The following formal submission have been made public
Submitter: Marion GarrattNew Southern Entrance
Proposed changes to the entrance to the AWM will alter the character of the Memorial building and the relationship between visitors and the Memorial.
The purpose of the Memorial is as a place to reflect, remember and pay tribute, in humility, to those who died, fought, participated in, or were affected by conflict.
The new design removes the emphasis, serves as a distraction, from a place of remembrance, where tribute is paid to the sacrifices made in defense of the values of the nation.
The destruction of stands of mature Eucalyptus trees demonstrates a profound disrespect for the value of Australia’s unique natural environment, the beauty of the land, that touched the hearts of those who, in the suffering and misery of war, sacrificed so much.
The purpose of the Memorial is as a place to reflect, remember and pay tribute, in humility, to those who died, fought, participated in, or were affected by conflict.
The new design removes the emphasis, serves as a distraction, from a place of remembrance, where tribute is paid to the sacrifices made in defense of the values of the nation.
The destruction of stands of mature Eucalyptus trees demonstrates a profound disrespect for the value of Australia’s unique natural environment, the beauty of the land, that touched the hearts of those who, in the suffering and misery of war, sacrificed so much.
Anzac Hall and Glazed Link
Disproportionate in size and prominence to the Memorial’s functions of commemoration and research the display of large objects of military hardware, in a vast space, risks transforming the AWM into a showcase for weapons manufacturers.
It begs the question, whose interests are served by sponsorship from weapons manufacturers?
As noted by the Medical Association for the Prevention of War
https://www.mapw.org.au/campaigns/war-memorial/
“Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Thales are amongst the largest multinational weapons companies on earth.
They provide cash and in-kind sponsorship of the Australian War Memorial.
Until March 2021, the AWM also accepted sponsorship from BAE Systems.
These companies reap enormous profits from war. For them, ongoing warfare leads to greater business success.
They have no place in a memorial to our war dead.”
The AWM stands on a central axis in Australia’s capital city, in alignment with Australia’s Parliament House. That it should showcase the technology of war in a massive display questions the values of our democracy and the degree to which we respect the sacrifices of our service men and women and the victims of conflict.
The AWM should not become an armaments display Museum but retain humility and integrity of commemorative purpose. Many in our multicultural society do not wish to be distressed by a display of weaponry when seeking to pay tribute and to heal at a cenotaph.
Alternative facilities should be used for the display of large objects of military equipment, for those who are interested, as recommended by former director of AWM, Brendon Kelson.
It begs the question, whose interests are served by sponsorship from weapons manufacturers?
As noted by the Medical Association for the Prevention of War
https://www.mapw.org.au/campaigns/war-memorial/
“Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Thales are amongst the largest multinational weapons companies on earth.
They provide cash and in-kind sponsorship of the Australian War Memorial.
Until March 2021, the AWM also accepted sponsorship from BAE Systems.
These companies reap enormous profits from war. For them, ongoing warfare leads to greater business success.
They have no place in a memorial to our war dead.”
The AWM stands on a central axis in Australia’s capital city, in alignment with Australia’s Parliament House. That it should showcase the technology of war in a massive display questions the values of our democracy and the degree to which we respect the sacrifices of our service men and women and the victims of conflict.
The AWM should not become an armaments display Museum but retain humility and integrity of commemorative purpose. Many in our multicultural society do not wish to be distressed by a display of weaponry when seeking to pay tribute and to heal at a cenotaph.
Alternative facilities should be used for the display of large objects of military equipment, for those who are interested, as recommended by former director of AWM, Brendon Kelson.