Become involved—call for public submissions
- Who can make a submission
- How to make a submission
- What to include in your submission
- Important information about making a submission
The National Commission is seeking ideas and suggestions from all Australians about how to commemorate the Anzac Centenary.
As a nation, how can we:
- honour and commemorate 100 years of service and sacrifice by the men and women who have served Australia and its allies in war, defence and peace keeping?
- explore the legacy of the First World War for Australians and what this means for the future?
Who can make a submission
All Australians are encouraged to make a submission—you don’t need to have served in the defence force or share family links to First World War service.
The Commission is hoping to hear from everyday Australians, regardless of age or heritage who have a great idea about how we can commemorate the Anzac Centenary.
Individuals
It is preferable that you supply your name, postal address, email address and a daytime contact telephone number in your submission. Anonymous submissions will be accepted, but are not encouraged, as it may be necessary to contact you to discuss the content of your submission.
Organisations
It is essential for submissions from public and private organisations to identify a contact person within the organisation. The contact person's full name, position within the organisation and their email and daytime contact telephone number should be included as part of the submission.
How to make a submission
Submissions must be made in writing. A submission form (PDF 126 Kb) is available for download, or via email from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs if you wish to use it. All submissions, whether you have used the form or not, should include a detailed outline of the idea and themes it addresses, as well as a brief summary of the idea. If you need more space in your submission form, you can also include some additional pages (PDF 60 Kb).
Can people submit supporting documentation?
While you can include additional supporting information such as photos or other evidence, this is not required for the National Commission to consider your submission.
People are encouraged to submit photos and other evidence that may support their submission. Small file attachments should be provided in Microsoft Word, Excel or a PDF file format.
Image files should be supplied in TIF or JPEG format. Persons submitting are asked not to send large files with their submission. Maximum size per attachment is 1 MB. Please limit images to three per submission.
Submissions can be lodged by:
Email:
anzaccentenary@dva.gov.au Please include the word ‘submission’ in the subject line.
Post:
The National Commission – Anzac Centenary
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
PO Box 9998
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Submission will close on Friday 17 September 2010.
All submissions lodged with the National Commission will receive an acknowledgment of receipt.
Details of all submissions will be available to the public via the internet after Saturday 25 September 2010.
When will those who have submitted know what has happened with/to submissions?
The National Commission will report to Government in early 2011.
The Government will then consider options regarding the broad scope and governance of the Anzac Centenary program.
What to include in your submission
Each submission, large or small, should consider ways in which the Australian community can be engaged to mark the Anzac Centenary.
This could be through commemorative, educative and interpretive initiatives and activities.
Submissions may include ideas, principles and/or recommendations for an individual commemorative project or broader commemorative program. Submissions might discuss both national events and local community activities. They could include proposals for websites, films and books, as well as, functions, parades and ceremonies.
Submissions are sought on the following six themes:
- Century of service
- Community engagement
- Infrastructure and capital works
- Education, public awareness and community access
- Commemorative services
- International relations and cooperation.
Century of service
We remember the Anzacs who served at Gallipoli and elsewhere in WWI because of their courage, fortitude and mateship and their role in building the spirit of the nation. We also remember the dedication of the Australian men and women who have served in war, defence and peacekeeping over the last 100 years. The Century of Service theme encourages projects and/or activities that acknowledge the experience of service men and women and that commemorate their lasting legacy. For example, projects may include digitising diaries of those who served during WWI, making their stories available for all Australians; or researching and producing material (books, website, DVDs etc) on the role of servicemen and women who have service in more recent conflicts.
Community engagement
Since the landing of the first Anzacs on the shores of Gallipoli, Australia has been involved in numerous conflicts, with military service having a significant influence on Australian society and shaping the national identity. The Community Engagement theme encourages projects and/or activities that acknowledge and inform your community about Australia’s military legacy and that engage or benefit your community now and in the future. For example, projects may include researching how a local veteran has contributed to and shaped the community in which you live; or forming an exchange relationship with another community in another state or country that acknowledges and shares how the local experience of war or peacekeeping may have contributed to the culture of each community; or projects which provide every day reminders for the community, such as funding for a local sports ground in the name of a local war hero.
Infrastructure and capital works
A number of memorials, dedications, art works and education facilities exists across the world, to not only commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australian servicemen and women, but to educate visitors on the experience of those who have served. The Infrastructure and Capital Works theme encourages ideas for the development of infrastructure and capital works programs that benefit the Australian people now and into the future. For example, projects may include, the development or refurbishment of memorials of local, state or national significance; or the development of interpretive material to accompany an existing memorial.
Education, public awareness and community access
The Anzac Centenary provides the opportunity to learn not only what the historical facts of involvement in war, defence and peacekeeping, but raise awareness of the sacrifices of war in order to ensure a better future for the nation. The Education, Public Awareness and Community Access theme encourages ideas for the development of programs, projects and/or activities that build on those that currently exists or creates new opportunities for Australians of all ages to examine, interpret and better understand the Australian experience of war. For example, ideas may include websites which give all Australians access to military records, such as those currently available on WWI service personnel; or the development of educational facilities, such as a web-based national military history library with resources available to all Australians.
Commemorative services
Over the past century more than a million Australians have served in war and peacekeeping operations, with over 100,000 paying the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. The Commemorative Services theme encourages the development of services or activities that engage the community to commemorate particular historical events, such as a key battle or conflict. For example, ideas may include suggestions on how the 100th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli on Anzac Day in 2015 should be marked in Turkey and in Australia, and what form services should take to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI.
International relations and cooperation
Apart from the bombing of Darwin and other locations in northern Australia and submarine attacks in Sydney and around the coast of Australia, both during WWII, all conflicts and peacekeeping operations Australians have been involved in, from the landings at Gallipoli to the current war in Afghanistan, have occurred on foreign soil. The International Relations and Cooperation theme encourages ideas for the development of international relationships, programs and associated activities that support, maintain or further develop the international recognition of the service of Australians. For example, projects may include an international friendship year with a country that has played a significant role in Australia’s military history; or the translation of Australian military histories into various languages to engage the migrant communities within Australia and other nations.
Important information about making a submission
Please ensure you read and understand the following prior to lodging your submission:
- The National Commission reserves the right to treat all submissions as public, unless the author of the submission clearly indicates to the contrary by marking all or part of the submission as ‘confidential’.
- Unless you request otherwise, details of all submissions will be published on the Anzac Centenary website and may be published in part within a printed report or in full in electronic format, at the conclusion of the Commission's investigation.
- If you make a submission, you agree that you grant the National Commission, and any agent working for or on behalf of the National Commission, a permanent, irrevocable, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce and adapt any intellectual property (including supporting material) for any purpose related to the Anzac Centenary.
- Submissions that use inappropriate language or are defamatory will not be accepted or published on the Anzac Centenary website. Submissions may also be edited to remove personal information or unreasonable disclosure of personal information relating to a third party.