Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key came together to open a $10.6 million centre dedicated to telling the stories of some of hundreds of Anzacs who set sail for World War I from the West Australian port of Albany.
The official opening of the centre was part of a long weekend of events being held in Albany to mark a centenary since the first convoy left Australian shores for war. The launch was held 100 years to the day since the first convoy left Albany.
Mr Abbott had a chance to tour through the centre briefly.
"I wonder at the heroism and I tremble at their suffering," he said.
Mr Key said the centre was a reminder of the importance of ensuring the Anzac story lived on.
The National Anzac Centre, the only one of its kind, presents the stories of 32 people, 23 Australians, six New Zealanders, one Brit, a German and a Turk through multimedia.
Stephen Anstey from the WA Museum, who was involved in the creation of the centre, described it as a significant attraction in terms of Australia's history.
"The centre overlooks King George Sound, where the first and second convoys carrying those men and women left from," he said. "The stories of the men and women who left from here are told throughout the centre chronologically, we learn of their experience through their voices so it is not a curator telling the story, it is the men and women who actually sailed from these shores who tell you the story in their own words."
"It is not a story that is overtly nationalistic, it is not an anti-war story, it is not a pro-war story, it is their story, told in their words."
Primary records such as diaries, letters and service records were used as the basis for the stories told.
Governor General Peter Cosgrove also attended the opening on Saturday.
