia’s military forces, past and present. What began in 2022 as a small portrait project on the NSW Central Coast has grown into a remarkable national undertaking. Travelling more than 120,000 kilometres across five states and one territory, Carla has […]

The Association’s annual general meeting will be held at the Keilor East RSL on Friday 1 May 2026 at 11:00am. All members are welcome. One of the agenda items will be the election of the Committee for 2026/27. Elections will be held for: • four Office bearers - President; Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer; and • […]

This presentation will provide an overview of the manufacturing of armoured vehicles by Australian industry as well as looking at the vehicle types produced by them. Part of the presentation will cover the methods of specification, designing, testing and producing these vehicles. Their use during training in Australia, and on the battlefield, will be covered. […]

Notice of the 2026 Annual General Meeting When: Saturday the 2nd May 2026 Time: 1.30pm for a 2.00 pm start Where: Queenscliff RSL, King Street, Queenscliff Agenda: Attached Nomination forms for the Committee: Attached Apologies: Please advise the Secretary, details below. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the hall. Best regards, Dr Bob Marmion Secretary, […]

The Society of Kalamata ‘23 March’ cordially invite you to the commemoration of the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Kalamata at the Australian Hellenic Memorial, Domain Gardens, Corner Birdwood Avenue & Government House Drive, Melbourne Sunday 3rd May 2026 at 1:00 pm Email: kalamata23@hotmail.com Telephone: 0416 020 865 This commemoration service is in honour […]

Nick Ilić shares the story of SOE Force 133 in the Second World War and examines its role in changing the political landscape of Yugoslavia. The Special Operations Executive (SOE) was created, in the words of Winston Churchill, to ‘set Europe ablaze’. Force 133 was the designation given to its operations in the Balkans and […]

The Royal Historical Society Victoria invites you to the launch of "I'll Walk Beside You!" with author Peter Mitchell, and Professor Joan Beaumont, internationally recognised historian of Australia in the two world wars. Authors: Peter MitchellRelease Date: 04/May/2026Subject: Military History, WWII, BurmaPages: 528Book Type: PaperbackDimensions: 153mm x 230mmISBN: 9781923514645 I'll Walk Beside You by Peter […]

The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company presents: Save the date.   More information to come. Firepower:Lessons from WWII Seminar Series

Join Dr Moran for an engaging talk exploring the earliest chapters of Caulfield Grammar School's history and the legacy of its first soldiers. ‘Suddenly, the Boer opened fire on us from two hills on the left of the road and we knew we had ridden into a trap. We quickly dismounted but were lying out […]

As the saying goes, “An army marches on its stomach.” Yet the essential contributions of those who cook, research, and serve food to hundreds of hungry troops often go unrecognised. Taste of Combat honours the vital work of the Catering Corps and unveils the fascinating science and innovation behind military meals. Step into the world […]

n World War II, there were 1,993 enemy attacks around Australia.Scores of submarine and ship fights, and many hundreds of individual enemy air actions, from Darwin to Hobart, from Townsville to Melbourne, which saw thousands of lives lost. Yet Aussies know little of it. Two new works, from one of Australia’s foremost military historians, for […]

Join us for the Kokoda 2026 Online Information Session on Thursday, June 25 Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just curious about the iconic Kokoda Track, this event is perfect for you. Get the latest updates, tips, and insights from our experts. We will be discussing, how to get there, what to take, visa requirements, […]

FIRST LECTURE STARTING 10:30AM: General Gordon Bennett’s Controversial Escape from Singapore, February 1942 In February 1942, Lieutenant General Gordon Bennett controversially handed over command of 8th Division AIF and fled Singapore as it surrendered to the Japanese. He claimed that he escaped to advise Australia on how to fight the Japanese, but was condemned by […]

Australia had its own Thermopylae. We’ve just forgotten it. 15 April 2026 - April 2027 In 480 BC, one of history’s most famous battles was fought in central Greece at the narrow coastal pass of Thermopylae. For three days, a few thousand Greeks—led by 300 Spartan warriors and their king, Leonidas I—held back a vast […]

Inverleigh RSL Open Day supported by Geelong Re-Enactment Group

The Melbourne book launch for Long Journey Home: The perilous escapes of Anzac POWs from fascists in wartime Italy by Katrina Kittel is taking place on Sunday, 19 July 2026 at Tobruk House (44 Victoria Ave, Albert Park). The author will be interviewed by her son. Venue Perks: Attendees can also view an exhibition commemorating […]

“The Father of the Navy” - Guest Speaker: Captain Andrew Mackinnon CSC, RAN Rtd. President Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victoria Chapter) Master of Ceremonies Captain Rob Glanvill RAN, Rtd. Monday 20th July 2026 2 course lunch with drinks at the bar Box Hill RSL Upton Room 12pm To book your place $35 per person […]

Standing at the corner of William Street and A'Beckett Street, opposite Flagstaff Gardens, the former Army Medical Corps Drill Hall is now home to the Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV).   Architect/Designer: George H Hallendal, Commonwealth Department of Works 1938 The building's layout reflects the Medical Corps' operational needs and military hierarchies: the other […]

Three George Cross Heroines of the WW2 Special Operations Executive & The Australian Cruiser Tank – Sentinel FIRST LECTURE by Virginia Handel starting 10:30AM: Three George Cross Heroines of the WW2 Special Operations Executive The secret organisation the Special Operations Executive (SOE) was formed by the British Government in 1940 to “coordinate, inspire, control and […]

As the saying goes, “An army marches on its stomach.” Yet the essential contributions of those who cook, research, and serve food to hundreds of hungry troops often go unrecognised. Taste of Combat honours the vital work of the Catering Corps and unveils the fascinating science and innovation behind military meals. Step into the world […]

The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company presents: Save the date.   More information to come. Firepower:Lessons from WWII Seminar Series