Journalist Fiona Gruber was intrigued by the rich history of The Vietnam Veterans’ Commemorative Walk, located on High St.
Since opening in 2013, the monument has been a gathering place for veterans and their families.
Some 106 glass panels form the structure, which commemorates the more than 60,000 Australian men and women who served in the 1962-75 Vietnam War.
Fascinated by the monument, Ms Gruber wanted to interrogate why it was built, how it was designed, and the impact the Vietnam War had on those who went, those who protested and those whose homeland was being fought over.
“It’s a beautiful and informative commemorative space, and it means so much to those who went to Vietnam, and to the families of those who fought and those who fell,” Ms Gruber said.
“But war memorials are also important civic places, and I wanted to explore the way ideas of commemorating war have changed over the decades.
“This is certainly a very contemporary idea of a war memorial.”
In exploration of these aspects of the memorial, Ms Gruber created both a documentary, titled Let the Light Shine, and a 30-minute podcast, A Memory In Light.
The podcast was made in collaboration with GLAAS Inc, a national charity that supports and promotes glass design in industry, architecture and heritage.
It was also funded and supported by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Veterans’ Council.
On Friday, March 28, a launch event will be held to celebrate A Memory In Light at the Seymour RSL sub-branch at 2 Station St.
The launch will take place from 5pm to 6pm, and will be followed by a dinner at 6.30pm.
The cost for dinner is $15 a head.
GLAAS Inc has advised attendees to RSVP by March 26 by emailing pldore@iprimus.com.au
For more information on the podcast, head to glaasinc.com.au/podcast
20°C