RSL says War Memorials Should be For Defence Service Only

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) says the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and existing war memorials and Cenotaphs around the country should remain exclusively to honour Australian Defence Force personnel and peacekeepers who have served in wartime theatres of conflict.

While the RSL supports the establishment of memorials to mark those killed in frontier conflicts, these should be separate from the Australian War Memorial and the Cenotaphs located around Australia.

RSL Australia President Greg Melick said the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and the Cenotaphs honoured all Australian Defence Force personnel, as well as peacekeepers who served our nation in wars and conflicts overseas.

“This includes First Nations’ personnel who served in our armed forces with courage and honour, as well as servicemen and women of all backgrounds.

“The frontier conflicts are an entirely different matter and are a significant part of our history that would be more appropriately told in the National Museum or a specific national memorial.

“While some frontier conflicts have been featured in Australian War Memorial galleries and touring exhibitions, these have been mounted to provide some context to the subsequent service of First Nations’ personnel in the ADF.

“Surely the soon to be established, and publicly funded, Ngurra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct in the heart of Canberra, between Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial, could provide an opportunity for national recognition of the frontier conflicts.

“The Australian War Memorial honours the sacrifice of those who have served our nation in armed conflicts and peacekeeping operations, and it is right and appropriate that this is exclusively maintained,” Greg Melick said.

National Media contact:
Tony Harrison
0417 318 178 
tony@wearebright.com.au