09/05/2026
Graeme Brennan represented the museum together with representatives from the Maryborough RSL Sub-Branch to lay wreaths at the Maryborough Cenotaph and War memorial for VE Day 2026.
It was 81 years ago on the 8 May 1945 that the Allies celebrated Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day.
Finally, after nearly 6 years of brutal conflict, the Second World War in Europe was over.
More than a million people crowded the streets of London to celebrate. Times Square in New York was just as busy, Paris celebrated right through the night, and in Moscow, fireworks exploded over the Kremlin.
In Australia, celebrations were more subdued as the war in the Pacific had yet to be won.
Australians serving overseas celebrated the victory, as did their loved ones back home.
The next day was declared a national public holiday. Despite the lack of public transport, large crowds made their way to open-air thanksgiving services conducted in the nation’s capitals. In Melbourne, more than 100,000 people attended the service at the Shrine of Remembrance.
Australia played an important role in the Allied victory from the very beginning of the war. More than 140,000 personnel took part in the war against Germany, serving in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Atlantic, including about 9,000 who lost their lives, more than 9,000 who were wounded, and nearly 8,000 more who became prisoners of war.
After Germany’s surrender, the war in the Pacific continued for another three months until the Japanese surrender in August 1945.
Today, we honour the sacrifices of the brave men and women who served throughout the Second World War, and the families who stayed at home supporting them.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
LEST WE FORGET
