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Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel
Minister for Indigenous Health
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac.
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ANGUS HOUSTON TO LEAD NEW ANZAC CENTENARY BOARD
The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac, Warren Snowdon, today announced Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, AC, AFC (Ret’d), had been appointed as the Chair of the new Anzac Centenary Advisory Board.
“Following a distinguished six year tenure as Chief of the Defence Force, ACM Houston has accepted the position to lead the planning and development of the Anzac Centenary commemorations taking place from 2014 to 2018.
“ACM Houston’s reputation is unparallel among the Defence Force community, government and throughout Australia.
“He has had an outstanding career in the Australian Defence Force from joining the Royal Australian Air Force as a cadet pilot in 1970 to serving as Chief of the Defence Force from July 2005 until July 2011.
“In 2008, he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia, having previously been appointed a Member in 1990. In 1980 he was awarded the Air Force Cross,” Mr Snowdon said.
Mr Snowdon said the Chair of the new Anzac Centenary Advisory Board has a vital role in leading the planning stages of the commemorations.
“As Chair, ACM Houston will work with the Board to progress the work of the National Commission on the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary, which handed its recommendations to Government earlier this year,” he said.
The Australian Government is establishing the Board to provide high level strategic advice to the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac regarding the planning and implementation of Anzac Centenary events and initiatives.
The Board will engage with community and business sectors to develop a program of commemorative activities in the years leading into the commemorative period and throughout the Anzac Centenary program from 2014 to 2018.
“Joining ACM Houston on the Board will be specialists in education, business, local government and Australian history and culture. I look forward to announcing the membership of the Board in the near future,” Mr Snowdon said.
ACM Houston said the main priority for the Board will be to listen to the Australian people – from the ideas already shared with the former National Commission, to consulting with a range of community and business sectors.
“The Board has an important task ahead and I am pleased to be able to be involved to help ensure the Anzac Centenary is marked in a way that captures the spirit and reverence it so deserves,” ACM Houston said.
ACM Houston will officially take up his new position in August. The appointment will see through the planning and development of the Centenary commemorations until 2018.
A short biography on the Chair is available at www.dva.gov.au/media
Media inquiries:
Minister Snowdon: Alice Plate 0400 045 999
Department of Veterans' Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203