The Assembly Hall

Located opposite the entry Vestibule on the eastern side of the Memorial, the Assembly Hall was originally a large open space used as a place where returned servicemen and servicewomen could gather socially, as well as for meetings and forums held by the building’s various occupants. The original plans for the room proposed a raised dais on the southern end, with a protruding stage and steps. This was never built.

The design of the Assembly Hall is more ornate than the general office spaces. The Art Deco detailing extends to the fittings and fixtures in the room. Building details, such as the marble door architraves, the large cornices, the coffered ceiling and the star-shaped lights, match those in the Vestibule. The Hall is now used as a temporary exhibition space.

 

 

On this day

On this day
3 June

1942 — Battle of MIDWAY began. This decisive victory by the US Navy over the Japanese Navy shifted the balance of sea power in the Pacific and forced Japan to abandon plans to attack New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa. Japanese losses were 4 aircraft carriers, 1 cruiser, 248 aircraft, and over 3,000 sailors.  American losses were 1 aircraft carrier, 1 destroyer, 150 aircraft, and 307 men

1944 — 78 Squadron, RAAF, carried out the last major air combat by the RAAF in WW2, off BIAK Island, New Guinea. 10 enemy planes were shot down for the loss of one Australian plane and pilot

1969 — HMAS MELBOURNE collided with USS FRANK E EVANS in the South China Sea.  EVANS was cut in half and 74 of her crew were killed