New Air Force Centenary Memorial dedicated

The Royal Australian Air Force dedicated a new memorial at Point Cook today that will forever honour the 350,000 Australians who have served in the RAAF in its first century, including 11,191 Australians who died serving their nation.

FILE PHOTO: The Air Force Centenary Memorial at RAAF Base Williams, Point Cook. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld said the memorial was a special place to pause and reflect on what Royal Australian Air Force personnel had contributed to Australia since 1921, in times of conflict and in peace.

“This memorial stands at the birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force, as a tribute to the generations of Australians who have proudly worn the Air Force uniform.

“For more than 100 years, Royal Australian Air Force people have displayed courage, resilience, strength and humanity and given so much to protect the freedom we cherish today,” Air Marshal Hupfeld said.

“This sandstone memorial has been designed to be inclusive so every RAAF member, our veterans and their families, can connect with it.

“The memorial includes officer and enlisted-rank insignia, and is representative of all employment groups within the Royal Australian Air Force throughout the ages.

“RAAF is proud to have a diverse workforce representative of the Australian community and this memorial symbolises every one of them” Air Marshal Hupfeld said.

On special occasions, a spotlight will point upwards from the memorial, looking forever skyward, honouring the 3143 Air Force members who have no known grave.

The dedication of the new memorial marked the formal conclusion of the Royal Australian Air Force Centenary program.

To view the memorial dedication ceremony, visit the Royal Australian Air Force official YouTube channel from Thursday 31 March 2022.

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