Anzac Day 2026 Seminar

The Australian New South Wales Branch of the Western Front Association has arranged a half-day WW1 seminar in association with our kindred groups to take place on the 23rd of May, 2026, in the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney. This is a public meeting open to all. Three talks will be delivered in the Auditorium of the Memorial from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. This year will mark the fifteenth year in which the Western Front Association has presented its Anzac Day seminar at the Memorial. 

Members of the Fromelles Association of Australia, the NSW/ACT Chapter of the Gallipoli Association, the FFFAIF, RUSI NSW and the Australian Society of WW1 Aero Historians, are also invited to join us.

Please arrive at 12:45 pm to register your attendance and to take your seat. There is no charge for attendance. A gold coin raffle will operate with WW1 book prizes to win. Museum Station and the Town Hall light-rail stop are nearby. Flat-rate weekend parking is available at the Wilson Car Park just off Liverpool Street. Dress is casual. See RSVP details below. Be early to avoid disappointment.

The first presentation and keynote topic will be:

‘The AIF in France 1916, with a Focus on the Battle of Fromelles’ 

Geoffrey Benn

Mr. Geoffrey Benn, President of the Fromelles Association of Australia, will speak on the historical context for this Battle, his research into this battle casualties, and reveal new assessments of the Australian losses actually suffered in the days up to, during, and to the end of active operations at Fromelles.

The branch is especially delighted to welcome Geoffrey who has a deep knowledge of the Fromelles battle and has recently republished his book on the topic. 

The second presentation will be:

‘Janet Ella Radcliff, AANS’ 

Harper Wright

This talk will focus on the many challenges faced by Sister Radcliff between August 1914 and March 1919. She served in Egypt, hospital ships in the eastern Mediterranean, and later in France and England. Mr. Harper Wright is an independent researcher and will present this talk which is based on research he undertook for a Diploma of Family History from the University of Tasmania in 2024.

The topic of Australian Nurses of the Great War remains very popular amongst Australians, and Nurse Radcliff’s story is no exception. Harper has attended many of our seminars and he returns this time as a speaker. 

(Our afternoon tea, show-and-tell display and raffle draw will follow.)

The third presentation will be:

‘The Forgotten Poet of the War, Edmund Blunden’

Sydney Cole

Syd Cole, Co-Vice Chairman of the Australian NSW branch, is a returned serviceman and a retired teacher. He will present a study of this British war poet and author of “Undertones of War”, an autobiographical account he wrote ten years after the war, telling of his experiences and containing his verse. Syd will recite excerpts of Blunden’s poetry and with photographs provide a brief summary of his life.

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This event is free and open to our kindred groups and members of the general public. Raffle tickets for a number of WW1-themed book prizes will be on sale before and during the seminar to cover the costs of the venue and our afternoon tea.

RSVPs to branch chairman Paul Simadas by Monday the 18th of May, please. We look forward to you joining us.

Note: The meeting is delayed into May this year because of venue scheduling issues and to meet the availabilities of our three speakers.