How should Australia mark the ANZAC centenary in 2015?

Ms Kylie Russell, Clinical Coordinator for The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Fremantle School of Nursing, will join former Prime Ministers the Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser PC, AC, CH and the Honourable Bob Hawke AC, and the National President of the RSL, Rear Admiral Ken Doolan AO (Retd) on a National Commission on the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, Alan Griffin said that the role of the National Commission is to listen to the Australian community about how we as a nation should honour and remember 100 years of service. “All Australians – every school, community and ex-service organisation – are asked to think about how we, as a nation, should commemorate the Anzac Centenary and put ideas and suggestions forward to the National Commission,” Mr Griffin said. “The Anzac Centenary provides an opportunity to remember those who have fought and served in all the wars of the last hundred years, and those who stayed behind,” he said. Ms Russell said she was honoured to be included in the Centenary of ANZAC commission. “It has been a wonderful honour for me and my family to be included and I would like to encourage all Australians to put pen to paper and write a submission as to how they believe we should as a nation remember and honour the sacrifices and celebrate the freedoms that we enjoy today,” she said. “The members of our defence force have played such a significant role in the shaping of our nation that we enjoy today, it is a humbling honour to be involved in how we as a nation reflect on this past 100 years. Not only do we remember those who have fallen, but those who returned home and the sacrifice of those families left behind to sit and wait. “This centenary is not only about ANZAC Day but about all those who have served our nation in this last 100 years, and about how we can recognise the contributions that all these Australians have made.” Addressing the first meeting of the National Commission in Sydney Mr Griffin welcomed Ms Russell along with editorial cartoonist and journalist Warren Brown, former ADF serving member and peacekeeper Major Matina Jewell (Retd). He said, “The Commission – these six Australians – have a vital role to play in seeking Australia’s ideas on how to mark this historic milestone and will report to government on the way forward by early next year. “Although there are no living links to the First World War – the legacy has continued through to the men and women who have served in the Australian forces since. During the Anzac Centenary we will honour this legacy,” he said. For more information about how to make a submission visit:www.anzaccentenary.gov.au. Submissions close on 17 September 2010. Media contact: Michelle Ebbs 08 9433 0610, 0408 959 13