Historical information

“The greatest gathering in Australia” – The Argus, 12 November 1934

On Armistice Day, 11 November 1934, the Dedication Ceremony for the Shrine of Remembrance was held in the Domain, presided over by Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester. A crowd of over 300,000 people - about one third of Melbourne's population at the time - attended.

Featured in "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023. Exhibition caption by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie.

Photographer notations on slide: "Multitude before Shrine at Dedication 1934 B62"

Description: Massive crowd gathered in southern forecourt of Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance on 11 November 1934, for its opening dedication by the Duke of Gloucester. There were an estimated 300,000 in attendance (almost one third of Melbourne's population of 1 million).

Research by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie:
There were an estimated 300,000 people in attendance for the opening dedication of the Shrine of Remembrance on 11 November 1934. This was almost one third of Melbourne's population of 1 million. Age photographer Hugh Bull cleverly captured the massive crowd using two glass plate exposures. This elevated view is captured from the Shrine and takes in the westward area with St Kilda Road trams and mansions, St Kilda Presbyterian Church, the two-storied, curved Princes Terrace, Macpherson Robertson Fountain, South African (Boer) War Memorial, MacRobertson’s Girls High School, Albert Park Lake and Port Phillip Bay. The corresponding eastward view can be accessed via the "Related material link" in the item record.

References:
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM."--THE MULTITUDE BEFORE THE SHRINE. (1934, November 12). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205078252

Physical description

Glass plate negative

Inscriptions & markings

Photographer notations on slide: "Multitude before Shrine at Dedication 1934 B62".