News

Media coverage regarding a motif for the Anzac Centenary

The Anzac Centenary is about respectfully honouring all men and women of the Australian Defence Force – past and present – while creating a lasting legacy for all Australians.

The Anzac Centenary is a program of national significance and at the first meeting of the Anzac Centenary Advisory Board on 14 October 2011, the Board resolved that a motif for the Anzac Centenary should be developed for consideration by Government.

The development of a motif was also proposed by the National Commission on the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary, which included former Prime Ministers the Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser, PC, AC, CH and the Honourable Bob Hawke, AC. In its report to Government the Commission recommended “…an instantly recognisable motif…that conveys an overall theme should be attached to the centenary program.”

Any motif representing the commemorative period needs to have wide resonance, be readily understood by a broad cross section of the community and appropriately reflect the significance of the Centenary.

Consultation was held in both regional parts of the country along with capital cities, and consisted of the public, current serving personnel and veterans.

See the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac’s media release: http://minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases/2012/jan/va001.htm

$1.3 Million announced for Anzac Interpretive Centre

On 26 November 2011, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac, Warren Snowdon, announced $1.3 million initial funding towards the design and development of the Anzac Interpretive Centre in Albany, Western Australia.

The Interpretive Centre will house innovative, interactive technology and will overlook King George Sound where the convoys carrying the Anzacs to the First World War gathered and departed in October-December 1914.

Earlier this year the Minister announced $250,000 towards a scoping study which is examining a range of options for the development of the Centre. This initial funding ensures that when the scoping study is complete, detailed design and foundation work for the Centre can begin without delay.

See the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac’s media release for more information:
http://minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases/2011/nov/va106.htm

New Anzac Centenary Advisory Board announced

On 12 October 2011, the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac, Warren Snowdon, announced the membership of the Anzac Centenary Advisory Board.

The Government appointed 16 eminent Australians, along with four ex-officio members, to join Chair, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, AC, AFC (Ret’d) on the Board.

Angus Houston to lead new Anzac Centenary Advisory Board

On 6 July 2011, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minster on the Centenary of Anzac, Warren Snowdon, announced the appointment of Air Chief Marshal Houston, AC, AFC, (Ret’d) as the Chair of the new Anzac Centenary Advisory Board. He will be joined on the Board by specialists in education, business, local government and Australian history and culture.

See the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac's media release for more information:
http://minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases/2011/jul/va049.htm

Anzac Centenary Advisory Board to be established

On 28 March 2011, the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac, Warren Snowdon, welcomed the report by the National Commission on the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary. The Prime Minister also announced the formation of a new Anzac Centenary Advisory Board to progress the work of the Commission and provide strategic advice on the planning and implementation of Anzac Centenary events and initiatives.

See the Prime Minister and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac’s media release for more information:
http://minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases/2011/mar/joint005.pdf (PDF version 91 KB)
http://minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases/2011/mar/joint005.rtf (RTF version 42 KB)

The Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary -
Report to Government

On 28 March 2011, the National Commission on the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary presented its report to the Federal Government, at Parliament House in Canberra. The Commission was established by the Federal Government to look at options to mark the Centenary of the First World War 2014 – 2018, in particular, Anzac Day 2015.

The Commission considered more than 600 submissions containing more than 1,500 suggestions from Australia and overseas.

The report includes recommendations covering the broad scope and shape of commemorative, educative and interpretive initiatives and activities for the commemoration program, as well as an outline of the governance process to support the program’s implementation.

The Commission members were former Prime Ministers the Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser PC AC CH, and the Hon Bob Hawke AC, RSL National President, Rear Admiral Ken Doolan AO (Ret'd), former Peacekeeper Major Matina Jewell (Ret'd), veteran advocate, Kylie Russell, and cartoonist and journalist Warren Brown.

The National Commission on the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary Report can be found at:
PDF version of the report (4MB) | Word version of the report (499KB)