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Photo: Villers-Bretonneux CWGC Cemetery [Ray Hudson]<\/span><\/p>\n The Federal Government of Australia recently released information on its proposed plans for the commemoration of the sacrifice and achievements of Australians on the Western Front. The following media release was issued by the Minister for Veteran’s Affair, Alan Griffin, on 21 January 2008.<\/span><\/p>\n GOVT COMMITTED TO COMMEMORATING WESTERN FRONT SACRIFICE The Australian media reported the media release: *****<\/p>\n The Families and Friends of the First AIF<\/strong><\/em> thanks the Australian, UK and French governments for affording Australian and British soldiers – presently buried in mass graves at Pheasant Wood – dignified individual reburials in a new CWGC cemetery at Fromelles, and applauds Minister Snowdon and his British counterpart, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans, Kevan Jones MP, for their joint decision to DNA test the remains at exhumation and use every reasonable method to attempt identification of each soldier.<\/span><\/p>\n *****<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0FFFAIF<\/em><\/strong> supports the inscription of “FROMELLES”<\/strong> on National and State Memorials<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Photo: Villers-Bretonneux CWGC Cemetery [Ray Hudson] The Federal Government of Australia recently released information on its proposed plans for the commemoration of the sacrifice and achievements of Australians on the Western Front. The following media release was issued by the … Continue reading
\nThe Australian Government is committed to finding the best way to commemorate and highlight the service and sacrifice of Australians on the Western Front, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, said today.
\n“The story of the Australians on the Western Front is not as well-known as it should be, but I am pleased to see this is changing,” Mr Griffin said.
\n“Last year the Prime Minister announced that the one-off Anzac Day Dawn Service at Villers-Bretonneux would become an annual event.
\n“I am also currently investigating options to raise awareness of the sacrifice and achievements of Australians on the Western Front.
\n“The previous Government announced plans to build an Interpretive Centre outside Villers?Bretonneux at an estimated cost of $35 million.\u00a0 While they funded initial work on this project, they failed to provide funding for the Centre itself.
\n“I have concerns about the cost and scale of that proposal, particularly when it is compared to the more modest centres established by other countries in the area.
\n“My focus is on telling the story of Australians across the Western Front, not the construction of a costly building in a single location.
\n“I am assessing all our options to ensure we most appropriately honour the courage and sacrifice of those Australians who served on the Western Front.
\n“I want to ensure we spend our money wisely and effectively.
\n“I expect to be able to announce further details later this year,” Mr Griffin said.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Channel 9 News: WWI digger memorial will go ahead: govt. <\/em>Click here<\/a>.
\nThe Herald Sun: Memorial to go ahead, Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin says. <\/em>Click here<\/a>.
\nThe Canberra Times: Plans for $35m war memorial ditched<\/em>. Click here<\/a>.
\nABC News: Govt ditches plans for $35m WWI memorial<\/em>. Click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n