Veterans of recent conflicts to get a dedicated war memorial in NSW

They served in some of our most recent conflicts, now veterans of Middle East wars will get a dedicated memorial in NSW.

Diggers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan will be honoured with a new memorial dedicated to Australia’s involvement in the Middle Eastern conflicts.

Consultation will begin within weeks on a new memorial, with meetings between the NSW government, veterans, RSL representatives, and other support providers to officially start the process of recognising our modern veterans.

The move makes good on a call from Premier Chris Minns last Anzac Day, when the Labor Leader urged the then-government to establish a “significant” memorial to honour those who served in recent conflicts.

In addition to a dedicated physical memorial, the new state government will also investigate what other support or programs the NSW Government needs to invest in to better support veterans in their return from service.

Mr Minns said that the time has come for a dedicated place of reflection to commemorate servicemen and women who fought for Australia in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Minns government will build a dedicated memorial to commemorate Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

“Across Australia memorials have been erected dedicated to remembering the Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen who have served our country,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“My government will work hard to understand the challenges that Australian veterans from these recent conflicts face.”

Premier Chris Minns called for a memorial dedicated to the recent conflicts last year as Opposition Leader. Picture: Monique Harmer

“We want to make sure their views are heard, their service and sacrifice are recognised and their needs are supported,” he said. 

“We are fulfilling one of our early election commitments with this first step, but most importantly we are putting veterans’ views first.”

The NSW Office of Veterans Affairs will lead the consultation with appropriate co-ordination with RSL NSW and the Federal Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

According to The Australian War Memorial’s Roll of Honour, 46 Australian service personnel died in the Afghanistan conflict between October 2001 and October 2021.

There is currently no memorial dedicated to recent Middle Eastern conflicts in NSW. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

While Australian troops left Afghanistan in July, ADF personnel then evacuated Australians and Afghans who had assisted our forces following the fall of Kabul in August of that year.

Four Australian service personnel died in the Iraq conflict between 2003 and December 2013, according to the Australian War Memorial’s Roll of Honour.

Retired Army Major Stuart McCarthy, an Afghanistan and Iraq war veteran said “obviously there has been a lot of controversies in recent years involving the Afghan and Iraq war veteran community, and some of them feel despondent and marginalised. Any recognition like this, especially coming from a state government is a really positive thing. “It’s important the government asks the veteran community for feedback on what this memorial would look like.”

Veterans Affairs Minister David Harris said the consultation process was the “first step” in marking the service and sacrifices of Diggers in recent Middle East conflicts.

“Everything is on the table when comes to discussing how we can support and recognise our Middle East veterans.”

“Throughout this consultation we want to hear what is working, what else needs to be done, and know of any gaps in support or programs,” he said.

“Our government needs to hear more from this community to understand what their needs are.”

LOOK TO THE FUTURE AS WELL AS THE LEGENDS

Veterans will gather together today to reflect on the “legends that carved out what Anzac is” and look to the next generation of cadets in service.

RAAF veteran and Kirribilli RSL President John Kirton said young Australians are joining their local RSL, showing an interest in service, connecting with one another and being involved in Anzac Day.

“It is really exciting to see how many young veterans we have joining our sub branch and it sounds like right across RSL New South Wales we are getting the younger veterans from Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.

“You get approached by a lot of civilians that are keen on the military or interested in flying and then just trying to explainto them that you’re proud of the missions that you flew, you’re proud of your deployments and it’s not all doom and gloom.There’s highs and lows and there’s really exciting parts about deployment.”

Air Force Veteran John Kirton with Cadet Under Officer Liberti Lorefice from 305 City of Northern Beaches Squadron at Blackwattle Bay. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Kirton said Anzac Day for him is an opportunity to reconnect with fellow veterans he deployed with in operations such asthe 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, Timor and the Solomon Islands and tours of Iraq and Afghanistan in his 17 years with the RAAF.

“There are certain mates you only see on Anzac Day ... it’s a great time to reflect on the legends that carved out what Anzacis, the hardships they had to endure and the courage, bravery, endurance and mateship they displayed.”

Australian Air Force Cadet Liberti Lorefice, 17, said today means “showing respect not only to those who served previously,but also in current wars.”

Originally published as Veterans of recent conflicts to get a dedicated war memorial in NSW