Works commence on the Memorial's Roll of Honour panels

The Australian War Memorial’s Council has approved changes to the criteria for inclusion on the Roll of Honour. The bronze panels are being rearranged to make space for new panels bearing the names of those killed in non-warlike operations. (Please refer to /media/releases/memorial-council-changes-roll-honour-criteria ).

This minor work involves removing mastic (a kind of grout) from between the sandstone blocks behind the panels that were removed. The Memorial is a heritage building, and buildings of this age can contain asbestos in the mastic. This is commonly known as “bonded” asbestos, as it is contained within other material and does not readily become air-borne as dust when it is handled.

An accredited, licensed asbestos removalist company, Empire Contracting, is removing the mastic, and an independent asbestos consultant, Robson Environmental, is undertaking continuous monitoring of the air. The work will be done after hours on Friday 12 July.

The two companies have assured the Memorial that the work will be done in a confined and secure space, which is sealed off during the work and will be cleaned when it is finished. The asbestos mastic will be removed and disposed of in accordance with the national guidelines for the safe removal of these types of material.

Robson Environmental will provide the all-clear before the Commemorative Area is opened for visitors, planned for Saturday morning 13 July.

The Memorial is ensuring that the staff and public are safe at all times, while we undertake this significant work to the Roll of Honour.