Australia’s efforts in restoring peace to East Timor have been immortalised in this year’s Anzac Day commemorative poster. Unveiled by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, the poster features a striking image of Australian soldiers patrolling in the streets of Dili, on 2 October 1999. One of the soldiers featured in the poster, former Private Paul Everett, joined Mr Griffin at the Australian War Memorial today.

“This year marks ten years since Australia led the INTERFET operation in East Timor - restoring peace to a territory torn apart by political violence,” Mr Griffin said. “East Timor was a milestone in Australia’s military history. It is there that the work of people like Paul Everett made a real difference to the lives of our near neighbours. I am pleased that this poster will draw attention to the service of our younger veterans."

“These young Australians may not yet see themselves as veterans, but with more than 25,000 troops having deployed overseas since 1999, the number of younger veterans is growing. It is clear that our proud Anzac traditions are in good hands.”

Mr Griffin also noted that tomorrow marks 93 years since the first Anzacs arrived on the Western Front from Gallipoli. This year the Government will again hold an official Anzac Day Dawn Service on the Western Front. This now annual service will join those also organised in Gallipoli, Hellfire Pass, Sandakan and Isurava.

“I encourage all Australians to attend a local Anzac Day service or march. If they are travelling abroad, I ask them to consider attending a service in the country they are visiting,” Mr Griffin said.

More than 85,000 copies of the poster will be distributed around Australia and overseas.