Royal Australian Artillery National Memorial - Brochure

THE STORY OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OFAUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY NATIONALMEMORIAL EXTENSION PROJECT The service of Australian gunners is commemorated by the Royal Australian Artillery National Memorial, which stands atop Mt Pleasant in Canberra. The Memorial was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 9 th March 1977. It features panels that recognise service in campaigns from the Sudan to South Vietnam, but it is silent on the contribution of gunners over the past 50 years, and there is no space for additional panels. This shortcoming leaves many younger members of the gunner community feeling they have been forgotten. The Royal Regiment has initiated a project to address this issue. The project will extend the Memorial to provide panels for six contemporary campaigns and operations and allow for the easy addition of further panels in the future. The extension will bridge the gap between historical and contemporary service, telling the story of all Australian gunners, past, present and future, and ensuring that they are honoured and recognised. The project aligns with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide by contributing to the mental well-being and social inclusion of serving soldiers and veterans. The Regiment intends that the updated Memorial will be re-dedicated in 2027 to coincide with the 50th anniversary year of its original unveiling. Funding the extension will be heavily reliant on the generosity of donors and supporters. The project will achieve meaningful and measurable impacts, particularly in: • Fostering a sense of belonging by enhancing the Memorial as a space where all Defence members and veterans, but especially gunners, feel represented, acknowledged, and connected. • Promoting mental well-being by providing a dedicated space for healing and reflection, contributing to improved mental health outcomes for Defence members and veterans. • Enhancing community engagement by strengthening public awareness and understanding of military service, encouraging greater community support and helping to link Defence members and veterans to the community from which they are drawn.