Anzac Station opens – bringing Victorians even closer to Melbourne’s commemorative heart
Earlier today, representatives from RSL Victoria and the Shrine of Remembrance joined Victorian Premier, Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, Minister for Veterans, Hon. Natalie Suleyman MP, Minister for Transport, Hon. Gabrielle Williams MP and officials from the Metro Tunnel Project at Anzac Station, ahead of its official opening on 30 November.
One of five stations comprising the Metro Tunnel Project, Anzac Station is located on St Kilda Road opposite the Shrine of Remembrance. The station’s prime location will make attending commemorative events such as ANZAC Day more convenient and accessible for veterans and their families, as well as the general public.
RSL Victoria State Executive member, Eamon Hale, attended the opening.
Mr Hale said, “Anzac Station will serve as a constant reminder to the public, who might not walk up the road to the Shrine, but will come through here and realise military service is relevant – they can see it now, in this space.
“The children that come through here will say to their mums and dads, ‘What does ANZAC mean?’ and that will flow on into an awareness of Timor and Afghanistan, of modern conflict and those still serving.”
Thoughtfully designed, the timber canopy above Anzac Station brings natural elements of its local environment into the station, whilst blending it into its surrounds. The station’s entrances, along with the canopy’s skylights, flood the expansive and open foyer with natural light, creating a warm and bright space for commuters.
anzac station art
Aesthetically, Anzac Station combines its proximity to both the Shrine and the Royal Botanical Gardens with artwork drawn from both historic locations.
Carrier pigeons
Artist Fiona Hall recognises Australian military service through her bronze sculptures of two Victorian-bred carrier pigeons. The pigeons, known as DD.42.T.139 and DD.43.Q.879, both played significant roles during World War II, delivering messages that gave Allied forces enough time to defend themselves. The pigeons were awarded the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross for their service.
plants for remembrance
Alongside the pigeons are glass wall panels, etched with images of plant species strongly connected to Australia’s military history. These include Lone Pine, Gallipoli Oak, Gallipoli Rose, Flanders Poppy, Lombardy Poplar and Rosemary – all species that grow at the battleground of many fallen Australians, Gallipoli.
a path of remembrance
At the entrance of the station, eleven bronze poppies adorn a wall to reflect the poppies of Flanders Fields. Cast in bronze, the poppies draw a strong connection to the neighboring Shrine of Remembrance, serving as a permanent tribute to Australia’s fallen service men and women, and permeating the everlasting symbol of commemoration.
With each poppy representing honour, sacrifice and the hope for peace, The Path of Remembrance invites all who pass by to pause and remember those who served and sacrificed.
ANZAC or Anzac?
RSL Victoria has always capitalised the word “ANZAC,” regardless of where or how it is being used – ANZAC Day, the ANZACs, the ANZAC Spirit, even an ANZAC biscuit. To the RSL, when we use ANZAC in any way, we reference the corps and, by extension, all soldiers who served within it.
To the RSL, anything “ANZAC” ties back to its origins – the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps formed during World War I. The legendary bravery of the ANZACs during the Gallipoli Campaign has come to symbolise not just a distinctly Antipodean style of camaraderie, but the sacrifices of all who have served and all who continue to serve that we recognise and commemorate every 25 April.
However, the RSL recognises that we are in the minority of organisations that steadfastly capitalises the acronym. Respected organisations such as The Australian War Memorial (AWM) and The Shrine of Remembrance only capitalise ANZAC when it is in direct reference to the corps itself.
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) states, there “is no rule or law that indicates how the word ‘Anzac’ should be capitalised” and that, since 1915, the “original acronym had already found a use beyond that of a military code word or corps designation. Since that time, ‘Anzac’ and ‘ANZAC’ have been used interchangeably.”
The RSL will continue to capitalise ANZAC when used in any way in tribute to the corps and all who served within it. However, we emphasise that there is nothing incorrect or offensive in the use of “Anzac.” As such, Anzac Station is correctly named, and we take no issue with the mixed-case use of the word.
The station itself is a thoughtful and respectful tribute to all who served in Australia’s defence forces. Its proximity to the Shrine and the Royal Botanical Gardens makes it a perfect and convenient location for the tens of thousands of Victorians who commemorate ANZAC Day on April 25 every year.
Anzac Station officially opens to the public this Sunday 30 November. For more information on the station, and the Metro Tunnel Project, please click HERE.
