Australia Day Honours

Dr Brendan Nelson, Director of the Australian War Memorial. Source: AWM.

Australian War Memorial Media Release, Australia Day honour for Dr Brendan Nelson, 27 January 2015

This Australia Day the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson, will join a select group of Australians being appointed an Officer of the prestigious Order of Australia, recognising those who have made outstanding contributions to the benefit of their communities.

In 2015 Australia commemorated the Centenary of Anzac, 100 years since Australian and New Zealand troops first landed on the shores of the Gallipoli peninsula as part of the First World War. As Director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson has been at the centre of the planning and delivery of this significant national event.

The former Minister for Defence, Brendan assumed the role of Director of the Australian War Memorial in 2012, and since then has helped the nation look beyond the statistics to focus on the people who fought and died for their country.

Mr Kerry Stokes AC, Chairman of the Council of the Australian War Memorial, said he could not think of anyone more deserving of such an honour.

“Dr Nelson’s outstanding contributions to the Australian community are evident in his work at the Australian War Memorial, from overseeing the Memorial’s upgraded First World War Galleries, to introducing our moving and popular Last Post Ceremony, which has become a national institution in its own right,” Mr Stokes said.

Acting Director of the Australian War Memorial, Rhonda Adler said that the staff and senior management at the Australian War Memorial had congratulated Dr Nelson on his achievements this Australia Day.

“We are thrilled with the news of Dr Nelson’s Order of Australia. He has breathed fresh life into the Memorial, encouraging Australians to reconnect with our national history during the centenary period.

“Dr Nelson’s tireless efforts to encourage Australians to remember, interpret, and understand their story have made the Memorial the heart of commemoration in our nation.”