National tribute to honour the unseen service of veteran families
A message from the Recognising Families Committee
A new sculpture planned for the Australian War Memorial will be the first public tribute acknowledging the unseen service of the families of Australian service personnel and veterans. To bring this sculpture to fruition, the Recognising Families Committee is calling on the community to play a vital role in turning the concept into reality – and provide the families of Defence members and veterans with the recognition they deserve.
The Recognising Families Sculpture will honour the more than one million families who have stood behind the Australians who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions, including the more than 103,000 who died as a result of service.
To be created by artist Nina Sanadze, the sculpture will represent the strength and quiet endurance of families of Defence members and veterans. The piece will portray a young mother and child, symbolising humanity, care, resilience and the emotional weight carried in the absence of a loved one.
Matt Anderson, Director of the Australian War Memorial, said that the sculpture pays tribute to all families who wait, hope, love and support our Defence force personnel. ‘This sculpture will add a physical presence to remind us of the contribution families make to the defence of our freedoms and values,’ he said. ‘We are honoured to place it in a prominent location to encourage our visitors to consider the many faces of service and sacrifice.’
The sculpture will incorporate a table, with an empty seat, inviting visitors to pause and reflect on the sacrifice and unrecognised service of Defence personnel and veteran families.
Laura McMahon, family representative on the committee, said:
'We lived in the space between departure and return, focusing on how to make family life feel normal at home but also for those away. This sculpture means more than any words could ever convey. It’s a quiet thanks that we never asked for, but one I know that holds so much significance for all the veteran families that came before me, and all the veteran families still to come.'
To bring this historic tribute to life, the Recognising Families Committee is seeking public support to raise $500,000 to commission, create and install the artwork as part of the Australian War Memorial’s national collection.
The committee’s founder and RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM, added: ‘Our families wear no uniform, they have no medals, there is no recognition or real understanding of the role they play – we should do something about that.’
For more information, or to donate, visit https://www.recognisingfamilies.org.au/.