A look back on 2025 at the SJMC

The Printemps du Département

Over the weekend of  29-30 March, the Somme Department held their annual “Printemps du Département” (Springtime of the Department), showcasing local sites of natural and cultural interest, with a focus on art and history.

For the occasion, we offered guided tours of the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery and the Australian National Memorial. Visitors learned more about the history of the site and its importance for Australia, and were given an overview of the extensive work carried out by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), in caring for its cemeteries throughout the world.

Anzac Day Dawn Service

The most significant event of each year is Anzac Day, when Australia pays tribute to those who have served or are serving in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. This year, nearly 2,000 people attended the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial, and hundreds attended the Digger Service at Bullecourt.

Anzac Day, observed on 25 April, marks the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. Three years later, the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux reached its conclusion with the recapture of the town on the same date.

For more information about the 2026 commemorations, please visit this page.

The results of the 2025 edition of the Sadlier Stokes Prize

18 schools took part in the 2025 edition of the Sadlier Stokes Prize, which recognises three educational projects by French schools that honour Australia’s legacy on the Western Front.
The prize was announced on Anzac Day by Her Excellency Ms Lynette Wood, Australian Ambassador to France, including, for the first time, a French overseas school:

• The CM1A class from Saint Paul Notre Dame School in Beauvais.
• The 3eD class from Val de Saône Middle School in Montceaux.
• The Seconde 2 Euro-Caribéenne class from Baimbridge High School in Les Abymes.

The Printemps des cimetières

For the annual Printemps des Cimetières (Springtime of Cemeteries), held over the weekend of 17–18 May,  the Sir John Monash Centre partnered with the CWGC to offer guided tours of the Memorial and cemetery, focusing on the history and horticultural work of the Commission.

Ranging from the origins of the creation of its cemeteries, inspired by the English landscape garden, to the floral arrangements of the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, these visits provided an opportunity to explore a different facet of the site’s history.

Visit from the Governor of Victoria

At the end of May, the Sir John Monash Centre had the pleasure of welcoming Her Excellency, the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, and her husband, Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Like many Australians, members of the Governor’s family served on the Western Front during the First World War. This visit was an opportunity for them to pay tribute to those soldiers on the land where they served.

Cycling Month at the SJMC

To mark the passage of the Tour de France through the Somme in July, the Sir John Monash Centre staged a special programme focusing on cycling and its role during the First World War.

From July to August, visitors were able to discover archival photographs showcasing this relatively little-known means of transport during the conflict. Guided tours of the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery were also offered, highlighting the stories of soldier-cyclists who served on the Western Front.

Finally, a lecture by tour guide Carole Laevens gave local audiences the chance to learn more about the French and Australian cycling corps through portraits, stories, and archival documents.

The Centre’s summer workshops

Each year, as the school year comes to an end, we invite visitors of all ages to take part in culinary and creative workshops designed to have fun, while sharing aspects of Australian history and culture.

This summer, three creative workshops allowed participants to make remembrance cards and decorations, while two baking sessions focused on Australian treats — Anzac biscuits and Lamingtons.

The Night of the Stars

August is always a special month for both professional and amateur astronomers, thanks to its clear skies and meteor showers. This year, the Sir John Monash Centre had the pleasure of welcoming a team of astronomers from the Repères Association (the Network for Exchange and Sharing of Education and Research in Environment and Science) for a special presentation.

Organised by the Val de Somme Tourism Office, this Night of the Stars gave participants the opportunity to explore astronomy in the Centre and the Australian National Memorial’s unique open setting.

The event also allowed astronomy enthusiasts to learn more about the site itself, and Australia’s role in the First World War.

A new temporary exhibition at the Sir John Monash Centre

Since September, our temporary exhibition “The Road to Armageddon – How the Western Front Developed, 1914–1915” has been open to the public.

More than 110 years after the outbreak of the war, it traces how trench warfare became established on the Western Front, and highlights how soldiers endured the harsh, cold, and unsanitary conditions of the trenches. Through an interactive experience, the exhibition explores the conflict during the period of military stalemate and the emergence of chemical warfare.

The exhibition is open until February 2026 – book your visit now.

European Heritage Days

To celebrate the 42nd edition of the European Heritage Days, the Sir John Monash Centre offered a programme focused on creativity, sharing, and reflection centred around art, history, and remembrance.

In partnership with local artist Les Aquarelles de Milie, visitors were invited to take part in introductory watercolour workshops, guided step by step to create their own paintings  of the Australian National Memorial.

On Sunday, the artist also gave a live painting session in front of the Memorial tower, creating a beautiful watercolour for an audience of visitors.

Conference by the New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata

The Sir John Monash Centre regularly welcomes partners for presentations aimed at visitors keen to learn about the history and work of the Australian Remembrance Trail sites and other iconic museums and centres on the Western Front. In October, the New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata joined us to tell the incredible story of the liberation by New Zealand troops of the fortified town of Le Quesnoy, which had been firmly occupied by German troops since the beginning of the First World War.

Learn more about the museum and the history of Le Quesnoy here.

Remembrance Day 2025 – Screening of Peter Jackson’s documentary They Shall Not Grow Old

The date of 11 November holds special meaning for all nations that participated in the First World War. At 11 a.m. on that day in 1918, the guns finally fell silent on the Western Front after more than four years of conflict. On this day of remembrance, visitors were invited to a special screening of the film-documentary They Shall Not Grow Old, directed by Peter Jackson.

The film was produced using colourised archive footage from the Imperial War Museum in London, enhanced with added dialogue, sound and interviews with British veterans who served during the war.