Inside the Memorial

The structure combines the purely aesthetic memorial function and the offices of various returned service organisations.

The main interior space is the circular 'Hall of Memory' entered from the north and south approaches. A marble balustrade, in the form of a wreath, surrounds a circular hole in the floor forming the 'Well of Contemplation'. It allows a visitor to look down into the 'Hall of Silence'. In this space is the central motif of the Memorial - a group of statuary symbolising 'Sacrifice'.

On the ceiling of the dome above the 'Hall of Memory' there are 120,000 stars, each representing the service in the AIF of men and women from New South Wales during World War 1.

On the marble walls of the interior are bas-reliefs panels depicting the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Army Medical Corps. These panels depict men and woman in uniform resting after their hardships. Behind them march the souls of the departed. Here Hoff was careful to depict the woman as exactly the same height as the men, to show that he considered their sacrifice was equal to that of their men.

Below these panels are four niches of remembrance, in which are listed many of the places of service of the 1st AIF, and some of the battles which they fought. On the floor of each niche, set amongst the Rising Sun emblem of the Australian Army, is a stone brought from some overseas field, from Flanders and Gallipoli, Palestine and New Guinea.

The Hall of Memory is illuminated by amber glazed windows, one on each side, engraved with a motif depicting a stylised rising sun symbol, the emblem of the Australian Army. At all times of the day, the gleaming bronze surface of the shrine is bathed in golden light - representing the hope of tomorrow.

At the entrance to the hall of silence the words 'Let silent contemplation be your offering' is inlaid in marble.