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Grateful State Remembers - Media Release

2004 July 10^th
State Government to recognise 60th anniversary of the end of World War II

Girl Guides war effort. Examining some of the garments made for sale at the girl guide shop in Ahern's Arcade. Western Mail 18/10/1944 Image courtesy of West Australian Newspapers, Click to view a larger image

Recognising the role of women will form part of a number of State Government initiatives commemorating next year's 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Premier Geoff Gallop unveiled the plans at the 88th annual congress of the Returned and Services League of Western Australia today.

Dr Gallop said the anniversary of the end of World War II was an event we should all commemorate.

"Most of the survivors of this conflict are now aged 80 or beyond," he said.

"So it will be an ideal opportunity to remember and recognise the enormous contribution that generation has made to Australia."

The initiatives included:

commissioning a commemorative memento from the Perth Mint;
organising commemorative events at seven WA communities bombed during World War II; and
collecting historical essays from people who made a contribution during the war.

These initiatives followed the recent announcement that a statue of Australian wartime leader John Curtin would be built outside the Fremantle Town hall.

The Premier said the Perth Mint memento would be issued - upon application - to all those who made a contribution to the effort of the Second World War.

Amenities for the Services. Social given by Armadale-Kelmscott Soldiers and Sailors Welfare Committee, to a party of men from the district who enlisted to serve in the fighting forces. This function was held in the Armadale Public Hall on 28 February 1941. Image courtesy of West Australian Newspapers, Click to view a larger image

"I am particularly keen to ensure that those women who looked after their returned husbands, brothers or fathers, or who entered the workforce for the first time and who have never received any medals, be acknowledged as part of this program," he said.

"It is also not generally recognised that seven WA communities were bombed during the Second World War.

"For this reason we will facilitate special commemorative events for Broome, Derby, Exmouth, Onslow, Port Hedland, Wyndham and Kalumburu.

"The war hit our shores in quite brutal fashion, with 70 people killed during one air raid on Broome in 1942. It is therefore very appropriate we recognise the impact of these events on the affected communities."

The essay project involves inviting people to submit a story in writing about their personal wartime experiences - either of battle, friendship or a contribution made on the home front.

Dr Gallop said a selection would be posted on the State Government's ANZAC website so that Western Australians could read how our citizens fought, helped or dedicated their services during a tumultuous time.

"I suspect there are many stories of bravery, mateship and community spirit that are just waiting for a voice," he said.

The initiatives announced in Perth today follow this year's $460,000 commitment to restore the State War Memorial in Kings Park, more than $250,000 to restore dozens of memorials and plaques around the State, compulsory ANZAC Day Services in Government schools and the annual ANZAC tour.