"Here is their spirit, in the heart of the land they loved; and here we guard the record which they themselves made." Charles Bean, 1948 The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. The Memorial's purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war. Its mission is to assist Australians to remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society.