Interview a veteran
Veterans have direct experience of war and service with the defence forces that most students and many adults today can only imagine. By talking to veterans and listening to their unique stories, we can come closer to understanding what war really means and see the human side of history.
Remember that Australia has been involved in a range of wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions over the last century and veterans alive today range from those who served in the world wars to those with recent peacekeeping service. There are also people who may not have served overseas themselves but have valuable war-related experiences to share; people such as those who were active on the home front, or perhaps lived in an Australian town that was threatened by war or simply had an interesting childhood during war.
See the Australians At War Film Archive
- Contacting a veteran
- Tips for a successful interview
- Sample questions
- Follow up essay
See also: Valuing our Veterans, a guide for schools and community groups.