Australian National Veterans Arts Museum

11/06/2026

‘The Princes Bridge is a highlight on the worlds only Veterans Public Arts Trail. It was designed by a member of the Veteran Community, John Grainger, father of Percy, who served during WW1.

It is, in effect, the northern gateway to the Melbourne Arts Precinct, for which we also have the Veteran Community to thank for this area. Veterans like Sir Rupert Hamer, Sir Roy Grounds, Sir Ian Potter, Ken & Bails Myer & more.

At the opposite end at the southern gateway to Melbourne’s arts precinct is ANVAM (Australian National Veterans Arts Museum), the Veteran Community’s own arts & cultural institution that, hopefully soon, will move a little further north to 310 St Kilda Rd. A bit more work required on that one!’ Mark Johnston (ANVAM Chairman)

30/05/2026

Shared via
Navy Victoria Network
Defence Australia

A Navy commander's lifelong artistic endeavours result in his oil paintings being displayed at a major creative arts festival.

29/05/2026

Join the team & community TODAY at the Army Logistic Training Centre WELCOME Day! 🎪

17 Saturday, 30 May 2026
10:00AM - 2:00PM
9 Gaza Ridge North Barracks, IVO Gym, Bandiana 🍂

29/05/2026

Created by Sacha de WitCurated by Tanja JohnstonVocals and Song p...

26/05/2026

Thanks team! Get around the Veteran Arts Community by supporting, following & joining Jarryd Goundrey & the Kokoda Historical team on the trail!

23/05/2026

✂️ As the cooler weather🧣approaches ANVAM continues to MAKE space to connect through bespoke, WELCOMING, place-based arts engagement

A focus on co-creation 🧩 with the veteran community, MAKING SPACE is a arts mentor & facilitator-led program exploring a variety of processes, techniques & materials in collaboration & conversation

This community arts engagement program consistently creates change & impact, in a timely & attuned way 🧵🎨🎶☕️ 🎭 🏹🫟

Thanks to all creatives who participated this week & made the time to create space to connect & share - see you again soon!

📖: Invitation 📕 poetry from ‘as I am’
shared courtesy Steve Cotts available to purchase via www.anvam.org.au/store/p/preorder-as-i-am-poetry-book

21/05/2026

310SKR update 🏛️

On Monday 18 May, ANVAM was heavily involved in supporting the Senate reference committee review into the Management of Defence Estate

The committee visited the proposed permanent home of Veterans’ Arts in Australia, the 1937 former Repatriation Clinic at 310 St Kilda Rd

ANVAM Director, Kat Baldwin, joined Senator Jessica Collins, Senator Raff Ciccone & Senator David Shoebridge for the first look inside 310 of any ANVAM team member in six years

We thank each Senator for taking the time to visit ANVAM, view works by the Veteran Arts Community & meet the m team

Later in the day Chairman Mark Johnston gave evidence to the committee alongside the National Trust of Australia (Victoria)

Of the visit to 310SKR Kat said,

“I felt like a child again, with an overwhelming desire to skip into the building & run around inside, exploring every room, imagining the people who had been there, creating their stories in my mind. Listening to the walls share the history of the veterans who came before me. Of course, I walked around nonchalantly as an adult does when trying to keep a low profile. But I was nonetheless buzzing on the inside, finally able to see for myself the interior of this incredible building. To visualise how it could be once again activated for the wellbeing of veterans.

To connect with the energy of a place of immense historical, social & cultural value to the Veteran Community. To feel at ease in a building that has been left to rot for the past 30 years. To not shy away at her shabby parts or feel disgusted by the state of her; nor to be deterred by the work required to bring her back to her former glory. Instead, to feel excited, encouraged, emboldened & even more certain that this is the future permanent home of Veterans Arts in this country. To feel like I had come home.”

📸: images supplied

18/05/2026

A remarkable few days in Penola, South Australia, at the invitation of our generous hosts, Coonawarra & Penola RSL, for the annual & ‘whimsical’ themed, 2026 Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival.

Thanks to all who attended the launch event of The Unknown Widow & Home Sweet Home - a pop up exhibition during the festival.

Officially opened by Mount Gambier Community RSL president, Bob Sandow, alongside Coonawarra Penola RSL immediate past President, Peter DeGaris & ANVAM Chairman, Mark Johnston

Deep gratitude to our generous exhibition hosts - Christine, Andy, Neil, Kerry, David & very special thanks to Dr Luke Gahan for your incredible support of ANVAM, The Unknown Widow & Home Sweet Home 👊🏽

A shout out to the talented, contributing Veteran Artists 🧵Sacha de Wit, 🎵Kirshy McAinch & 📖Lou Stod, 🎥 Steve Cotterill & 🎞️ Liv de Wit, ♥️Anna Taylor with🧤Tanja Johnston - an honour to work alongside you all to share each incredible art work & the stories behind & through them.


Draw Stitch Smile Kirshy McAinch
Home Sweet Home: a Memorial

15/05/2026

11/05/2026

Families gather. Families share.

At ANVAM, wellbeing, community, kinship & culture are at the heart 🫶🏽 of everything we to do.

This National Families Week, we recognise the extraordinary resilience of defence & veteran families - navigating service life, periodic moves & postings, transition & the unique challenges that come with these.

Families, advocates, mentors & the community continue to call for greater responsiveness to the REAL NEEDS of those who serve & walk alongside.

Arts engagement offers a MEANINGFUL pathway - accessible, evidence-informed & effective. Through creative expression, individuals find connection, process experience, positively impacts health & wellbeing.

Arts & creative engagement deserves a CENTRAL place in how we RESPOND to the challenges facing families across service life & beyond.

When families are supported to FLOURISH, our whole defence & veteran community is STRONGER & thrives. A force for change!

📸: courtesy (thank you!)