New documentary shines a light on Australian service

About the film 

Let the Light Shine is a 30-minute documentary that takes a deep-dive into the representation of war and remembrance through the medium of glass. The film explores the social, cultural and historical themes from five stained glass works representing Australia’s involvement in conflicts spanning the Boer War to the War in Afghanistan. 

The documentary was funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ Saluting Their Service and the United Nations’ International Year of Glass 2022 grants programs, and produced by GLAAS Inc., a not-for-profit arts organisation operating to support Australia’s glass art and architecture industry.  

We spoke with Dr Bronwyn Hughes OAM, President of GLAAS Inc. to discuss the significance of Australian commemorative glass, and how Let the Light Shine came to the big screen. 

The historical significance of stained glass 

Dr Hughes has forged her career as an expert in Australian glass art over more than four decades. In recent years she has dedicated her research to surveying Australian commemorative stained glass artworks.  

“I love calling stained glass ‘documents of history’ because you can learn so much about your own country from it and what’s gone on in these hidden corners of war that we don’t hear about,” Dr Hughes says.  

“Stained glass is a very good medium for conveying the idea of commemoration, especially when it’s in a church; the luminosity and colour in them gets everybody in, whether they are religious or not. However, I am also interested in secular settings like the Australian War Memorial, where the idea of the Saint in a church is transported into figures of serving officers and men.” 

Dr Hughes conceptualised Let the Light Shine with photographer Vlad Bunyevich while the two worked together on an exhibition for the Shrine of Remembrance in 2008. The documentary is the result of years of hard work, promising viewers a fascinating tale of courage, conflict and civic pride. 

“In this documentary, we try to bring together the various themes of how commemoration has changed over the course of more than a century of war, and how iconography changes with the changing Australian society. 

“Stained glass had never been shown as part of the commemorative story, although it is quite an important part of it. There are hidden stories within the glass, about the service and sacrifice of the men and women in the windows.” 

The next step was to choose which works to include in the film. With more than 500 pieces identified by Dr Hughes in Victoria alone, it may be surprising to hear that the pieces almost “chose themselves”. The highlighted works include: 

• a window commemorating Private John Charlton, who served in the Boer War (Shrine of Remembrance, Victoria) 
• a window honouring First Nations service men from World War I (Raukkan, South Australia) 
• a window honouring the 58th-59th Battalion’s service in Bougainville during World War II (Mordialloc, Victoria) 
• a laminated glass panel installation printed with 80 photographs chosen by veterans of the Vietnam War (Seymour, Victoria) 
• a window representing the Victoria Cross being awarded to the parents of Corporal Cameron Baird, who served in the War in Afghanistan (Brisbane, Queensland). 

RSL Queensland proudly assisted filming the Victoria Cross window in Brisbane, facilitating interviews with the people who inspired the artwork.  

“RSL Queensland was so wonderful in helping us film. We are so glad that they came on board and were able to get Dame Quentin Bryce to come along and speak with the parents of Cameron Baird, who's the subject of the window,” Dr Hughes says. 

Memorialising valour and courage 

Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG lost his life during operations in Afghanistan in 2013. His Victoria Cross was awarded by the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, then Governor-General, to his mother Kaye Baird on 18 February 2014. It was this moment that has been memorialised in stained glass in St. Augustine’s Church, Hamilton.  

“It’s lovely to be back here talking about this beautiful memorial to courage, love and bravery – the finest human values and principles,” Dame Bryce says in her interview for the documentary.

“When I look at the window…there’s so much that touches my heart. I think the hands in particular are symbolic of the bonds that women share, the solidarity of sisterhood. 

“It’s a beautiful image, the two hands. Of course, to hold a Victoria Cross in your hand is a very special thing. To think of its history and look at its colour and what it signifies and the whole simplicity of it too… I feel very honoured that it’s my hand and Kaye’s – a day that all Australians will remember. 

“It’s art and beauty and very powerful symbolism that we see. It will provoke storytelling that will inspire generations and be told again and again.” 

The window is especially significant for Kaye and Doug Baird. For Kaye, the window represents the significance of maternal bonds and the Victoria Cross. For Doug, it’s a reminder to continue his son’s story. 

“The two hands in the window, to me, symbolise two mothers,” Kaye says. 

“When Dame Quentin handed over the Victoria Cross to us, that was a real special moment and that was her hand on top of my hand, explaining what it all meant. She was acknowledging the feelings between two mothers.” 

“Cameron gave his life for his country, for his unit, for his fellow soldier. The Victoria Cross is one of those awards that opens doors, and we try and use it the best way we can in the most positive way we can. That is to continue the story, continue the legacy. We try to do that as we think Cameron would want us to: with honesty and integrity,” Doug adds. 

“Cameron always said it’s better to give than it is to receive. His motto going through life was to be the best person you possibly can, with whatever you’ve got. That’s what we try to do in life. It’s an absolute honour to be able to do that.” 

Let the Light Shine will launch publicly on 14 May 2024. To organise a free viewing through your local RSL Sub Branch, email Lynne Dore: pldore@iprimus.com.au.