Baffled veterans disappointed over foodie event at the Shrine of Remembrance

A Melbourne Food and Wine Festival “dining experience” at the Shrine of Remembrance has been lashed by some veterans, who say the sacred site has been “commercialised” and threatened to picket the event.

The ’Dine at the Shrine’ event has sparked anger and disappointment among some veterans. Picture: David Crosling

An “unprecedented dining experience” at the Shrine of Remembrance has prompted anger among some veterans who have damned the “commercialisation” of a sacred space.

The $185-a-head “Dine at the Shrine” event, part of the 2025 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, will offer a three-course meal from catering heavyweight Peter Rowland, along with Victorian beers and local wines.

Disappointed veterans called into question the wisdom of holding a foodie dinner at a venue normally reserved for solemn remembrance.

“This is bullshit, total bullshit,” Aussie Veterans’ Association President Dave Menz said.

“Why would anyone think it’s a smart idea to have a piss-up at the Shrine?”

“I’ll call it what it is, it’s going to be a piss-up, they’re going to have all this alcohol there on the Shrine grounds.”

Disappointed veterans called into question the wisdom of holding a foodie dinner at the Shrine. Picture: David Crosling

Mr Menz vowed to picket the event if it went ahead.

Other veterans, however, were less concerned.

The vice-president of one Melbourne RSL branch noted the Australian War Memorial hosted functions, and was comfortable that the event at the Shrine was not in bad taste.

They also noted the event was a tie-in with an exhibition to be held at the Shrine titled ‘Taste of Combat: The Evolution of Military Food’.

“For several years, the Shrine has offered venue hire and events, including catered functions with alcohol,” Shrine of Remembrance chief executive Dean Lee said.

“These events are not conducted within ceremonial spaces of the memorial.

“This practice is in keeping with similar offerings by other respected institutions including the Australian War Memorial and Sydney’s Anzac Memorial.”

Some the event represents ‘an increasing commercialisation’ of veteran spaces. Picture: Getty Images

However, the decision to hold an expensive commercial event at the Shrine rankled other members of the ex-service community.

“What concerns me about events such as this is that it demonstrates an increasing commercialisation of veteran spaces,” former Hawthorn RSL executive Laurence Quinn said. “I don’t see a benefit here, it’s not going to increase veterans’ welfare outcomes (and) it’s not going to increase veterans’ jobs outcomes.

“It’s not going to increase … the community’s understanding of what the issues are that the Royal Commission into defence and veteran suicide uncovered.”

The Shrine of Remembrance is in a poor financial position, recording a loss of $4.14m in the 2023/24 financial year, up from $3.27m the year before.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Shrine, the Herald Sun understands, but it’s unclear what proportion, if any, will be redirected to funding veterans’ causes.

Although there is a cafe at the visitor centre, the veterans who objected to the event noted there was a difference between offering visitors who had come to pay their respects a cup of coffee and hosting a boozy dinner.

“Most certainly there’s better places to have it (the event),” Mr Quinn said.

“The Shrine’s not a place where I would consider having a few free beers and a nice steak, that’s for certain.”