AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006 AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006 Annual report for the year ended 30 June 2006, together with the financial statements and the report of the Auditor-General. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, The Hon. Bruce Billson, MP, speaks at the launch of Sport and war. Previous Page: Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon. John Howard, and his wife Jeanette, lay a flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier on ANZAC Day 2006. ISSN 1441 4198 i i AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006 i i i i v 3 INTRODUCTION TO THE REPORT The Annual Report of the Australian War Memorial for the year ended 30 June 2006 follows the format for an Annual Report for a Commonwealth Authority in accordance with the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies (CAC) (Report of Operations) Orders 2002 under the CAC Act 1997. Details of plans mentioned in the report can be obtained from the Contact Officer noted below. The report has been constructed to reflect the Memorial’s Outcome and Outputs structure and to address Government reporting requirements. Part One Corporate Governance includes the Chairman’s Report and details of the Council and its operations and performance. Part Two Director’s Highlights and Overview of the Memorial’s performance during 2005–06. Part Three Corporate Summary provides information on the structure and reporting framework of the Memorial. Part Four Performance Report details performance information against the Memorial’s Outcome and against external and internal Outputs. Part Five Accountability provides detailed information about the Memorial as required for reporting. Part Six Report by the Auditor General including the financial statements. Part Seven Appendices provide additional information about the Memorial, including staff profiles, collection acquisitions and disposals, and major sponsors. Contact Officer The contact officer for enquiries about this report is: The Executive Officer Corporate Services Australian War Memorial GPO Box 345 Canberra ACT 2601 Phone: (02) 6243 4290 Fax: (02) 6243 4330 Email: [email protected] A copy of this report may be found on the Memorial’s website at www.awm.gov.au AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006 1 CONTENTS Introduction 1 Highlights 4 1. Corporate Governance 7 Chairman’s Report 7 Council of the Memorial 9 2. Director’s Highlights and Overview 11 3. Corporate Summary 15 Purpose and Outcome 15 Planning and Reporting Framework 15 Organisation Chart and Senior Staff 16 Branch Descriptions 16 4. Performance Report 19 Output Definition and Overall Performance 19 External Outputs Output 1.1 Commemoration Ceremonies 21 Output 1.2 The National Memorial and Grounds 24 Output 1.3 The National Collection 26 Output 1.4 Exhibitions 34 Output 1.5 Interpretive Services 39 Output 1.6 Promotion and Community Services 42 Output 1.7 Research, Information, and Dissemination 45 Output 1.8 Visitor Services 48 Internal Outputs Output 1.9 Corporate Governance 50 Output 1.10 Executive Strategic Management 51 Output 1.11 Resource Management 52 Output 1.12 Revenue Generation 56 Output 1.13 Team Management 57 5. Accountability 59 Enabling Legislation and Responsible Minister 60 External and Internal Audits 62 Effects of Ministerial Directions 62 Indemnities and Insurance Premiums 63 Legal Actions 63 Social Justice and Equity 63 2 Service Charter 64 Consultancy Services 65 Advertising and Market Research 65 Freedom of Information Act 1982, Section 8 Statement and Statistics 66 Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Section 516A Statement 68 Occupational Health and Safety 69 Commonwealth Disability Strategy Report 70 6. Financial Statements 71 Report by the Auditor-General and Financial Statements 71 7. Appendices 105 1. Council Membership 106 Council Committee Membership 106 Council Members’ Attendance 110 2. Council Profiles 111 3. Senior Staff Profiles 115 4. VIP Visits and Ceremonies 119 5. Acquisitions and Disposals 122 6. Travelling Exhibitions 128 7. Staff Publications, Lectures, and Talks 130 8. Staffing Overview as at 30 June 2006 142 Performance-Based Pay 142 People Development and Training Report 143 9. New Loans 144 10. Scholarship, Fellowship, and Grant Holders 174 11. Major Sponsors 175 12. Alliances, Partnerships, and Cooperation 177 Glossary 185 Compliance Index 188 Index 189 AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL 2005–06 VP DAY 60TH ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, The Right Hon. Tony Blair, and his wife, His Majesty, Carl Gustaf King Cherie Blair. of Sweden. SPECIAL VISITORS AND EVENTS The Queen’s Baton Relay runners Sergeant Jason Moriarty and Keith Payne VC. Following the Treasure Trail. Seven thousand attending the annual Christmas carols. 4 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL 2005–06 THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPENING OF THE C.E.W. BEAN BUILDING SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN update POST–1945 CONFLICTS GALLERIES AND SIGNIFICANT SPONSORSHIP Dick Smith presents a cheque for $1 million for the Iroquois helicopter object theatre display. A further $1 million was donated by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation. AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006 5 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL 2005-06 CONTINUED Travelling EXHIBITIONS PROGRAM SUCCESSES Shared experience exhibition. Australia under attack 1942-1943. The two millionth visitor to a Memorial travelling exhibition. ANZAC DAY Record crowd at the 2006 Dawn Service 6 1 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Chairman’s Report During the course of the year the Council and staff of the Australian War Memorial have directed their attention to the construction of the C.E.W. Bean building and the planning of displays for the Post–1945 Conflicts galleries. In April 2006 the C.E.W. Bean building was opened by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Honourable Bruce Billson. This building was designed to provide purpose-built accommodation for elements of the administrative staff previously housed in the main Memorial building and off the site, but principally to provide additional space for the development of the Post–1945 Conflicts galleries. The building fulfils the aims admirably and has been well received by the relocated staff elements. Early in 2006 Council approved the planning for the new galleries which will tell the story of Australia’s involvement in war from the development of the Cold War in 1945 through to the current deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. In this process the existing Korea, Vietnam, and Peacekeeping galleries will be redeveloped and four smaller galleries added. In addition, the Discovery Room, so popular with young Australians, will be entirely redeveloped and expanded. Council has been impressed with current planning which will incorporate the presentation of major episodes involving Australians in Korea and Vietnam together with a significant amount of additional detail. All gallery displays will be developed using the latest technology and a variety of techniques to produce what will undoubtedly be an outstanding result. Redevelopment of galleries on this scale is a major undertaking and Council will be guided by the same principles which have been employed so successfully in the past: significant management oversight to blend the technical skills of the contractors with the historical scholarship of the staff and extensive stakeholder consultation. This latter process is particularly important and has proven to be successful in previous developments. Beginning in late-2004, the staff contacted a wide variety of ex-service organisations and individuals in the community who have a direct interest in the new displays, explaining what is planned and listening to the views of the participants. Council is satisfied that the extensive planning that has taken place by a very experienced team of the Director and his principal staff, together with stakeholder consultation, will produce a result that will be a source of pride to all Australians. The establishment of a Corporate Support Committee in 2005 has had positive results. So far two successful dinners have been held to interest past and potential supporters of the Memorial in current and future developments. Both dinners have been supported by notable guest speakers and have included a number of prominent Australians as guests. The dinners have included a guided tour and an object theatre display and have been well received. So far significant donations to the Memorial have resulted from this initiative, particularly $1m each from Mr Dick Smith and the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation. These gifts will be used in contributing to the development of specific displays in the new galleries and the Discovery Room and will greatly enhance their presentation. It is planned to continue with this process with at least two dinners each year. In addition, the Memorial received substantial funding from Government to complete the installation and display of the bridge of the HMAS Brisbane. During the course of the year Council approved a comprehensive plan for the redevelopment of the eastern precinct and minor adjustments to the completed plan for the western precinct. This plan for the east involves an underground car park, a new café, significant changes to bus parking and pedestrian flows, and extensive landscaping. This plan will be implemented over time as funding becomes available and will greatly improve both practical and aesthetic aspects of the Memorial’s grounds. In the previous year the Uhrig Report was released which dealt with various aspects of corporate governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders. The report was of particular interest to Council as it potentially affected the relationships of the Chairman and the Director with the Minister and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. During the course of the year the Director and staff worked closely with the Department to produce a response to the report, which was considered by Council at the May meeting. From Council’s viewpoint the report is entirely satisfactory as it re-affirms the present effective arrangements with some additional Statements of Expectations from the Minister and responses from Council.