JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH THE MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE PERSONNEL
Schools, community and ex-service organisations in Victoria will this week start to receive a range of resources to help commemorate and honour the service and sacrifice of those who served in the Second World War, 75 years on from the war’s end.
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson encouraged the local community to be actively involved in commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War on 15 August 2020, also known as Victory in the Pacific Day.
“The educational package contains a wide range of resources to help schools, community and ex-service organisations remember the Second World War and the profound impact it had on Australia,” Senator Henderson said.
“I encourage those in Victoria who receive the packs to use these resources, and display the poster in a prominent location to commemorate this historical milestone and all those who served.”
The mail-out contains resources such as posters, Wartime Snapshot No.28, educational resources to support teachers such as Shifting Tides: Australia and the Pacific in the Second World War, History in Focus information cards and the video series Stories of Service: The Second World War.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said these engaging resources will help Australians across the country commemorate the service and sacrifice of Second World War veterans, including around 12,000 veterans still alive today.
“Almost one million Australians served in the Second World War against Germany and Italy in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, against Japan in south-east Asia and the Pacific, as well as on the home front,” Mr Chester said.
“The mail-out includes a range of engaging resources that will help to teach younger generations and help the broader Australian community to commemorate this important historical event, which brought an end to the almost six yearlong campaign.”
For more information, contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Commemorations Officer on 1800 555 254 or by emailing education@dva.gov.au. For more educational resources and information on the Second World War visit the Anzac Portal (anzacportal.dva.gov.au).
20 July 2020