The Honourable Graham Edwards has been appointed to the Australian War Memorial Council, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, Alan Griffin, announced today. “Mr Edwards has an enduring interest in veteran and military issues and I am pleased to announce his appointment,” Mr Griffin said. “He has had a long and distinguished career in politics and the Australian Public Service, including several years with my Department, and I’m sure the Australian War Memorial Council will benefit from his experience.”

Mr Edwards served in the regular army for three years (1968 – 1971) and saw service in Vietnam with the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in 1970. He was wounded twice in Vietnam, the second time losing his legs to a ‘jumping jack’ anti personnel land mine. After discharge from the army and a period of rehabilitation Mr Edwards spent ten years with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Department of Defence. He was elected as an Honorary Councillor with the City of Stirling in 1980 and in 1983 was elected to the West Australian Parliament, where he served for 14 years including seven years as a Minister.

In 1998 Mr Edwards was elected to the House of Representatives and he retired in 2007. Mr Edwards was recognised by the RSL with the Anzac of the Year award in 1991 for service to the veteran community and has also been awarded the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and the Lions Melvin Jones Fellow. Mr Edwards is a member of the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Ex-Service Matters and the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council.

Mr Griffin said Mr Edwards’ appointment as a member of the Council for a period of three years beginning 3 June 2010 was approved by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Australian War Memorial Council is an independent body responsible for the strategic direction of the Australian War Memorial.