Melbourne writer and visual artist Laura J Carroll, will be discussing her debut book Making the Shrine at Williamstown Library on February 27.
A collection of 25 compelling stories about Melbourne’s iconic Shrine of Remembrance, Making the Shrine brings the war memorial to life and traces its journey from it’s early 1930’s construction through to becoming the cherished landmark it is today.
“It’ll be about why the shrine continues to matter deeply in Victoria and why I think that young people especially have a right to feel like it’s a place that belongs to them,” said Carroll of her presentation which will also explore her experience researching the shrine and its history and include a special connection it has to Williamstown.
She said the rich backstory of the shrine was partly why she chose to lean on her artistic background and make it a graphic novel rather than just a written history.
“The format allows for deep imaginative engagement and I hope it will help readers get absorbed in the shrine’s changing story – which in many ways reflects the story of Australia since the end of the First World War,” said Carroll, adding that the project also allowed her to indulge in her love of history and researching archives.
“I found much archival material about the shrine which hadn’t really been explored before, and it was a fun challenge to work the best of this material into my book.”
The free event will take place from 6pm to 7.15pm and signed copies of Making the Shrine will be available for purchase.
Bookings: shorturl.at/irOjo
