Anzac Centre on track

A flood of politicians from all levels of government unveiled the logo of the National Anzac Centre last Tuesday, with the facility on track to be completed by its ultimate deadline, the November 1 Anzac centenary commemorations.

Representatives from the Federal and State governments, the City of Albany, BGC, Eventscorp and the Australian Defence Force attended the unveiling of the symbol, a nine-pointed star which represents the States, Territories and New Zealand.

Anzac Centre Implementation Committee chairman Richard Muirhead said the building site was currently five days behind schedule after some rock was hit early on in construction.

“The internal walls are starting to be built, internal fit-out has started, we still expect the interpretive component to be done in time and the content to be loaded,” he said.

“The Wesfarmers project (a commemorative walk) is going very well, we’re just waiting on final prices and we have completed the design.”

Mr Muirhead said the building was still set for the building to be completed by August 15.

“To be very frank, the building is the easiest component to finish, then there’s the psychical component made up of historical artefacts and a lot of electronic trickery, they are using digital layering,” he said.

“The big push is the work being done by the WA Museum and writing the content that goes into the electronics, that is the bit that’s going to take the longest.”

Mr Muirhead said workers were on site five days a week but would extend to six if necessary.

Federal Veterans’ Affairs Minister and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of Anzac Michael Ronaldson said an impressive amount of work had been done since his visit five months ago.

“Quite frankly, because the first of November is such a defining moment in this nation’s history, we want it completed and ready to go by then,” the Senator said.

State Veterans’ Minister Joe Francis said BGC was very aware of the time constraints when it accepted the contract.

“People are realising that other than the Australian War Memorial the most significant place of commemoration will be Albany,” he said.

CAPTION: Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson, State Veterans’ Minister Joe Francis, Federal Veterans’ Affairs Minister and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of Anzac Senator Michael Ronaldson and City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington with the National Anzac Centre logo. Pictures: Laurie Benson