MEDIA RELEASE
12 September
2018
HONOURING WOMEN’S
CONTRIBUTION TO OUR DEFENCE
COMMUNITY,
business, political and Defence leaders have
come together to honour women whose lives and
families have been affected by their service
with the Australian Defence Force at a Wreath
Laying Ceremony and National Dinner Event in
Canberra.
Minister for
Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester paid tribute to
current and
ex-serving women, as well as the mothers, wives,
sisters, children and widows of serving
personnel.
“Women have
played and continue to play an invaluable role
in Australia’s rich military history, serving in
various roles for more than a century,”
Mr Chester said.
“The work you
do paves the way for more to follow in your path
and is inspiring a new generation of women to
continue your strong legacy.
“It’s
especially important to commemorate those women
who gave their lives in service of our country.
Today we pay tribute to Norma Violet Mowbray,
who served with the Australian Army Nursing
Service and died of pneumonia in Egypt in 1916,
aged 32.
“I also
acknowledge the sacrifices that families make
behind the scenes and recognise that the home
front is just as important as the front line. I
am in awe of the generous support the War
Widows’ Guild and its many volunteers provide
families throughout Australia.”
The Department
of Veterans’ Affairs has been a key supporter of
the events and was an enthusiastic member of the
organising committee led by the War Widows’
Guild.
“We are
committed to putting veterans and their families
first and together we can reach a better
understanding of the needs of women who have
been affected by Defence service.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Whil Prendergast: 02 6277 7820
DVA Media: 02 6289 6466
Office of the Hon. Darren Chester MP,
Canberra.
Veterans and
Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) can
be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for
support and free and confidential counselling.
Phone 1800 011 046 (international:
+61 8 8241 4546). VVCS is a
service founded by Vietnam veterans.
