Honouring the ANZAC story

GLENELG Shire Council invites the community to gather at Portland Arts Centre for Brown Slouch Hat: A Salute to the ANZACS & VETS, a moving live production honouring the courage, sacrifice and enduring spirit of Australia’s service men and women.

Fully sanctioned by the Federal Government’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Brown Slouch Hat is the only stage production permitted to use the word ANZACS.

This powerful work pays tribute to ANZAC and Vietnam veterans through personal stories, letters and songs from the 1940s, 50s and 60s, brought vividly to life with evocative imagery on the big screen.

Audiences will be transported through time with much loved songs made famous by The Andrews Sisters, Vera Lynn, Bob Dylan, John Denver, Tom Jones and more.

Musical highlights include Blue Moon, Chattanooga Choo Choo, You’ll Never Know, Green Green Grass of Home, Leaving on a Jet Plane, Blowin’ in the Wind, You’ll Never Walk Alone, The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, and a stirring arrangement of Bring Him Home from Les Misérables.

Starring acclaimed tenor Roy Best and international soprano Alison Jones, alongside compère Christopher McKenna and virtuoso pianist William Schmidt, the performance blends warmth and humour with deeply moving moments of remembrance.

Together, they honour those who gave their lives in service to Australia, and those who carried the weight of war home with them.

Presented in the lead up to ANZAC Day, Brown Slouch Hat offers a respectful and reflective evening that invites audiences to remember, honour and share the stories that continue to shape our national identity.

Event details:

Venue: Portland Arts Centre Corner of Glenelg and Bentinck Streets, Portland VIC

Date: Friday, April 17

Time: 7.30 pm

Bookings: Portland Arts Centre Phone (03)5522 2263 or book online anytime at www.portlandartscentre.com.au