Report to Government

Posttraumatic stress disorder research

2.38The Board considers that one of the most important legacies that should come from the Centenary is a far deeper understanding of and a more constructive approach to the ongoing impacts of war on those who are involved. A major issue is recognition of the impact of service in periods of conflict on veterans’ mental health and the consequential impact on veterans’ families. The Board acknowledges that recognition of mental health issues by the medical profession and policy makers has improved substantially. A major contributor to this improvement is investment in mental health research. The Board considers that a clear ongoing focus on evidence-based research on posttraumatic stress disorder is essential to ensure that there is a positive legacy from the Centenary of effective treatment for affected veterans. This important issue warrants continual monitoring, led by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in cooperation with the Department of Defence, including of current and emerging Australian and international research and experience. One of the options is the establishment of an Australian Centre of Excellence to conduct research and to facilitate treatment and prevention. The Board considers that corporate donations in this area, collected through the Anzac Centenary Public Fund, could make a significant contribution to research in a vital area of mental health.

Programming, documentaries and use of technology, including social media

2.39The Board is conscious that many opportunities are available for media organisations to develop programming with Anzac Centenary themes, including documentaries, creative dramatic material and programs with commemorative content. This includes programming from mainstream media companies to specialised outlets, such as the History Channel. There is scope for significant cooperation between media organisations in this area. The Board wishes to encourage the development of a range of high-quality programming and content for all forms of transmission—television, cinema, radio, online and use of new and emerging communications technologies, such as social media.

2.40Media organisations have a significant role to play in engaging the community through providing landmark programming and other material to explore, document and commemorate significant issues from Australia’s military and peacekeeping experience. Films and documentaries shown on television and online will probably be the most accessible way in which awareness and understanding of the Anzac Centenary will be enhanced. High-quality documentaries have the capacity to re-tell Australia’s military history and experiences in new and engaging ways, giving the past an immediacy and freshness that links Australians today with the personal stories of the men and women who participated in events decades ago.

2.41In conjunction with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Screen Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation is currently planning a series of relevant history documentaries. The Board considers that financial support for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation—the national broadcaster—and Screen Australia to develop high-quality documentaries to commemorate and raise awareness of the Anzac Centenary is appropriate.

2.42Radio is well-suited to provide in-depth programs covering the range of conflicts and peacekeeping operations in which Australians have been involved, and to explore a range of issues. Radio is also an ideal medium for broadcasting music of all genres relevant to the Centenary, including new compositions. The history of reporting of conflicts in which Australia has been involved, using the archives of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, other media organisations and from other national cultural institutions, provides another compelling set of viewpoints on war.

2.43Use of new information and communications technologies offers an exciting range of possibilities for engaging the community with Anzac Centenary events, messaging and values in more effective ways. The phenomenal growth of social media use in Australia—Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube—creates opportunities to engage with Australians and visitors with real-time information about events and initiatives and to interact with individual people about their expectations and experiences. Engagement can be far more personal, informal, informative and interactive, and larger numbers of clients can be involved cost-effectively. The sharing of information and personal interaction will also be a vehicle to disseminate the values, principles and culture of a respectful and creative Anzac Centenary commemoration. The Board encourages a particular focus on curriculum-linked material for schools. While younger generations may be more readily engaged through new interactive technologies, older Australians are also likely to use social media, as well as more traditional approaches to communication.

2.44The huge growth of smartphones and tablet computers opens up opportunities to provide current information to people when and where they need it; for example, location-based information about important sites or commemorations, including Centenary-related apps.

2.45All communication activities should include a range of social engagement tactics, such as online communication, social networking and other new technologies, as part of a broader communication approach.

2.46The Board encourages all government and non-government agencies and organisations involved with providing services and information during the Anzac Centenary to develop holistic approaches to communication with emphasis on social engagement through new technologies. Social media is evolutionary and ongoing usage will require upgrading and consideration of the budgetary impacts of rapidly changing technologies and applications.

HMAS AE2

2.47The HMAS AE2 took part in operations leading to the occupation of German New Guinea, including the surrender of Rabaul on 13 September 1914. It was the first Allied vessel to pass through the Dardanelles and enter the sea of Marmara. This happened on 25 April 1915. It was Australia’s first vessel lost to enemy action and is the largest Australian relic from the Gallipoli campaign. It was scuttled by its crew after being struck by fire from an Ottoman torpedo boat, the Sultanhisar. The submarine’s crew was subsequently rescued by the Sultanhisar. The AE2 lies at the bottom of the Sea of Marmara in present-day Turkey. The vessel was not located until 1998. Its preservation is endangered by inquisitive divers, as well as from fishing nets and vessels’ anchoring. Expert advice is against floating the AE2, as this would be dangerous and prohibitively expensive.

2.48The Board acknowledges the work of the AE2 Commemorative Foundation Limited in seeking to protect, preserve and examine the vessel, and to improve awareness of the AE2’s role in the First World War and its current physical condition. The Board considers that cost-effective efforts to protect and preserve the vessel from further deterioration and damage are worthwhile. For example, installation of a navigational buoy marking the submarine’s position, in conjunction with seeking to establish a no-fish/no-anchor zone with the cooperation of the Turkish authorities, would provide a threshold level of protection. Educational efforts to raise Australians’ understanding of the importance of the AE2, especially targeted at younger Australians, are also important. These measures could be funded by corporate donations through the Anzac Centenary Public Fund.