Minister Keogh's media release was available yesterday morning and was reported yesterday afternoon on the Canberra Times website. Here is the text of the release:
THE HON MATT KEOGH MP
MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL
9 November 2025
MEDIA RELEASE
APPOINTMENT OF AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL COUNCIL MEMBERS
I am pleased to announce the appointments of Ms Lesley Alway, Mr Peter Tinley AM, and Major General Wade Stothart AO DSC CSC (Retd) to the Australian War Memorial Council for three years.
The Council is responsible for the conduct and control of the affairs and policy of the Memorial, including its displays and exhibits, maintaining the Commemorative Area, and overseeing its major expansion project.
The new appointments will bring a fresh, broader perspective to the Council, while the reappointment of two existing Council members will also ensure continuity and retention of corporate knowledge.
Ms Alway has been the Chair of the Geelong Arts Centre Trust since 2018 and has over 30 years’ experience in cultural policy, management and international engagement. She was also a member of the Boards of Opera Australia from 2009 to 2018 and a Member of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Arts from 2009 to 2015. Ms Alway’s experience in cultural organisations and special expertise in the visual arts will greatly benefit the Council during the Memorial’s development project.
Mr Tinley was recently elected as the RSL National President and brings a combination of military, political and business experience to his Council role. Mr Tinley served for 25 years in the ADF, including 17 years with the Special Air Services Regiment. Following his military career, he served in the Western Australian Parliament for 15 years, including as Minister for Veterans Issues, and is also currently Chair of the Veterans’ Transition Centre in Western Australia.
Major General Stothart (Retd) recently commenced as the Director of the Office of Australian War Graves, where he oversees the official commemoration of Australian war dead, as well as the maintenance of Australian war cemeteries, war graves and memorials. Major General Stothart (Retd) has over 30-years’ experience in strategic leadership, complex program management and stakeholder engagement in the Australia Defence Force (ADF), retiring as Head of Military Personnel in 2024. Mr Stothart’s appointment will enhance collaboration between these two important national commemorative institutions.
The Hon Kim Beazley AC and Ms Sharon Bown AM have been reappointed to the Council for a further three years.
I wish to thank outgoing Council members the Hon Tony Abbott AC, Major General Greg Melick AO RFD FANZCN KC (Retd) and Mr Daniel Keighran VC for their stewardship of the Memorial and tireless commitment to serving Australia’s veteran community.
Defending Country will comment separately on the Minister's announcement and related matters.
Picture credit: People celebrate Victory in the Pacific Day at the Australian War Memorial main building in August 1945 (Harold Abbott, AWM)
