Bob Hawke, Malcolm Fraser find common ground to mark WWI anniversary

BOB Hawke and Malcolm Fraser say they are in "fervent agreement'' on one issue - how the centenary of World War I should be marked in 2015.

BOB Hawke and Malcolm Fraser say they are in "fervent agreement'' on one issue - how the centenary of World War I should be marked in 2015.

The former prime ministers, from both sides of politics, are part of the National Commission on the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary.

The six-member body was established by the Federal Government in March to help decide how the event should be remembered.

The commission is asking Australians to share their ideas by September 17 on how the nation should commemorate 100 years since WWI.

Mr Hawke, a former Labor prime minister, said there was general consensus the centenary shouldn't just be focused on memorials or particular battles.

"We'd like to think about some sort of overarching concept that would capture both in a commemorative sense, but also in an inspirational sense for the future, the enormous sacrifices that have been made by so many Australians," Mr Hawke told reporters after the first meeting of the National Commission in Sydney today.

Asked if Mr Hawke was seeing eye to eye with former Liberal prime minister Mr Fraser, he replied: "We are in fervent agreement".

Mr Fraser also said the commission would like to find a inclusive way of recognising the history of Australians in war.

"(We want to) do it in a way that recognises the contribution and sacrifices of so many people over such a long time," Mr Fraser said.

The six-member body also comprises RSL national president Ken Doolan, cartoonist and journalist Warren Brown, former Australian Defence Force member Major Matina Jewell and veterans advocate and nurse Kylie Russell.

WWI began in 1914 and ended in 1918.