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On August 8th, 2025 the Spirit of Australia Foundation will hold celebrate the 20th General Sir John Monash Commemorative Service in collaboration with the Victorian Parliament. These innovative events have hosted a broad collection of Victorian secondary schools, politicians and senior members of the Victorian community to share in celebrating the legacy and ongoing impact of one of our most notable polymath leaders, John Monash. On August 8th, 2025 the Spirit of Australia Foundation will hold celebrate the 20th General Sir John Monash Commemorative Service in collaboration with the Victorian Parliament. These innovative events have hosted a broad collection of Victorian secondary schools, politicians and senior members of the Victorian community to share in celebrating the legacy and ongoing impact of one of our most notable polymath leaders, John Monash. In 2025, with the support of Rotary Melbourne this event will take place at 11 am, by invitation. 

In November 2024, Michael Bennett, Board member of the Spirit of Australia Foundation and great grandson of Sir John Monash attended the anticipated unveiling of the bronze statue in Jerilderee, New South Wales commemorating an extraordinary interaction between two of Australia's greatest figures- the notorious Ned Kelly and a young John Monash.

On August 8th the Spirit of Australia Foundation celebrated its annual Victorian John Monash commemorative ceremony, giving a unique opportunity for students from around Melbourne to join the Foundation at Parliament House, hear from our terrific John Monash scholarship recipient and Department of Defence speakers, and learn about the great leaders we have produced in our Nations short history.
Thank you to all who attended, and we hope to extend the opportunity to more schools in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and hopefully in our other States and Territories in the following year.

2024 Monash Commemorative Service

The Legislative Assembly Chamber, Parliament House Spring Street Melbourne

Thursday 8th of August 2024 9:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Registration required.

Event

0808 - The Battle of Amiens

Gather at the The Shrine of Remembrance

Thursday 8th of August 2024 7:45 AM to 9:00 AM.

All welcome, no registration required.

Event

Hosted by Rotary Melbourne

Monash Medal Luncheon 2024
Presentation of the 2024 Monash Medal to The Hon. Josh Frydenberg.

No 35 Restaurant, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins 25 Collins Street Melbourne

Wednesday 7th of August 2024 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Luncheon or Zoom registrations required.

Event

On May 29th the Spirit of Australia Foundation celebrated the 2024 Monash Commemorative Service at Gungahlin College Theatre, Canberra. 

Keynote Speakers included Col. Brendan Robinson and Dr Laura Dryburgh, the 2022 Chairman's Circle John Monash Scholar.

Laura is a medical doctor and health policy specialist who is passionate about improving health outcomes and equity in Australia. She is currently an Assistant Director of the National Health, Sustainability and Climate Unit with the Interim Centre for Disease Control in the Department of Health and Aged Care. Throughout her medical career Laura has worked with Australians from many walks of life, including people living in rural and remote areas, First Nations communities, those requiring aeromedical retrieval with the Royal Flying Doctors Service and newly arrived refugees. Through these experiences she has developed an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of health challenges facing different communities and individuals around the country. She was awarded the Chairmans Circle General Sir John Monash Scholarship in 2022, which enabled her to undertake a Masters of Public Policy at the University of Oxford which she graduated from with Distinction. While overseas she spent time with the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe where she examined the commercial determinants of health, particularly in crisis stricken areas, and how governments can work to ameliorate these. She currently volunteers on the Royal Australasian College of Physician’s Health Reform committee and as a surf life saver.

Brendan Robinson is a graduate of the UK Joint Command and Staff College and the Royal Military College Duntroon. Trained as a mechanical engineer at the Australian Defence Force Academy, he has served with armoured, infantry and logistics units and has deployed twice. He recently commanded the Army School of Logistic Operations and is now Chief Engineer – Army. He maintains an interest in good writing, world affairs and Army modernisation.