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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for MHHV
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TZID:Australia/Melbourne
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DTSTART:20260404T160000
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260704T103000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260704T123000
DTSTAMP:20260915T225216
CREATED:20260628T095852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260628T095852Z
UID:14973-1783161000-1783168200@www.mhhv.org.au
SUMMARY:General Gordon Bennett’s Controversial Escape from Singapore\, February 1942
DESCRIPTION:FIRST LECTURE STARTING 10:30AM: General Gordon Bennett’s Controversial Escape from Singapore\, February 1942 \n\n \n\nIn 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 many as a deserter who abandoned his troops. The fallout split Australia and sparked significant military and legal scrutiny. This talk will weigh-up the circumstances surrounding General Bennett’s highly disputed departure from the warzone. \nSECOND LECTURE STARTING 11:20AM: The Pleasures of War \nWar is usually discussed through its horrors — death\, injury\, violence\, trauma\, destruction. When people think about human experience in war\, suffering dominates the frame. Yet personal accounts from soldiers\, humanitarians\, journalists\, and many other war workers reveal something rarely acknowledged: war also generates a range of pleasures. This talk investigates the overlooked dimension of pleasure in war and the implications of its exclusion from how we think about war. Drawing on interviews\, poetry and memoirs from war workers across many conflicts\, this talk will explore a range of pleasures absent from discussions around war — job satisfaction\, emotional connection\, meaning\, excitement\, pride\, purpose and much more. \n\n\nClick here to download the flyer for this lecture. \n\n\n\n\n\nLecture Time & Venue\n\n\n\n\n\nSaturday\, 4 July 2026\, 10:30AM-12:30PM\, Auditorium\, Anzac Memorial Hyde Park\, corner Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets\, Sydney CBD. Admission is free of charge but a donation would be appreciated. For further information call 0419 698 783 or email: president@militaryhistorynsw.com.au. \n\nRSVP\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Speakers\n\n\n\n\n\nDallis Fellows is a member of the Military History Society of New South Wales with a passion for the history of World War II in the South-West Pacific and a longstanding interest in the case of General Bennett\, which she has researched at length. \n\n\nDr Jackie Dent is a journalist\, author and researcher. Her journalism has appeared in a wide range of international and Australian outlets\, including The New York Times\, The Guardian\, Reuters\, The Sydney Morning Herald\, Strewth\, the ABC and others. She has served as a communications advisor and spokesperson for the United Nations in Afghanistan\, Pakistan\, South Sudan and North Ossetia\, and worked for many other development institutions\, government\, and non-profit organisations. Her book The Great Dead Body Teachers (2023) was longlisted for both the Walkley Book Award and the Mark & Evette Moran NIB Literary Award. She was awarded a PhD in International Relations from the University of Sydney for her work in war studies.
URL:https://www.mhhv.org.au/event/general-gordon-bennetts-controversial-escape-from-singapore-february-1942/
LOCATION:ANZAC Memorial – Hyde Park\, 126 Elizabeth St\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2000\, Australia
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mhhv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/GGB-400x400-1.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260715T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260715T170000
DTSTAMP:20260915T225216
CREATED:20260409T060814Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T060814Z
UID:14878-1784109600-1784134800@www.mhhv.org.au
SUMMARY:Spartans & ANZACs - 480 BC · 1941 - Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:Australia had its own Thermopylae. We’ve just forgotten it. \n15 April 2026 – April 2027\nIn 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 Persian army. Eventually encircled\, the Spartans and their allies were killed. Their stand\, however\, allowed thousands of comrades to escape and fight on\, leaving an enduring example of courage and sacrifice. \nIn April 1941\, on the eve of Anzac Day\, Australian and New Zealand troops returned to this same ground. Outnumbered and under relentless pressure from advancing German forces\, ANZAC units used the rugged terrain of Thermopylae and nearby Brallos Pass to delay the enemy\, enabling thousands of Allied soldiers to withdraw to safety. \nSPARTANS & ANZACS draws a powerful connection between these two defining moments. It reveals how service\, sacrifice and mateship transcend time\, linking ancient warriors with modern soldiers in a shared legacy of courage. \nThis exhibition invites reflection on the enduring values forged in conflict—and how these stories continue to shape the meaning of remembrance today. \nGalleries of Remembrance\nFree entry \nThis exhibition was supported by the Victorian Government and the Victorian Veterans Council.
URL:https://www.mhhv.org.au/event/spartans-anzacs-480-bc-%c2%b7-1941-exhibition/
LOCATION:The Shrine of Remembrance\, Birdwood Avenue\, Melbourne\, 3000\, Australia
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mhhv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SpartanANZACS-400x400-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Shrine of Remembrance":MAILTO:reception@shrine.org.au
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260718T110000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260718T170000
DTSTAMP:20260915T225216
CREATED:20260707T044258Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260707T044258Z
UID:15011-1784372400-1784394000@www.mhhv.org.au
SUMMARY:Inverleigh RSL Open Day
DESCRIPTION:Inverleigh RSL Open Day supported by Geelong Re-Enactment Group
URL:https://www.mhhv.org.au/event/inverleigh-rsl-open-day/
LOCATION:Inverleigh RSL\, 63 High Street\, Inverleigh\, Victoria\, 3321\, Australia
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mhhv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/RSL-400x400.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260719T133000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260719T160000
DTSTAMP:20260915T225216
CREATED:20260713T114054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260713T114334Z
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SUMMARY:Book launch - Long Journey Home by Katrina Kittel
DESCRIPTION: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). \nThe author will be interviewed by her son. \nVenue Perks: Attendees can also view an exhibition commemorating the 1941 Tobruk siege. \n  \nTo read more about the book’s historical background\, visit the Allen & Unwin product page. \nAvenue Books will be in attendance to sell books. \n  \nBookings for the launch are essential and can be made by emailing RESEARCHPOW@GMAIL.COM. \n$10 ticket (includes afternoon tea) \nAccount name: KATRINA ANNE KITTEL\nAccount number: 537573001\nBSB: 650 000 \nKatrina Kittel is an historian and librarian who currently works in public libraries in the lower Hunter region of New South Wales. For 30 years she was employed in faculty and client service roles at the University of Newcastle\, including student advisory\, research assistant and librarian. She has been researching the stories of Australian and New Zealand POWs in Italy for over a decade\, and was selected for the ACT Writers Hardcopy 2017 program. \n 
URL:https://www.mhhv.org.au/event/book-launch-long-journey-home-by-katrina-kittel/
LOCATION:Tobruk House\, 44 Victoria Ave\, Albert Park\, VIC\, 3206\, Australia
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mhhv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Long-Journey-Home-400x400-1.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260720T113000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260720T143000
DTSTAMP:20260915T225217
CREATED:20260607T063755Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260607T063755Z
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SUMMARY:Creswell Commemorative Lunch
DESCRIPTION:“The Father of the Navy” – Guest Speaker: Captain Andrew Mackinnon CSC\, RAN Rtd. President Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victoria Chapter)\nMaster of Ceremonies Captain Rob Glanvill RAN\, Rtd. \nMonday 20th July 2026 \n2 course lunch with drinks at the bar \nBox Hill RSL Upton Room 12pm \nTo book your place\n$35 per person\nNaval Association of Australia\nBSB 633 000 Account 132655515\n26/28 Nelson Road\, Box Hill \nReference: Your Name\nTo register your attendance and all enquiries ronevans@live.com.au\n0421 361 941 \nProudly sponsored by Australian Naval Foundation Day Organising Committee
URL:https://www.mhhv.org.au/event/creswell-commemorative-lunch/
LOCATION:Box Hill RSL\, 26-28 Nelson Rd\, Box Hill\, 3128\, Australia
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.mhhv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Creswell.png
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260726T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260726T130000
DTSTAMP:20260915T225217
CREATED:20260721T090228Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260721T090228Z
UID:15021-1785058200-1785070800@www.mhhv.org.au
SUMMARY:Open House Melbourne - Drill Hall: A Case Study and Conversation on Heritage Buildings
DESCRIPTION: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). \n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n  \nArchitect/Designer: George H Hallendal\, Commonwealth Department of Works 1938\nThe building’s layout reflects the Medical Corps’ operational needs and military hierarchies: the other ranks’ mess is in the basement\, the sergeants’ mess on the first floor\, and the officers’ mess at the William Street end\, with views over Flagstaff Gardens. \nThe two large drill halls either side of the main entrance provided space for medical training\, marching\, and physical exercise\, with a mezzanine gallery above for observation. A former armoury below ground now houses part of the RHSV’s archival collection. \nWhat’s On\n\n\nJoin representatives from the RHSV and Lovell Chen to explore the pleasures\, pains and potential of living with heritage buildings. \nTour the Drill Hall in the company of representatives from the RHSV and the architectural\, heritage and conservation practice Lovell Chen. Passing through spaces not normally open to the public\, visitors will learn about the building’s journey from military medicine to public memory\, and understand how the building’s architecture reflected its function\, including how rank and hierarchy shaped the building’s social geography. \nThey will experience the officers’ and sergeants’ messes\, and the underground armoury that now houses the RHSV’s archives. During the tour\, we will also discuss the ongoing conservation requirements\, how the building might be adapted for contemporary needs\, and how the building might remain a resource for the Victorian community. The Drill Hall is both a case study and a conversation waiting to happen. \nTour/event summary information\nSunday 26 July\nTours run 9.30am\, 10.45am + 12pm\nRunning for 60 minutes in groups of 25 \nBookings\nBookings required—$7 booking fee applies\nFirst release tickets: 12pm Wednesday 1 July\nSecond release tickets: 10am Saturday 4 July \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn Collaboration With:\n\n\n\nRoyal Historical Society of Victoria \nThe Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV)\, founded in 1909\, is a community-based organisation dedicated to collecting\, researching\, and sharing Victoria’s rich histories. With over 1\,300 members and serving as an umbrella body for more than 350 local historical societies\, the RHSV runs lectures\, seminars\, exhibitions\, and major events including History Month and the Victorian Community History Awards. We use our diverse collection and publications to ignite curiosity and wonder; to inspire debate; to explore and question our histories and how they shape our present and future; and to enrich Victorians’ lives by promoting research\, knowledge\, understanding and enjoyment of our histories to the widest possible audience. \nLovell Chen \n\n\nLovell Chen is an award-winning\, interdisciplinary team of architects\, heritage consultants\, conservation and landscape specialists\, historians and researchers. We bring an unrivalled depth of experience and knowledge to projects across the public and private sectors with work spanning design\, adaptation\, masterplanning\, placemaking\, sustainability and conservation. To ensure the ongoing relevance of heritage places we believe it is essential to critically engage with the past through informed\, sensitive stewardship. Guided by a strong ethical framework\, forensic research\, and a collaborative approach\, we deliver socially responsible\, technically robust and culturally-attuned outcomes of lasting integrity.
URL:https://www.mhhv.org.au/event/open-house-melbourne-drill-hall-a-case-study-and-conversation-on-heritage-buildings/
LOCATION:Royal Historical Society of Victoria\, 239 A'beckett St\, Melbourne\, Victoria\, 3000\, Australia
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mhhv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/RHSV-logo-400x400-1.jpg
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