Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front

In the 2009-10 Federal Budget, $10 million was committed to the establishment of an Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front. This initiative has seen the Office of Australian War Graves begin working with local communities and regional authorities to establish improved visitor facilities at former Australian First World War battlefields in Ypres, Ploegsteert and Zonnebeke in Belgium, and at Fromelles, Bullecourt, Pozières, Mont St Quentin and Villers-Bretonneux in France.

This approach recognises the significant efforts of many locals over decades and will ensure the Australian funds are spent carefully and in the best locations to appropriately commemorate and honour the service of our First World War heroes.

At most locations there will be an overview of the Australian involvement on the Western Front. Additional site specific material will provide an insight to Australian operations in the area and in the context of wider allied operations. Accordingly, each site will work as a stand-alone experience as well as a part of a series.

The objective of the Australian Remembrance Trail is to improve visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the achievements and sacrifices of Australians in the main theatre of conflict during the First World War, and place this experience in the context of the struggle between the Allies and the Central Powers.

This initiative is complementary to the Government’s decision to hold an annual Anzac Day dawn service at Villers-Bretonneux, and the continued interest that ceremony will generate in the Western Front.

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