Another plan change

I had planned on taking the hop on hop off bus for the day, but as the only taker, he wouldn't run it. 

Reflecting Canberra's planning 

So it was public bus to the war memorial and I experimented with the advice that my senior card is a good alternative to other options and it works. 

Pool of memories 

On approaching the main building a circular garden bed wall was etched with John McCray's timeless words; they always choke me up.

In Flanders Fields the poppies grow...

I admired the pool of remembrance, catching the end of some formalities then headed upstairs. A small tour was in progress and upon inquiring I was permitted to join. A most worthwhile thing to do. The guide was passionately knowledgeable.

Wall of remembrance:
first world war 

As I joined the tour the guide was telling the story of one name inscribed on the first world war wall of remembrance - a boy not yet 15! The youngest casualty listed at the memorial. One of so very many!

Tomb of the unknown soldier 

The tomb of the unknown soldier was rather sobering, again so many unknown casualties.

One of the three sets of stained 
glass panels in the tomb.
All represent Australian values 

A series of dioramas were particularly well done.

The tomb of the tomb,
full of symbolism 

And the more recent acknowledgement that war casualties are not only those killed, injured or lost in combat but also those whose lives are so affected by their experience that suicide is their escape. The Afghanistan conflict memorial is incomplete...

Commemorating the end of WW

And the exhibition of the war in Vietnam triggered thoughts of the Redgum song Only 19.

I only wish that humankind could learn from history ...

Memin Gate at midnight. Will Longstaff 
Remembering Sassoon's poem

On Wednesday afternoon I checked out the Aboriginal tent embassy - not too many there

Then I visited Old Parliament House, once flagged for demolition but fortunately reprieved. 

The Senate,
I loved the wood panelling 

I checked out the political cartoons before joining a highlights tour with a very knowledgeable guide. 

The legislative assembly
(in green, of course)

I rather enjoyed the display of Queen Elizabeth's 1954 visit to Australia. She was absolutely beautiful as a young woman.

Australia's replica crown jewels 

The Queen opens parliament, 1954

I checked out some of the museum of democracy displays. Including what has been achieved by protest. Our state government would do well to remember this.

I also checked out the display about that interesting day when the Governor General ordered the dissolution of parliament: 11 November 1975. The following morning I was trying to do some last minute study for my reproductive physiology exam and my house guest wanted to indignantly discuss politics.

King George 

I was a bit peeved when I arrived back at my accommodation to find someone had taken some of my food. When asked about it, he did replace it, albeit not in the timeframe I would have liked.