Australian War Memorial director Matthew Anderson: Anzac Day ‘can make us stronger’

Lanai ScarrThe West Australian
Camera IconAustralian War Memorial - Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester, Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander Leigh A Dunnett, and AWM director Matthew Anderson. Credit: Unknown/Supplied

When Matthew Anderson was announced as the new Director of the Australian War Memorial late last year from his then-London base he never imagined he would be presiding over an ANZAC Day celebration the likes of which we will all participate in today.

Mr Anderson the former deputy high commissioner to the UK watched as COVID-19 spread through Europe and into Britain before taking up his new role in Canberra just two weeks ago.

But the successor to Brendan Nelson charged with carrying out Charles Bean’s vision to remember those who sacrificed everything for Australia says today’s ANZAC commemorations at home could be “amongst the most memorable and positive experiences for our veterans and our communities” of all.

“At this time of the year when there is so much change upon us an act of remembrance is a very powerful uniting force,” Mr Anderson told The West Australian in his first interview since taking on his new job.

My wish is as soon as they relax the social distancing measures that we would be able to reopen the War Memorial

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“In a time when we are all experiencing a period of profound change we should hold on tightly to any constants, to those things that make us stronger as a community and stronger individually and I think that ANZAC day is one such event.”

Mr Anderson, a veteran himself who spent six years in the Army, encouraged all Australians to reach out to veterans in their community to check they are OK today. He said there was no reason Australians couldn’t engage in a game of Two-up via Zoom or FaceTime and raise a glass together to ensure the spirit of mateship remained strong on April 25.

“There would be a number of vulnerable veterans who really would have been looking forward to ANZAC day as a chance to gather with their mates and that opportunity is lost to them this year but we should nevertheless touch base with them to make sure they are all OK,” Mr Anderson said.

His comments came as Prime Minister Scott Morrison said anyone complaining about loud commemorations on community driveways at dawn today was a “bum” - invoking similar comments by former PM Bob Hawke after Australia won the America’s Cup in 1983.

Camera IconThe Australian War Memorial, an aerial view in 1945.

“Bob Hawke said anyone who does that or anyone who was given a hard time over something like that by someone, they'd be a bum. So I reckon it's a bit of the same thing here,” Mr Morrison told 6PR.

“I'm sure people will look the other way on that thing. I've probably just earned the ire of every local mayor in Perth or elsewhere. But I reckon you should be up at 6 o’clock and light up the dawn.”

Mr Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese will be present at the nationally televised ANZAC Day Commemorative Service hosted by the Australian War Memorial in Canberra today.

Mr Anderson said he hoped the Australian War Memorial would be one of the first institutions to be reopened once social distancing restrictions were relaxed.

“My wish is as soon as they relax the social distancing measures that we would be able to reopen the War Memorial ... in controlled numbers to allow people to come back in and to pay their respects and to continue to learn about our very, very proud military history.”

And while the War Memorial was closed to in-person public visits, Mr Anderson said there were many things Australians could engage with online including placing a virtual poppy on the wall of remembrance, touring galleries and even getting to sit in the cockpit of the Hudson Bomber.

Mr Anderson said his tenure as War Memorial director would focus on contemporary soldiers and telling their story in greater detail.

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