Outcome 3–Commemorations

The achievements and sacrifice of those men and women who served Australia and its allies in war, defence and peacekeeping services are acknowledged and commemorated.

Description

Through the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the service and sacrifice of Australians since Federation in wars, conflicts and peace operations are acknowledged and commemorated. The Department works to ensure that Australia's wartime heritage is preserved and the community better appreciates the significance of wartime experiences to our development as a nation.

This outcome is delivered through two outputs:

3.1 Provide funding and support for commemorative initiatives and grants in recognition of Australia's veterans, and promote community awareness about their service.

3.2 Maintain war cemeteries, memorials and post-war commemorations in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Process claims for post-war commemorations.

Outcome summary—2002–03 in review

The Government's Commemorations program, Saluting Their Service, was launched in August 2002. Activities during 2002–03 included commemorative missions to Papua New Guinea and Egypt for the 60th anniversaries of key World War II battles, commencement of a major project to record wartime experiences in a film archive, the development of education resources and innovative web sites, extension of recognition of service and continuation of the discretionary grants program for community initiatives.

During 2002–03, the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG) commenced construction of the Australian War Memorial in London. Two new memorials were constructed in Papua New Guinea at Isurava and Milne Bay and the memorial at Popondetta was upgraded. Facilities for the annual Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Anzac Commemorative Site, Gallipoli, were upgraded and OAWG continued to officially commemorate eligible deceased veterans and maintain their memorials.

2002–03 Business Priorities as outlined in the DVA Corporate Plan

Refocusing commemorative programs post-Centenary of Federation

While the previous commemorations program, Their Service—Our Heritage, focused on the commemoration of the service and sacrifice of Australian service men and women in wars and conflicts since Federation, Saluting Their Service, launched in August 2002, aims to build on the achievements of the previous program and create greater community appreciation of the contribution of Australia's service men and women of recent decades, building on the traditions established by veterans of past wars and conflicts through enhancement of existing initiatives and new projects.

Commemorating significant wartime anniversaries

The 60th anniversaries of a number of key World War II events occurred during 2002–03. The Battles of the Kokoda Track, Milne Bay and the Beachheads in Papua New Guinea were marked by the dedication of memorials constructed by OAWG. Commemorative missions of veterans and war widows were organised by the Department to coincide with the dedications. The Department also organised a commemorative visit to Egypt to mark the 60th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein. A visit was arranged in December 2002 for seven of the 10 remaining veterans of HMAS Armidale to attend the opening of the Australian War Memorial exhibition 'A Cruel Sea: The Sinking of HMAS Armidale', featuring a series of drawings by Jan Senberg.

Targeting educational initiatives for young people

The Department provided education resource materials to primary and secondary schools in the lead-up to Remembrance Day 2002 and Anzac Day 2003. The Anzac Day Schools Activities Awards, development of education-oriented web sites and sponsorship of research-based competitions for students and educators' conferences continued.

Preserving our wartime heritage

Support was provided to community and ex-service organisations and local government authorities through the discretionary grants program, to refurbish and upgrade local war memorials and to preserve and display wartime memorabilia. Closer links were established with the community museums sector to support preservation and display of local wartime heritage.

Capturing the lessons, experiences and memories of wartime generations

The Australians at War Film Archive project, a major initiative to record veterans' experiences in wars, conflicts and peace operations, commenced. Funding and support was provided for an Australian Women in War component of the new Australian Women's Archives web site. The DVA Australians at War and Gallipoli web sites were enhanced with additional material on the lessons and experiences of war.

Publishing the World War II Nominal Roll

The Minister launched the Nominal Roll of World War II veterans on 6 November 2002. The Nominal Roll database lists some one million men and women who served in Australia's armed services and merchant navy in World War II.

Constructing the Australian War Memorial in London

Construction on the memorial at Hyde Park Corner, London, has commenced and will be completed by Remembrance Day 2003.

Upgrading and constructing Papua New Guinea memorials for the 60th anniversary of the defence of Australia

New memorials were dedicated at Isurava and Milne Bay. A trekkers hut was constructed at Isurava. Memorials at Popondetta, Rabaul and Cape Wom were upgraded. Several sandstone memorials were repaired, including the Rabaul (Bita Paka) Memorial to the Missing and the Stone of Remembrance at Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery.

Upgrading services and facilities at Gallipoli on Anzac Day

In 2003, additional fencing was installed for security purposes and special purpose seating provided for the elderly and infirm. A hot food outlet was in operation and medical and toilet facilities were expanded. Security was upgraded with an increased Jandarma (police) presence and random searches conducted before entry to the site.

Officially commemorating eligible deceased veterans and maintaining their memorials

OAWG continues to officially commemorate deceased eligible veterans who have died post-war as a result of their war service. These memorials are maintained in perpetuity through annual maintenance programs.

Social justice and equity issues

The Saluting Their Service program aims to honour the service and sacrifice of Australian service men and women in wars, conflicts and peace operations since Federation. It supports projects and activities at the national, state, territory, regional and community levels.

The Department of Veterans' Affairs commemorates all eligible veterans equally and uniformly and no distinction is made based on rank, race or creed. Memorials, war cemeteries and other assets are maintained to a common standard in keeping with principles adopted by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission since World War I.

Nominal Roll web site

The World War II Nominal Roll web site, implemented in November 2002, has received a high "AA" accessibility rating. The rating means the web site is designed to make it accessible to visually impaired users and those with other disabilities.

Commemorative mission to Papua New Guinea

In November 2002, two war widows were included in the official party with 18 veterans who served in the Milne Bay and Beachheads campaigns of World War II. This group accompanied the Minister for Veterans' Affairs on a commemorative mission to Papua New Guinea. The group attended the dedication of memorials at Milne Bay and Popondetta.

Australian Women's Archives Project

During 2002–03, funding was granted to the National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) to design and develop the Australian Women in War element of the Australian Women's Archives Project web site. DVA also convened a working group of representatives of ex-servicewomen's and war widows' associations.

 

Table 43: outcome 3 resources summary

	Budget 2002–03 $'000	Additional Estimates 2002–03 $'000	Actual Expenses 2002–03 $'000	Variation $000	Budget 2003–04 $'000
Administered Expenses (including third party outputs) Total Administered Expenses	21 454	25 219	21 176	-4 043	23 216
Price of departmental outputs Output 3.1—(Provide funding and support for commemorative activities and grants in recognition of Australia's veterans, and promote community awareness about their service.)	4 556	4 561	4 403	-158	4 735
Output 3.2—(Maintain war cemeteries, memorials and post-war commemorations in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Process claims for post war commemorations.)	3 751	3 756	4 488	732	4 188
Attribution of Output Group 6	442	397	396	-1	183
Total Price of Outputs	8 749	8 714	9 287	573	9 106
Revenue from Government (Appropriation) for departmental outputs	8 633	8 628	8 537	-91	9 060
Revenue from other sources	116	86	750	664	46
Total price of outputs	8 749	8 714	9 287	573	9 106
TOTAL FOR OUTCOME 3	30 203	33 933	30 463	-3 470	32 322

(Total Price of Outputs and Administered Expenses)

	Budget 2002–03	Additional Estimates 2002–03	Actual 2002–03	Variation	Budget 2003–04
Average staffing level	126	119	113	-6	114

 

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