Education Experience

© A. Carrier

With highly intuitive and interactive systems, the Sir John Monash Centre has been designed to engage and educate new audiences about Australia’s role on the Western Front.

Seven zones cover topics such as Australia Before the War; what happened on the Western Front; the Experience of War; and the Impacts gallery. A visit to the Sir John Monash Centre offers an opportunity to hear Australia’s story and recognise the important aspects of society, military affairs and international politics in the lead-up to, during and after the First World War.

Teachers and students will hear previously untold stories of Australia’s servicemen and women. These stories will be supported by online resources and Centre-based activities. The Centre’s state-of-the-art technology allows students to tailor their visit to suit their interests and meet curriculum objectives.

Educational program: 

To make the most of your visit to the Sir John Monash Centre, book a hands-on activity for your students. By learning of the true story of Valentine Rochfort, illustrated with items he would have been familiar with, your students will be immersed in the Australian experience on the Western Front.

We propose a range of activities developed to suit different age groups. All activities are free of charge and larger groups can be split to rotate through the hands-on activities and the visit of the Centre galleries.

©A.Carrier

Primary school 

Hands-on activities: Discover the adventures of Valentine Rochfort by searching through his luggage trunk.  

In a group of 10 to 15 children, a member of the SJMC team will encourage students to learn of Valentine Rochfort’s wartime experiences in France by inviting them to examine, touch and wear some of the items from his trunk of personal affairs. 

Duration: 45 minutes 

To limit your students’ exposure to sensitive content, we recommend primary school groups couple this hands-on activity with a guided tour of the Centre’s galleries.

Middle and High School: 

Hands-on activities: You are now a historian! Examine various objects and archive material to uncover the identity of a soldier 

In a group of 10 to 20 students, a member of the SJMC team will help students analyse objects and archive material to find clues, which will enable them to uncover the identity of a soldier. By carrying out this investigation, they will learn more about the Australian soldiers experience on the Western Front. 

Duration: 30 minutes 

The Sir John Monash Centre can also provide your class with the resources to conduct a wreath laying ceremony in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery and the Australian National Memorial.

For more information, contact [email protected] – 03 60 62 01 40

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