Rededication

In 1984, following a proposal by the Trustees, the Anzac Memorial Act was amended to enable the Memorial to be rededicated as a memorial to all Australians who serve their country in war. On the 30th November, 1984 the year of the Memorial’s fiftieth anniversary, the Governor of New South Wales, His Excellency Sir James Anthony Rowland, K.B.E., D.F.C., A.F.C., K.St.J. rededicated the Anzac Memorial and unveiled a plaque. This occasion also marked the opening of an on-going photographic exhibition — ”Australians at War” — in the former offices within southern podium of the building.

The Exhibition

The exhibition gives a general background of the twelve conflicts in which Australian servicemen and women have partici¬pated between 1885 and 2002. Part of the exhibition charts the history of the building as well as the artistic and architectural details of the ANZAC Memorial.

1885	The Sudan contingent was the first organised military force to leave Australia for service overseas.
1899 – 1902	Over 16,000 Australians fought in the Boer War. They won acclaim for their scouting and reconnaissance.
1900 – 1901	During the “Boxer” Rebellion, Britain accepted an offer by the Governments of Victoria, NSW and South Australia to provide naval contingents which departed in August 1900 and returned in March 1901.
1914 – 1918	In the First World War, Australian servicemen fought in all theatres of war in support of Britain and her Allies.
1939 – 1945	In World War II Australia again contributed to the victory of her allies with a contribution of fighting personnel on a scale far in excess of what may have reasonably been expected of her.
1950 – 1953	Australia gave active support to the British, American and other United Nations forces throughout the Korean War.
1948 – 1960	During the Malayan Emergency, Australian forces, representative of all three services were involved in the campaign.
1963 – 1966	Again, all three services played their part during Indonesia’s confrontation with Malaysia.
1965 – 1972	Over 50,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War, of whom 424 were killed and 2369 were wounded.
1991	The Gulf War. All three services played a role in the defeat of Saddam Husseins’ forces occupying Kuwait, and the support of UN embargo on Iraq.
2000	Current, East Timor. Australian forces led a multi-national coalition to secure peace in the newly independent country struggling to stop pro-Indonesian militia disrupting the peace process.
2002	Afghanistan. Following the September Attacks on the US by Al-Qaeda operatives, local anti-Taliban militia with assistance from international forces overthrew the Taliban regime, and commenced the hunt for Osama bin Laden and his supporters. Heavily involved in this action is the Australian SASR (Special Air Service Regiment) who continue a mopping up campaign to destroy remaining Al-Qaeda elements.