Redeveloped gallery to display world’s largest publicly held collection of VC medals

The Australian War Memorial has began work on redeveloping its Hall of Valour which features the World’s largest publicly held collection of Victoria Cross medals. The Victoria Cross is the highest form of recognition that can be bestowed on an Australian Service person for valour.

The Hall of Valour project is the latest in the decade-long redevelopment of the galleries at the Memorial. Once completed it will feature the 63 VC medals held by the Memorial and tell the individual stories of all 97 Australians who have been recipients of the VC. The total budget for the project is $4.5 million and is funded from reserves. The improvements require the Hall of Valour gallery to close temporarily until December 2010 but the Australian War Memorial will remain open throughout the redevelopment.