The tragic and costly World War I attack on the village of Passchendaele in Belgium by Australian and New Zealand battalions is remembered in a new exhibition Passchendaele: the Australian and New Zealand Experience, to open at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne tomorrow. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Bruce Billson and New Zealand High Commissioner Dr John Larkindale launched the exhibition this morning-the 90th anniversary of the attack.

"The attack on the village of Passchendaele itself was part of the 'Third Battle of Ypres', popularly known as 'Passchendaele', which began in July 1917 and finished when the Canadians captured the village in November," Mr Billson said. "This 1917 Flanders offensive resulted in 32,600 Australian casualties, including more than 12,000 who lost their lives. In fact 1917 was the worst year in Australians' experience of war. In 12 months, 20,000 Australians died and a further 50,000 were wounded, maimed or taken prisoner."

"This exhibition focuses on the shared history of Australia and New Zealand, in particular the plight of the Third and Fourth Australian Divisions and the New Zealand Division as they attacked Passchendaele ridge and village on 12 October. This disastrous attack was uphill in a sea of mud with ineffective artillery support against well placed defenders, as can be seen in some of the photos on display."

The attack on the village on 12 October was one of the earliest engagements on the Western Front where the Anzacs fought alongside one another, the first being the successful attack on Broodseinde on 4 October 1917. "Our two countries have fought together and worked together in the more than 90 years since the Anzac heritage was born on the shores of Gallipoli, and I hope this continues for many years to come as we commemorate our shared history of service and sacrifice."

"The Australian Government is proud to work with the New Zealand Government in commemorating the service and sacrifice of the Anzacs. Passchendaele, like Gallipoli and many other battles during World War I, is one which we remember together, as highlighted by this exhibition," Mr Billson said. "Ninety years on we remember the achievements of the Anzacs on the Western Front with great pride, and keep forever in our minds their great sacrifice."