A number of Rotary Melbourne members attended the 0808 Battle of Amiens Service at the Shrine on Saturday 8 August 2026. The service commemorated the 108th Anniversary of the Australian Victory at the Battle of Amiens, 8 August 1918 by the Australian Army Corps led by Sir John Monash, Lieutenant-General, Commander Australian Corps.
On the 8th of August, 1918, 108 years ago the Battle of Amiens was fought. It was the first time that all five Australian Divisions fought together under the Australian Commander General Sir John Monash GCMG KCB VD. It was preceded by meticulous planning and preparations to enable the co-ordinated use of all the resources available including aircraft, tanks, artillery and infantry.
After four years of war both the allies and the German’s were battle weary and depleted. Late in July the allies set a cunning trap, pretending to weaken the front line and sending out false radio communications, whilst quietly sneaking troops and artillery to the front lines at night. At 4:20am on 8 August they attacked. Unlike previous offences, there was no shelling until the attack commenced. The battle ground was shrouded in mist which assisted the element of surprise. The German’s were completely unprepared, so much so, it is said that many were killed or captured while eating their breakfast.
The allies were bolstered by more than 500 hundred tanks and 1900 aircraft in the battle which saw a shift away from the traditional trench warfare to mobile above ground fighting, which the Australian’s preferred and at which they excelled. By mid-afternoon the offensive had advanced nearly 12 kilometres.
The German forces never recovered with General Erich Ludendorff describing it as “the black day of the German army in the history of the war”. German commanders were quick to concede that victory on the Western Front was no longer possible. It heralded the start of the One Hundred Days Offensive which lead to the signing of the Armistice on 11 November 1918.
After the war Monash returned to civilian life and was instrumental in the establishment of the Rotary Club of Melbourne becoming its second President.
The commemorative service was held in the Sanctuary of the Shrine, with respresentatives from the Shrine of Remembrance, General Sir John Monash Foundation, RSL Victoria, Engineers Australia, the Spirit of Australia Foundation and Michael Bennett and partner, great-grandson of Sir John Monash. Major General Jim Barry (Rtd) and wife were also in attendance. Music was provided by children from Karen Kim's Hello Music.
Rotary Melbourne was represented by President Carol Bond, PP Peter Rogers, PP Kevin Sheehan, PP Reg Smith, PP Quin Scalzo, PE Branko Panich, Stephen Lake, Karen Kim, Tony Battaini, Peter Berg, Bruce Davidson, Sue Smith, Joseph & Penne Ebbage, Peter Habersberger, Dores Schembri, Yidan Xi and Jo Mavros. Also in addendance was District 9800 Governor Graeme Hope and PDG Murray Verso and PDG Ian Knight.
Following the service, everyone headed underneath to the auditorium, to hear additional music by children from Karen Kim's Hello Music accompanied by renowned pianist Warren Wills and an opera singer.
Dr. Karen McConalogue, Executive Director, Leadership Academy, General Sir John Monash Foundation delivered a powerful address "Leadership in Challenging Times".
As is tradition, the wreaths presented at the Shrine were delivered to the foot of the Sir John Monash statue in the King's Domain.
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