CONTRIBUTION OF DEFENCE FAMILIES RECOGNISED AT WAR MEMORIAL

The importance, strength, self-reliance and courage of the families of Australian Defence Force members has now been officially recognised at the Australian War Memorial, with the unveiling of a plaque and a garden seat.  

Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, joined Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, Vice Chief of the Defence Force, the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Mr Steve Gower, and members of Defence Families of Australia in a ceremony at the War Memorial today.

“In war and in peace, the men and women of our Australian Defence Force have been supported by their families.  The work they do would not be possible without the love and understanding that families give. 

“Today provides a long overdue opportunity to recognise the families’ contribution,” Mr Snowdon said. 

“There are many challenges that go with being in the Australian Defence force family.

“Our families face frequent relocations, they have to deal with a family member being away from home on training or deployment for weeks or even months at a time – all these factors add up to an increased level of pressure. 

“We are committed to easing these pressures as much as we can, but the first step is to recognise the contributions of our families,” said Mr Snowdon.

The plaque accompanies a bench seat in the War Memorial’s Sculpture Garden.

“By establishing this seat here in the sculpture garden we seek to remind the visitors to this place that every person who serves in the Australian Defence Force carries with them the love, the hopes and the fears of a family,” Mr Snowdon said.

“We thank these families for their service to our country.”

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Minister Snowdon):             02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Defence Media Liaison:                            02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664