Australia's war heritage

Memories and Memorabilia

As each year passes, there are fewer and fewer Australians who personally experienced war, with all its horror and loss, but also with its sense of camaraderie and achievement. With them will go their memories and understanding of the way conflict has affected our families and local communities. Out of these experiences came an array of memorabilia in the form of diaries, letters, medals, photographs, artworks, film, and an assortment of other ephemera. Each of these items is a commemorative reminder to following generations of this sacrifice. This booklet is intended to recognise Australia's war heritage and be a guide to looking after your wartime memorabilia items.

  • Memories and memorabilia booklet
    PDF icon pdf (4.18 MB)
Collection care information

War memorials

Memorial in Ipswich with wreath and Australian flag placed at the bottom of it

Locals gather at a memorial honouring people of Ipswich, Queensland, who served in the First World War, unveiled in December 1917. [AWM H17698]

War memorials commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australians during wartime, and are an important part of Australia’s cultural history. Most were created during or after the First World War, and were considered ‘surrogate graves’ for the families of deceased soldiers who could never visit their gravesites on overseas battlefields.

War memorials are subject to similar threats of deterioration as other outdoor collection items. The category ‘war memorials’ includes obelisks, pillars, cairns, cenotaphs, windows, statuary, flagstaffs, headstones, ornamental structures and plaques.

It is useful to document the appearance of your war memorial now by taking photographs and making a written report about its condition and colour, so as to better understand any future changes.

You may wish to employ an engineer of historic structures to check the memorial’s structural stability. Remember to consult the local government heritage advisor and engage an objects conservator if possible. The stability of the memorial is extremely important and will affect your ability to access and clean the object.

Clean your memorial using plain water and a soft brush, which can aid in the removal of debris and bird droppings. Monuments should also be kept clear of weeds that will attract pests such as mould and lichens. Don’t consider the use of a chemical cleaner without referring to a professionally trained conservator or heritage advisor.