The Hall of Service

Explore the Hall of Service artwork in our Digital Interactive. Delve into the stories of those who answered the call to serve and learn about the communities who generously contributed soil in remembrance of them. 

The Hall of Service, at the centre of the Centenary Extension, is a civic space that architecturally and artistically mirrors the Hall of Silence. The Hall was named in acknowledgement of the original Memorial halls and to recognise more than a century of service by Australian servicemen and servicewomen.  At the threshold to the space are the words: “NSW Service with and for All Australians”.

The Hall also draws from the spatial qualities and is envisioned as a contemporary interpretation of the original halls to extend the Memorial visitor experience into the new facility. Visitors are able to see into the Hall of Memory via sightlines through the grand stairwell and the Oculus.

The architectural form and symbolic purpose of the space is reinforced and given powerful meaning by Fiona Hall's artwork. The partnership between Ms Hall and Centenary Extension architect, Richard Johnson honours the original partnership between artist Rayner Hoff and architect Bruce Dellit.  

The Hall of Service functions as a greeting and orientation space for the public, including tour groups and school children; and as a venue for ceremonies and functions, flowing onto exhibition galleries and education facilities.

 

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