National Boer War Memorial Design Competition

The Australian National Boer War Memorial Competition has concluded. Prizes have been awarded. The final design chosen by the judging panel was a composite of more than one entry. The design is currently being reviewed by the Canberra National Memorials Committee (CNMC) consisting of:

• The Prime Minister
• The Minister (currently the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government)
• The Leader of the Government in the Senate
• The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
• The Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives
• The Secretary of the Department (currently the Secretary of the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government)
• An officer appointed by the Minister (currently the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs; previously the Chief Executive of the National Capital Authority)
• Two other members to be appointed by the Governor-General from amongst persons who are residents of the Australian Capital Territory (currently vacant, and probably never appointed).

Difficulties with the CNMC, have recently been reviewed, and a report recommends changes.

When the committee makes a decision, the result can be announced; then there is the matter of funding the construction. In the interim, the video below is worthy of review. In it the President of the National Boer War Memorial Association Colonel John Haynes OAM (Retd) gives a short talk on the Boer War, and explains what needs to happen to establish the memorial. The video was recorded at the Launch of Reserve Forces Day 2012, Parliament House, Sydney, 26 November 2011.