What’s on Wednesday, 4 November, 2009

Federation Guard closing ceremony

Wednesday 4 November 2009 at 4:50 pm

Be part of the changing of the Guard

Australia’s Federation Guard is a tri-service ceremonial unit of the Australian Defence Force. Its members have been carrying out ceremonial duties since March 2000. It provides a ceremonial presence during visits to Australia by foreign dignitaries and for civil and military events, including here at the Australian War Memorial.

The Federation Guard forms a catafalque party around the Tomb of the Australian Unknown Soldier

The service involves the Federation Guard forming a catafalque party around the Tomb of the Australian Unknown Soldier. You may ask what is a catafalque party? Historically a catafalque was a support for a coffin, but it has come to be represented by a remembrance stone or tomb. A catafalque party was originally appointed to guard a coffin from theft or desecration. Now it performs a ceremonial role, honouring the dead.

Complete your afternoon by watching the Federation Guard take their positions.

Remember this only occurs on the first Wednesday of each month.

Proudly sponsored by TransACT