2017 official commemorations list – registrations called

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today announced that 2017 would feature a number of significant military commemorations to recognise the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have fought to defend our country.

“Registration to attend overseas commemorations is now open and passes are provided at no cost,” Mr Tehan said.

“Details on how to register are available on DVA’s website at www.dva.gov.au.

“Passes are not required to attend domestic commemorations.”

In Australia, commemorations will be held for 75^th anniversaries of Second World War events, the Fall of Singapore, the Battle of the Coral Sea, Bomber Command operations, the Battle of Milne Bay, the Battle of El Alamein and the culmination of the North Africa campaigns, and Kokoda and the Beachheads.

A commemoration will also be held to recognise the 70^th anniversary of the contribution made by Australian peacekeepers and peacemakers around the world.

Overseas, Australia will commemorate the 100^th anniversaries of the Battle of Bullecourt in France, the Battle of Polygon Wood in Belgium and the Battle of Beersheba in Israel from the First World War.

Mr Tehan said the Australian government would support Anzac Day Dawn Services in France, Turkey, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Borneo in 2017.

“On 25 April, the commemoration of the Centenary of the Battle of Bullecourt will be recognised in a service at the ‘Digger Memorial’ in the Australian Memorial Park in Bullecourt.

“More than 1100 Australians were taken prisoner during the Battle of Bullecourt — the largest number captured in a single engagement during the First World War.

“A commemoration to mark the Centenary of the Battle of Polygon Wood will be held at Buttes New British Cemetery in Zonnebeke, Belgium on 26 September 2017.

“Polygon Wood was one of five battles in which Australians were involved as part of the larger British and dominion offensive known as the Third Battle of Passchendaele.

“In eight weeks of fighting there were 38,000 Australian casualties.”

On 31 October 2017, in Israel, a commemoration will recognise the 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba, and the famous charge of the 4^th Light Horse Brigade.

“At sunset on 31 October 1917, the light horsemen charged the Turkish lines using their bayonets as swords. The momentum of the surprise attack carried them through the Turkish defences and more than 1000 prisoners were taken,” Mr Tehan said.

“In 2017 Australia will also mark its other days of national commemoration including Battle for Australia Day, Merchant Navy Day and Remembrance Day.

“As a nation we continue to honour the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in defence of our nation.

“It is incredibly moving to stand on a foreign field where Australians have fought and died for our values and reflect on the enormous debt we owe to the men and women who serve in our military.

“Many Australians will be planning overseas trips this year to attend a commemoration service and pay their respects and I encourage them to register early.”

Key domestic and international commemorations for 2017