The Naval Association

The Naval Association

of Australia

VA054 Wednesday 1 June 2005

COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS AT AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, De-Anne Kelly, today announced the appointment of a prominent war artist to the Council of the Australian War Memorial.

She is Sydney-based artist Wendy Sharpe.

Mrs Kelly said she was pleased to appoint Ms Sharpe to the Council. Ms Sharpe is a former Archibald Prize winner who has a high profile in the arts community. The Australian War Memorial appointed her to cover the nation's military commitment to East Timor in 1999.

"I am confident that she will make an excellent contribution to the Council," Mrs Kelly said.

Mrs Kelly also announced the renewed appointments of two Council members.

Council Chairman, Major General Adrian Clunies-Ross AO, MBE (Ret'd) and Rear Admiral I. McL. Crawford AO, AM (Mil) (Ret'd) have been appointed for a further one-year term.

Mrs Kelly said that Major General Clunies-Ross had given excellent service to the Australian War Memorial as a Council member since 1996 and Chairman since 2000, Rear Admiral Crawford has been very active in veterans' affairs as well as a prominent member of the Council since 1998.

"The appointments would be of great importance during the Memorial's current rebuilding and development program which will see outstanding Korean, Vietnam and Peacekeeping galleries opened by October, 2007," Mrs Kelly said.