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Dateline - April 13, 2008
Australian War Memorial Council re-appointments
 
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Alan Griffin, today announced the re-appointment of two members to the Council of the Australian War Memorial. Mr Griffin said the re-appointment of Dr Ross Jan Bastiaan AM RFD and Ms Wendy Sharpe as part-time members of the Council had been approved by His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC (Ret'd). "Dr Bastiaan and Ms Sharpe have made a significant contribution to the Council, bringing with them individual skills and experience, and a depth of knowledge of Australian wartime history," Mr Griffin said.

"Dr Bastiaan is experienced and dedicated in the area of Australian military history. He is well-known for his commemorative sculpture work, having placed more than 150 bronze commemorative plaques on Australian battlefields of the First and Second World Wars since 1990." Mr Griffin said Ms Sharpe was a distinguished Australian artist, who in
1999 was appointed Official Australian War Artist in East Timor.

"Ms Sharpe has an extensive knowledge of Australian war art and will continue to provide a unique perspective for the work of the Council. "I would like to congratulate Dr Bastiaan and Ms Sharpe on their re-appointments, and look forward to their continued work with the Council," Mr Griffin said.

The Australian War Memorial Council comprises the Chief of Army, the Chief of Navy, the Chief of Air Force and 10 other part-time members. As part of the continuing legacy of commemorating Australia's wartime service, the Council is responsible for the policy, conduct and control of the affairs of the Australian War Memorial.


Brief Biographies

Dr Ross Jan Bastiaan
Dr Bastiaan was a member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial from 1995-1998, and again since 2001. He is a specialist periodontist working in private practice and is a sculptor of military commemorative plaques. Dr Bastiaan was a Director of the Australian War Memorial Anzac Foundation from 1996-2003, and in 2006 was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. In 1990, Dr Bastiaan was appointed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs as a guide in the Gallipoli Veterans' Pilgrimage. He has also been a Senior Officer in the Australian Army Reserves since 1975 and in 1991 was named Anzac of the Year by the Returned and Services League of Australia. Dr Bastiaan has been re-appointed as a part-time member of the Council for a period of 12 months, effective from 26 April 2008.

Ms Wendy Sharpe
Ms Sharpe has been a member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial since 2005. She has a Master of Arts degree from the University of New South Wales College of Fine Arts. Her career has included awards in the Sulma Prize in 1986, the Archibald Prize in 1996 and the Portia Geach Portrait Prize in 1995 and 2003. In 1999, Ms Sharpe was appointed as an Official Australian War Artist on the Interfet peacekeeping campaign in East Timor. She has been re-appointed as a part-time member of the Council for a period of three years, effective from 25 May 2008.