The Shrine of Remembrance is Victoria’s national war memorial, built to honour the service and sacrifice of generations of Australians. Open daily with free admission, it combines a world-class museum, peaceful memorial gardens, and breathtaking views across Melbourne — making it one of the most moving and meaningful places to visit in the city. It is a space for quiet reflection, for learning, and for connecting with history that has shaped the nation.
The Exhibition — Spartans & ANZACs
Right now, the Shrine is hosting a very special exhibition that speaks directly to the Greek heritage we celebrate at Zenon. Spartans & ANZACs runs from 15 April 2026 through to April 2027, and entry is completely free.
In 480 BC, one of history’s most famous battles was fought at the narrow coastal pass of Thermopylae, where 300 Spartan warriors led by King Leonidas held back a vast Persian army for three extraordinary days. Their stand allowed thousands of comrades to escape and fight on, leaving an enduring legacy of courage and sacrifice. More than 2,400 years later, Australian and New Zealand troops returned to that very same ground — in April 1941, on the eve of Anzac Day, facing overwhelming German forces at Thermopylae and the nearby Brallos Pass.
The exhibition draws a powerful connection between these two defining moments, revealing how service, sacrifice and mateship transcend time, linking ancient warriors with modern soldiers in a shared legacy of courage. For students of Greek heritage, this is a rare and wonderful opportunity to see ancient Greek history honoured within one of Australia’s most respected institutions — a reminder that the values we inherit from our ancestors continue to resonate across millennia, and that the story of Greece is woven into the story of this country too. We warmly encourage all Zenon families to visit.
Zenon Greek School has recognised this opportunity for our students to learn and become proud of their heritage and wanted to share it with parents. We have visited the Exhibition ourselves and feel that it is worth the time for families to attend, something that will provide life-long lessons for our students.
There is a large array of other exhibits in the Shrine of Remembrance Museum but the one mentioned above provides exceptional audio-visual material, a connection between battles in different circumstances with the same parallels. Make the time to witness history and appreciate the sacrifice of these young men.
Flowers of Rethymnon Documentary Screening at the Shrine of Remembrance
In addition to the above Museum Display we are pleased to share details of a special screening of the documentary Flowers of Rethymnon at the Shrine of Remembrance. We encourage families to book their tickets through the Shrine of Remembrance.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, 30 August 2026
Time: 2.00 pm – 4.45 pm
Venue: Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne
Presented in both Greek and English, Flowers of Rethymnon is a drama-documentary based on the memoirs of Australian soldier Lewis (Lew) Lind, a member of the Australian 2/11 Battalion, 3 Company, who defended Rethymnon during the German invasion of Crete in 1941.
Following the occupation of Crete, Lind escaped from a prisoner-of-war camp with three fellow soldiers and was sheltered by the people of Crete. The documentary combines interviews with Lind during his return to Crete in the 1980s, dramatic re-enactments of his wartime experiences with fellow soldier Dick Plant, and rare archival German newsreel footage of the invasion of Crete.
This special screening commemorates the 40th anniversary of the documentary’s original release, which was filmed in Melbourne, celebrating an enduring story of courage, sacrifice, and the unique bond between the people of Crete and Australian servicemen during the Second World War.
Following the screening, guests are welcome to enjoy light refreshments and, if they wish, attend the Shrine’s Last Post Service at 4.45 pm.
We would greatly appreciate your support in promoting this event to your members, families and wider community networks. As the documentary is presented in both Greek and English, it provides a wonderful opportunity for audiences of all backgrounds to learn about this important chapter of our shared history and the enduring friendship between Crete and Australia.
Tickets are available for purchase directly through the Shrine of Remembrance. Please refer to the flyer below for booking details.