National service memorial dedication
Wednesday, 8 September
Access
To accommodate the march there will be road closures in place from 9.15 am to approximately 11.00 am. The roads that will be closed include ANZAC Parade (from Blamey Crescent/Currong Street up to the Memorial) and the Treloar Crescent junctions (Limestone and Fairbairn Avenues to ANZAC Parade).
Parking
The 2 carparks along Treloar Crescent will be available for parking. These car parks are sign posted P2 and P3. However, with the number of visitors expected to attend events on this day it is recommended that alternative arrangements be made if possible such as using public transport.
Refreshments
The Terrace Café will be open from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
This new memorial recognises the sacrifice and service of those who served as National Servicemen from 1951 to 1972.
The day's events will commence with a March Past, from ANZAC Parade to the Memorial from 10 am. The Salute will be taken by Lieutenant General Mark Evans AO DSC, representing the Chief of the Defence Force and General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Ret'd), Chairman of the Council of the Australian War Memorial. All National Servicemen are invited to march and families and friends are encouraged to come to support and cheer them on. Assembly point for the march will be on ANZAC Parade from 9.15 am. Best viewing for the march will be the grassy slopes overlooking the Memorial's Parade Ground.
The dedication ceremony will be held at the National Service memorial at 11.30 am and will be attended by Their Excellencies Ms Quentin Bryce AC, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, and many other dignitaries. The memorial is located directly next to the main Memorial Building.
The Memorial anticipates that there will be a flyover of Defence Assets.
This is an important occasion for the Memorial and there could be 3,500 visitors on the day. Seating is limited but interested people are encouraged to attend and find a place to watch. Increased visitation is expected throughout the week leading up to and following these events.
To further enhance your experience why not visit the galleries after the ceremony. The Second World War galleries have recently undergone refurbishment. The Memorial's latest temporary exhibition Perspectives: Jon Cattapan & eX de Medici looks at Australian Peacekeeping operations in the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste from the contemporary artist's perspective.
A range of merchandise to commemorate the dedication of the new National Service memorial is available within the Memorial Shop. Items include a memorial plaque, medallion, tie, cap, mug and the newly released commemorative coin and stamp. All are available to purchase in the shop and online.
For more information on the National Service Memorial see www.nashoaustralia.org.au/memorial.htm
The Royal Australian Mint has released a new 50 cent coin commemorating National Servicemen.
More about National Service
- The National Service Scheme, 1964-72 by Sue Langford, includes the birthdates drawn in National Service ballots 1965-72
- National Service Scheme
- National Service Scheme, Vietnam
- Service records at the National Archives of Australia
- National Archives of Australia Fact sheet 163 – National Service, 1951–59
- National Archives of Australia Fact sheet 164 – National service, 1965–72
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