18 December 2015
New Office of Australian War Graves Director
Appointed
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister
Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC,
Stuart Robert, today announced Mr Ken Corke would take
up the role of Director, Office of Australian War Graves
on 18 January 2016.
Mr Robert congratulated Mr Corke on the appointment
and said his long and varied career in the public and
private sectors, as well as in the military, would prove
invaluable in his new role.
“Mr Corke served in the Royal Australian Armoured
Corps for 23 years, reaching the rank of Colonel before
transferring to the Army Reserve in 1999,” Mr Robert
said.
“In the eight years following, he held a range of
consulting and management roles in an information
technology and management consulting firm, and gained
considerable experience in managing complex ICT and
construction projects.
“Most recently, Mr Corke worked in the
Attorney-General’s portfolio, where he was the Project
Director for the construction of the Ben Chifley
Building in Canberra, for which he was awarded an
Australia Day Medallion in 2015.
“Mr Corke has a wealth of experience, including in
public sector procurement. He holds a Bachelor Degree in
Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business
Administration. I look forward to working with him.”
Mr Robert thanked the outgoing Director, Brigadier
Chris Appleton CSC (Ret’d), for his work over the past
five years.
“Brigadier Appleton has done an outstanding job
during his tenure with the Office of Australian War
Graves, especially during the lead up to, and beginning
of, the Anzac Centenary commemorative period,” Mr Robert
said.
“His achievements include delivering upgrades at a
significant number of Commonwealth War Graves Commission
sites, leading the development of the business case for
the Sir John Monash Centre and playing a major role in
initiating Operation Reunite, the repatriation of
Australian war dead from Malaysia and Singapore.”
Mr Robert also praised the outgoing Director for his
role in overseeing the development of the Australian
Remembrance Trail in France and Belgium, delivering
the Honouring Our War Dead Program, and introducing the
Graves of the Bravest Program, which provides for the
perpetual maintenance of the graves of Victoria Cross,
George Cross and Cross of Valour recipients.
“On behalf of the Australian Government and the
ex-service community, I sincerely thank Brigadier
Appleton and wish him all the best for his future.”
Media enquiries:
Richard Briedis (Minister Robert) 0477 391 174
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203
