Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the 25 October 2013, I was privileged to be present when the first sod was turned for the new Anzac interpretive centre at Albany, in my electorate of O'Connor. This was a very significant moment for the commencement of and lead-up to the Centenary of Anzac commemorations. On 11 March 2014, I was again present at the unveiling of the logo and naming of the interpretive centre, now known as the National Anzac Centre. The logo is a nine-pointed star representing each of the Australian states and territories and New Zealand. Following the unveiling, I took a tour of the National Anzac Centre with the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of Anzac, Senator Michael Ronaldson; the state Minister for Veterans, the Hon. Joe Francis; and the Mayor of the City of Albany, Dennis Wellington.

Astonishing progress has been made with the building structure, which is fully enclosed and on target to be at lock-up stage by 5 April. The progress that has been made is testament to the skills and professionalism of the Albany Anzac Centre Implementation Committee, chaired by Richard Muirhead, and the other five members of the committee; the builders, BGC Construction; the WA government's Building Management Authority; and the works department of the City of Albany. It is envisaged that Albany will become a centrepiece and launching pad for the pilgrimage of Australians and New Zealanders retracing the footsteps of their ancestors to the battlefields of the First World War.