Media Release - Hawker Among 'Places of Pride' Showcased at Australian War Memorial
MEDIA RELEASE
HAWKER AMONG ‘PLACES OF PRIDE’ SHOWCASED AT AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
How Hawker commemorates its veterans is showcased in ‘Places of Pride’, a stirring film commissioned by the Australian War Memorial to screen on loop in its new Main Entrance.
The film carries the same name as the program of the National Register of War Memorials, an Australian War Memorial initiative to record the location and photos of every war memorial across the country.
“With more than 12,000 memorials recorded on the Places of Pride register, the Hawker War Memorial is one of just 42 locations chosen to feature in this very special film,” said Terri-Anne Simmonds, head of Digital Experience at the Australian War Memorial.
“Filming of memorials, commemorative services and the Australians who care for and conduct them, took place across the nation throughout 2024, with the finished film ready for the opening of the Memorial’s new Main Entrance,” Ms Simmonds said.
“Over 28 minutes, following an arc from dawn to dusk, ‘Places of Pride’ takes viewers on a journey around Australia, showcasing war memorials and commemorations of all kinds and the communities they serve,” said Matt Anderson, Director of the Australian War Memorial.
Whether a capital city or rural town, every state and territory is featured – from Thursday Island off northern Queensland, south to communities in Tasmania, from Newcastle, NSW, west to Broome, WA, and dozens of places in between.
Local places of pride range from monuments, cenotaphs, sculptures and shrines to avenues of honour, walking tracks, gardens, memorial swimming pools and murals.
Alongside the film in the Australian War Memorial’s Main Entrance is an Interactive Map Screen where visitors can enter an Australian postcode to search for a memorial in that region.
The Flinders Ranges Council Mayor Ken Anderson was proud to have Hawker chosen to feature. “It is amazing to think that the Hawker War Memorial was chosen to feature in this project and it is a true testament to the dedication of many volunteers over the years who saw a vision for the old Hawker War Memorial Swimming Pool site which has resulted in the stunning War Memorial that is there today.”
“To be featured amongst some of the biggest and most stunning war memorials in Australia is a real privilege. I personally thank those who have contributed to the War Memorial over time and also to those that braved that cold morning in June last year when filming was undertaken. The final film is truly fitting.”
Visit the Australian War Memorial to see the film on a big screen or watch it online and review the memorials included at placesofpride.awm.gov.au/film.
To search the National Register of War Memorials, visit placesofpride.awm.gov.au