- Author
- Letter Writer
- Subjects
- History - general, Biographies and personal histories
- Tags
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- March 2000 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
The 1999-2000 Federal Budget provided $5 million for the production of a TV documentary series, Australians at War, which will cover the major conflicts in which Australia has participated, and explore how these experiences have helped shape the nation.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), in cooperation with the Australian War Memorial, is responsible for the making of the series, while a Sydney-based television production house, Beyond Productions Pty Ltd, has been selected to undertake the production work. Beyond Productions will develop a website to promote the program and educational materials to make the series relevant to students.
The project is part of the Federal Government’s plans to mark the Centenary of Federation, and the first episode is expected to be broadcast on the ABC around Anzac Day 2001.
A nationwide search for wartime memorabilia is presently being run as an adjunct to the research for the Australians at War TV series. The search aims to unearth new material for possible use in the documentary series or in some of the ancillary products.
With your links with the local community you may be aware of items that could be of interest to the series’ researchers. No-one is being asked to give up memorabilia: rather, to make its existence known and have it available for copying or photography should the production team wish to use it.
The Great Search information form can be sent to any who might be interested in making their memorabilia items available to the series. Phone the inquiry line if you need forms. Alternatively, the form is available at the website – australiansatwar.gov.au.
Robert Pounds, Director
Australians at War Documentary Project
Commonwealth Department of Veterans’ Affairs National Office