Calls for nominations - forthcoming veterans' commemorative missions
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs conducts commemorative missions for significant anniversaries in Australia’s military history. These missions typically involve a return to significant battlefields and locations, and involve commemorative services, functions and events.
Forthcoming approved missions are outlined below.
Interested veterans of the campaigns where mission parties are proceeding are invited and encouraged to submit nominations to participate on these missions.
Selection criteria, including relevant service history and medical criteria will apply. The Department recognises that veterans of the Second World War in particular are an aged cohort and are likely to have existing medical conditions. These should not discourage veterans from submitting nominations, but nominees should be aware that some conditions may preclude participation in the mission party.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has managed commemorative missions to former battlefields since the 1990s and has a well-established and tested methodology to ensure the health and well-being of veterans is managed.
Veteran participants are representatives of all veterans of a battle or campaign. Priority for membership in mission parties is to ensure places for veterans and to enable veterans to participate in commemorative activities with other veterans with similar experiences. Partners and descendants are unable to be part of the mission party.
To apply veterans should take the letter of introduction to their doctor and obtain a medical assessment on the form provided. Veterans should also submit a completed nomination form. Details for how to submit the forms are provided in the links below.
Enquiries relating to the commemorative missions can be directed to the Department’s Commemorations Branch via the General Enquiries line on 133 254 or 1800 555 254.
Proposed Commemorative Mission to the Republic of Korea (ROK)
Veterans of the Korean War are invited to apply for a commemorative mission which (subject to the security situation) is proposed to occur in July 2013.
Nomination forms for the mission to the ROK:
Nominations close 20 May 2013.
Commemorative mission to Hellfire Pass, Thailand, April 2013
Veterans of the Second World War who were Prisoners of War of the Japanese and in particular those who worked on the Burma-Thailand Railway will travel to Thailand to attend commemorative services on Anzac Day 2013.
Nominations closed 15 March 2013.
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Commemorative mission to the United Kingdom, May 2013
Veterans who served in the Battle of the Atlantic between 1939-1945, in either the RAAF, RAN, RANVR and the Merchant Navy and met the requirements to receive the Atlantic Star will travel to the United Kingdom for a commemorative mission in May 2013.
Nominations closed 1 March 2013.
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Recent Commemorative Missions
Commemorative mission to Timor-Leste, August 2012
Veterans of the 1942-43 campaign in Timor travelled to Timor-Leste for a commemorative mission in August 2012.
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Commemorative mission to Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, August 2012
Veterans of the 1942 Battle of Milne Bay travelled to Papua New Guinea for a commemorative mission in August 2012.
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Commemorative mission to El Alamein, Egypt, October 2012
Veterans of the Second World War North African campaign (1940-1943) travelled to Egypt for a commemorative mission in October 2012.
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Commemorative mission to Kokoda, Papua New Guinea October/November 2012
Veterans of the Second World War Kokoda and Beachheads campaigns (1942-43) travelled to Papua New Guinea for a commemorative mission in November 2012.
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