Australia

Media Release

The Hon Dan Tehan MP

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC
Minister for Defence Materiel
 

 

29 March 2016
 

 

Commemorative Posters Depict Life on the Western Front
 

Two posters depicting the different experiences of Australians on the Western Front in 1916 have been released in the lead-up to Anzac Day to commemorate the thousands of lives lost in battles on the Western Front.

Dan Tehan, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, said posters are produced and distributed every year to support the observance of Anzac Day.

"As part of the Anzac Centenary activities for 2016, these posters focus on the Western Front and the varying experiences of Australian soldiers who were involved in battles 100 years ago," Minister Tehan said.

The first image depicts members of the 53rd Battalion preparing to take part in the Battle of Fromelles, the first major battle fought by Australian troops on the Western Front, while the second image depicts men of the 1st Division recovering at Vignacourt, behind the lines.

"The posters call on the audience to imagine what it was like for those in the photographs to spend their time shifting between the danger of the battlefront and the relative safety of the towns behind the lines, where soldiers had opportunities to recover," Minister Tehan said.

Both posters will be distributed to Australian schools, libraries, ex-service organisations, aged care facilities, hospitals, local councils, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade overseas missions.

The posters are supported by an online Wartime Snapshot, providing background information and learning activities for schools and members of the public to freely download.

The Anzac Centenary 2014 to 2018 is the most significant period of commemoration in our nation’s history. It is a time to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of all those who have served over the past 100 years, and those who continue to serve in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

High resolution versions of both posters and the Wartime Snapshot can be accessed from the Anzac Portal at www.anzacportal.dva.gov.au.
 

 

Media enquiries:

Minister Tehan’s Office: 0477 395 356

Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203
 

 

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) can be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for crisis support and free and confidential counselling. Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 8 8241 45 46). VVCS is a service founded by Vietnam veterans.


 
 

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