Submission to the Australian War Memorial

I would like to see an area devoted to Women who have served, from the Boer War to present day and this should include civilians who assisted the ADF on deployments such as civilian medical and nursing staff in the Vietnam War, massage therapists in WW1, voluntary Aid Detachment, Red Cross etc. Not just nurses and medical staff, women in all areas. Perhaps it could highlight the way women have suffered too and the history of being ignored on return such as the RSL. It is important that the history should be told however hard that may be. They have served too and in a much bigger way than in the medical field. Although the nurses that received the Military Medal in WW1 under extreme condition and bravery could be better portrayed. You may already have this in mind, however, given the opportunity I just wanted to have a say.

Perhaps a separate section elsewhere could be given to partners and families and the effect of deployments have on their lives, both male and female. It is not just women being mothers and wives as men are fathers and husbands too and they should be represented.