NSW Office for Veterans Affairs

📢 APPLICATIONS CLOSE NEXT WEEK!

Applications close in one week for the NSW Government’s Community War Memorials Fund.

Grants of up to $15,000 are available for the conservation of local war memorials, including specialist heritage advice, physical work and works to war memorial precincts.

The Fund is open to local councils and community organisations, including memorial trusts, veteran groups and crown land managers.

⏰ Applications close 25 June 2026 at 11pm.

For further info and to apply 👉 www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/cwmf

Today Uncle Harry Allie AM BEM retires as Chair of the coordinating committee of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Commemoration at the Anzac Memorial, Sydney.

As a proud Gudjala elder, Air Force veteran of 23 years and the inaugural elder for the Air Force, Uncle Harry has served as Chair since the inaugural commemoration in 2007. He has been a dignified leader and uniting force behind expanding the commemoration and strengthening engagement with schools.

In May at the 20th anniversary of the commemoration, Minister for Veterans, David Harris MP, presented Uncle Harry with a certificate on behalf of the NSW Premier Chris Minns to acknowledge his contributions.

We thank Uncle Harry for his hard work and dedication over the last two decades, and wish him the best for his retirement.

Image 1 and 6: NSW Government
Image 2: Department of Defence - ADF SGT Nicole Dorrett and PTE Ryahn Rahme
Image 3: Darryl Charles Photography

📢 DON’T MISS OUT! APPLICATIONS CLOSE IN 2 WEEKS!

Applications close in two weeks for the NSW Government’s Community War Memorials Fund.

Grants of up to $15,000 are available for the conservation of local war memorials, including specialist heritage advice, physical work and works to war memorial precincts.

The Fund is open to local councils and community organisations, including memorial trusts, veteran groups and crown land managers.

⏰ Applications close 25 June 2026 at 11pm.

For further info and to apply 👉 www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/cwmf

This June marks 80 years since war widows in NSW came together — not to seek sympathy, but to demand recognition and to support one another.

Eight decades on, the Families of Veterans Guild carries that work forward, standing alongside war widows and veteran families across Australia.

Find out more: https://familiesofveterans.org.au/the-guild-80th-anniversary/

Eighty years ago today, war widows came together in NSW for the first time. Not seeking pity nor charity, but recognition, fair compensation and a place in the public conversation that had overlooked them.

Today, we mark 80 years of bringing out the best in each other the Families of Veterans Guild remains a living legacy of these incredible women. Still advocating. Still standing alongside war widows and families across the country.

Follow our anniversary year and get involved, visit: https://familiesofveterans.org.au/the-guild-80th-anniversary or follow the link in our bio.

Today we commemorate 82 years since the D–Day landings in Normandy in France, on 6 June 1944.

Around 3,200 Australians took part in the D-Day landings – by sea, land and air. Australia’s main contribution came in the air with approximately 1,000 Australian airmen with Royal Australian Air Force squadrons, and a further 1,800 operating on attachment to the Royal Air Force.

After the landing, thousands more served during the Normandy campaign and beyond.

These efforts came at a cost, with 13 Australians killed on 6 June and hundreds more killed over the course of the campaign while flying in support of the ground forces in Normandy.

In terms of total casualties, June 1944 was the worst month in the history of the Royal Australian Air Force.

Today, we remember their service and sacrifice in this decisive moment in the Second World War.

Lest we forget.

📷: Group portrait of RAAF aircrew of No. 196 (Glider Towing) Squadron of RAF of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force, who flew the glider towing aircraft when the Allied armies landed in Normandy on D-Day. AWM UK1414.

📣 Coffs Harbour Veteran Community Forum
📅 Thursday 30 July 2026 | 10:00am – 2:00pm

Veterans, current serving members and their families in the Coffs Harbour region are invited to a community forum to learn about the services and supports available to the veteran community in NSW.

Hear from:
👉 NSW Minister for Veterans, the Hon. David Harris MP
👉 NSW Government Office for Veterans Affairs
👉 Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs
👉 Local service providers
👉 Legacy, RSL NSW and RSL LifeCare Veteran Services

The forum is open to anyone in the veteran community, including veterans, their families, advocates and ESOs.

Register your attendance now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/coffs-harbour-veteran-community-forum-tickets-1989073650834

New art exhibition at the Anzac Memorial – 𝘓𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦🎨

Marking 85 years since the Allied campaigns in Greece and Crete, 𝘓𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦 showcases powerful works by contemporary Australian and New Zealand artists who retraced the footsteps of those who served.

Featuring art works and short films, the exhibition explores the landscapes, stories and lasting impressions of the campaign.

📅 Open until mid-July 2026
📍 Auditorium, Lower Floor
🎟 Free entry

Full details 👉 anzacmemorial.nsw.gov.au/event/lustre

Last week, First Nations students from Coonabarabran High School, New England Girls School (NEGS Armidale), The Armidale School, and St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour travelled to Sydney to participate in the Indigenous Veterans Commemoration at the Anzac Memorial.

The schools were selected to participate in the annual NSW Government Regional Youth Program, supporting students from around New South Wales to participate in the commemoration which unites the community to recognise the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans.

The students met Chair of the organising committee, Uncle Harry Allie, who served in the Air Force as well as the guest speaker, Lieutenant Commander Damian Briggs.

As part of the program, the students also toured the Anzac Memorial and the Australian Museum.

NSW Department of Education Independent Schools NSW Catholic Schools NSW

This morning, we marked the 20th anniversary of the Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service.

Students lined the Pool of Reflection and joined online for the ceremony which acknowledges the service of Indigenous veterans since the Boer War, as well as those who proudly serve in all branches of the Australian Defence Force today.

The ceremony was hosted by Master of Ceremonies SQNLDR Coen Henry, with an Acknowledgement of Country delivered by Kaleb Ellison from St Andrews College, Marayong. Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, read The Coloured Digger poem, followed by a commemorative address from Lieutenant Commander Damian Briggs. The Ode was recited by Uncle Harry Allie.

The service also recognised Uncle Harry, who is retiring as Chair of the Coordinating Committee. Since the commemoration began in 2007, he has served as Chair and has been instrumental in shaping and sustaining this important service.

Lest we forget.

2026 Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.