The final address for the National Press Club in Canberra by War Memorial Director Brendan Nelson to commemorate the centenary of the First World War was held in the Memorial’s Anzac Hall amid the play of light and dark of the impressive displays that ring the space and provide the atmosphere.
It was a much anticipated address, and as is Dr Nelson’s way, typical of the man who is adept at grabbing your heart strings and taking you on a personalised journey with people who could be your relatives, neighbours, friends or just the bloke down the road, all with the kind of experiences we need to hear to remind of the impact of war across the nation.
Meantime, over at the National Museum of Australia there is a formidable exhibition from the British Museum called Rome: City + Empire with a lot of fabulous heads, bodies, coins, jewellery, amulets and a ‘must have’ curse tablet.
A perfect way to inscribe a curse on thieves and vagabonds who may have nicked your favourite floaty frock and an amulet to assist with childbirth.
A gold one is so impressive but unlikely to alleviate the pain but does double as a bit of expensive jewellery long after the pain has gone.
At the NMA until 3 February 2019.
