National Commemorative Service

Introduction

In 2024, to mark the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Timor-Leste, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will be holding a National Commemorative Service at the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial in Canberra on 20 September 2024 from 9:30am. 

The majority of Australian service in Timor-Leste spanned between 1999 and 2013 and encompassed Australian Defence Force and Australian Federal Police personnel, as well as civilians. A number of Australians continued to serve after 2013, with ongoing efforts still in effect to this day. This anniversary provides the opportunity to honour and remember the service of all Australian men and women who served in Timor-Leste, and the sacrifice of their families. Tragically, six Australians lost their lives whilst deployed, or as a result of their service, in Timor-Leste.

Order of Service

Download the Order of Service.

What to expect

The service will be broadcast nationally by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and streamed online. The ABC will also make the broadcast available to other networks to provide all members of the community the opportunity to acknowledge the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Timor-Leste in a solemn and dignified manner from their home.

DVA develops a range of commemorative and educational materials to further help recognise and remember those who served in Timor-Leste. To learn more about Australia's involvement in Timor-Leste, and access these materials, visit our Anzac Portal. 

Planning your attendance

Attendance Registration

DVA strongly encourage all attendees planning to attend the service on 20 September 2024 to register their intent to attend. Although a formal ticket or attendance pass will not be required to enter the service, the registration process ensures that adequate arrangements can be put in place by DVA.

Overview of the commemorative site

The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial is located on Anzac Parade, Canberra, south of the Australian War Memorial between Blamey St and Constitution Ave. A commemorative site will be established located on Anzac Parade. There will be a number of road closures and restricted areas in place on the day, so please follow the direction of staff to access the entry points.

Attendees are encouraged to plan their journey and arrival times carefully. We encourage you to arrive early to ensure you have sufficient time to progress through the entry point and obtain the best possible seat. Attendees who arrive early will also have the opportunity to view the pre-service program, which commences at 9:30am.

For your comfort, complimentary tea, coffee and water will be available onsite.

Site Map
 

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Seating

Approximately 700 seats are available for this service. Limited accessible seating will be available for attendees at the service who have health or accessibility requirements. If accessible seating is required, please ensure that when registering your intent to attend, you nominate and describe your accessibility requirements. Those requesting accessible seating are able to have one carer or companion, and/or their approved assistance dog, with them to provide support.

Attendees with an accessibility requirement are to make themselves known to DVA staff on arrival if you require assistance to be seated. A limited number of wheelchairs will be available.

Toilets

Temporary toilets, including some accessibility toilets, and hand-washing facilities will be installed specifically for the service. It is important to remember that there are only limited toilet facilities, with no infant changing or parenting facilities at the site.

What to take

Prior to arriving at the commemoration, you should have everything you need, including any medications, warm and wet weather clothing and appropriate footwear. 

Media

There will be media present at the service. Attendees should be aware that camera operators move around the site, and that cables may be laid along the ground. 

Please take care. The service will be broadcast live across Australia by the ABC.

In order to preserve the solemnity of the commemoration, and as this service will be broadcast live, roaming by the general public to take photos during the service is not permitted. Accredited media will also be restricted to a media zone area.

Transport arrangements

Getting to the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial

There is no dedicated parking at the site and there will also be road closures in place on the day surrounding Anzac Parade and Anzac Park East between Constitution Avenue and Currong Street/Blamey Crescent. Access to these roads will be by authorised vehicles only with the appropriate accreditation on display. You are therefore encouraged to use public transport where possible, further details below:

Private vehicles and accessibility parking

Travel by private vehicle is not recommended. There is very limited on-street parking available in the vicinity of Anzac Parade.

Limited parking is available on Anzac Park East for attendees who arrive at the service by private vehicle and require accessibility assistance. Attendees who wish to park here must display their appropriate government issued Disability Parking Permit for access. Traffic controllers will direct you where to park on arrival. 

Taxi services will only have authorised access to enter Anzac Park East, where attendees with accessibility requirements can be dropped off and picked up post-service opposite Pentland St, entrance via Constitution Ave.

Limited assistance will be available for attendees at the service who have health or accessibility requirements. Those requesting accessible seating are able to have one carer or companion with them to provide assistance. The site is accessible to wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walkers. Access to seating and the marquees from the road onto the median strip is fixed with a number of accessible ramps at the entry points.

Attendees with an accessibility requirement will need to alert staff on arrival to the service.

ACT public transport

Attendees may catch any regular bus routes to and from the commemorative service. Please note, this method of travel is to be arranged by attendees at their own expense.

Attendees will need to walk from the bus stops which are located in close vicinity to the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial.

Taxi service

Attendees may arrive at the service by a taxi service. Please note, this method of travel is to be arranged by attendees at their own expense.

Taxi services will not have authorised access to enter the road closures, except for Anzac Park East, where attendees with accessibility requirements can be dropped off opposite Page St, entrance via Constitution Ave.

Pedestrians and Cyclists

Attendees may walk, ride or scoot to the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial from nearby suburbs along designated pedestrian paths. We ask that attendees please follow the directions of staff.

Racks will be located onsite nearby the entry point. Please ensure you bring your own chain and lock, as bicycles and scooters must be left at the entry point.

Key Timings

Friday 20 September 2024

• 8:30 am – Entry to the site opens
• 9:30 am – Pre-service program commences
• 10:00 am – Official service commences
• 11:00 am – Official service concludes.

Wreath Laying

Wreath laying by invited official representatives will occur during the service. Prior to the conclusion of the service, veteran associations and members of the public who wish to lay a wreath will be invited to do so. Individual members of the public are to supply their own wreaths, and it is their responsibility to carry it with them, care for it and transport it to the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial. There are no facilities or arrangements for storage or transport of personal wreaths at the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial.

Post-Service Information

At the conclusion of the service, attendees will be asked to remain seated while the Official Party departs and the post-service procedures are put in place. We ask that attendees remain patient and follow the directions of government staff.

Contact information

Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Phone: 1800 838 372 within Australia
Tel: +61 2 6289 1133 from outside Australia
Email: Commemorative.Events [at] dva.gov.au