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.”
ENDS