The Australian War Memorial has formed the initial three advisory groups to provide relevant guidance on gallery content as part of the Memorial’s expansion.
Memorial Director Matt Anderson said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group, Access Advisory Group, and Veterans’ Advisory Group will all make valuable contributions.
“The expansion will give us the much needed space to tell the stories of more than 100,000 Australians who have served in war, conflict, peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster relief operations in recent years,” Mr Anderson said.
“The Development Project will expand significantly current exhibition space and improve visitor experiences. Through our ongoing program of engagement and consultation, advisory groups will help the Memorial ensure that the stories we tell in the new galleries are relevant, and that the spaces themselves are accessible and inclusive for all members of the public, our veterans and those still serving.”
Veteran and Mental Health Ambassador Kevin Humphreys said he was looking forward to the opportunity to work with the Memorial.
“I am honoured to be part of the Veteran Advisory Group and am looking forward to contributing to this very exciting national project,” Mr Humphreys said.
Two additional advisory groups, representing Diversity and Youth, are being finalised and will be announced later in the year.
The Advisory Group program is part of the Memorial’s commitment to community engagement and will help the Memorial continue to strengthen and grow partnerships throughout Australia.
The first meeting of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group has already taken place and the Access Advisory Group and Veterans’ Advisory Group will be meeting for the first time in the coming weeks.
Veterans Advisory Group
The Veterans Advisory Group will advise the Memorial in exhibition content development, particularly regarding how to reflect the diverse experiences of veterans and their families.
Veterans Advisory Group participants
| Members | Representation/Organisation |
| Major Brett C Grosser (Retd) | Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Federation of Australia |
| Ms Victoria Dixon | Defence Families of Australia |
| Mrs Queen Dunbar | Australian War Widows NSW |
| Mr Troy Watson | Mates 4 Mates |
| Mr Kristopher Milne | Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans' Association |
| Mr Kevin Humphreys | Mental Health Ambassador |
| Professor Tracey Smart, AO | Military and Aerospace Medicine (College of Health and Medicine), Australian National University |
| Mr David Manolas | Naval Association of Australia |
| Brigadier Phil Winter (Retd) | Returned Services League of Australia |
| Sergeant Peter Rudland (Retd) | Invictus Games athlete |
| Mr Thomas Foster | Young Veterans |
| Mrs Cathy Arcus | Department of Defence, Defence Member and Family Support |
| Lieutenant Colonel Richard Moor (Retd) | The Australian Special Air Service Association |
| Commodore Michele H Miller AM, RAN | Defence Security and Vetting Services Division, Department of Defence |
| Mr John Hardgrave | National Program Director, Soldier On |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group will provide advice relating to the representation and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group participants
| Member | Language group |
| Squadron Leader Gary Oakley | Gundengurra |
| Wing Commander Cheryl Neal | Yuin |
| Ms Lorraine Hatton, OAM | Quandamooka/Ngughi/Noonuccal |
| Professor Jackie Huggins, AM | Bidjara/Birri-Gubba Juru |
| Ms Marianne Atkinson | Gunai/Kurnai |
| Mr Frank Lampard, OAM | Ngarrindjeri |
| Ms Shirley Mooney, OAM | Wongi |
| Lieutenant Commander Bertram Slape, OAM | Larrakia |
| Mr Ezra Anu | Saibai Island |
| Ms Brenda Hodge | Mouheneener/Palawa |
Access Advisory Group
The Access Advisory Group will ensure visitor needs are reflected in new galleries and displays, advising the Memorial on ensuring that facilities and programs recognise diversity and are universally accessible.
Access Advisory Group participants
| Member | Representation/Organisation |
| Mr Glenn Vermeulen | ACT Deaf Resource Centre |
| Ms Casey Heffernan | Inclusion Advocate |
| Mr Matthew Oastler | Autism Friendly Australia and Autism Spectrum Australia |
| Miss Emma Gallagher | Autism Spectrum Australia |
| Mr Ben Harris | Inclusion Advocate |
| Ms Jennifer Moon | Guide Dogs Australia |
| Ms Natalee Thomas | Access Consultant |
| Mx Al Azmi | National Ethnic Disability Alliance and Accessible Arts NSW |
