As Australians commemorate Victory in the Pacific Day tomorrow and remember those who served and died in World War II, the Australian Government announced plans for two new national memorials in the nation’s capital. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, said that 62 years ago tomorrow, Australians at home and those serving abroad welcomed the news of Victory in the Pacific and the end of World War II.

“Some one million Australians served during World War II,” Mr Billson said. “On VP Day 2007, I am pleased to announce a $200,000 grant for two new national memorials commemorating the service and sacrifice of World War I and World War II servicemen and women. The committee set up to establish the memorial has undertaken detailed planning and is committed to bringing the project to completion.”

Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd, said that preliminary planning was underway for the memorials to be located at Rond Terraces. “The National Capital Authority, which has extensive experience in creating memorials in the national capital, is organising an international design competition for the World War I and II Memorials,” Mr Lloyd said.

“The Canberra National Memorials Committee has approved two sites for the memorials on either side of Rond Terraces which is between the Parkes Way roundabout at the end of Anzac Parade and Lake Burley Griffin. The memorials are to appear as an extension of the existing memorial band formed by eucalyptus trees on either side of Anzac Parade which will ensure they do not impede appreciation of the land axis which forms part of the Parliament House vista,” Mr Lloyd said.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson said that more than 100,000 Australians gave their lives in the two world wars. “While their service and sacrifice are commemorated in community memorials throughout Australia, a national memorial to each of these conflicts will be a welcome addition,” Mr Billson said. “The $200,000 grant under the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorations program will fund the design competition and assist the Memorials Development Committee to raise the necessary funds to build the memorials,” Mr Billson said.