I have just found out that the playing of " The Last Post " at the end of the day at Australian War Memorial is now going to be sponsored by a communication company in Canberra. This company will be acknowledged at the playing. According to AWM they are doing this because of budget cuts by the Federal Government. I find this an insult to the fallen service men and woman who gave their lives for this country that the budget to the place that honours them has been cut.
Sign of the times I am afraid John. Previous governments have been quite "Liberal" with funds for the AWM and they are envied in many ways for the quality of the work they have done and what is available on line in their databases. What we possibly have to look at is the $'s are going to allow them to continue their good work in the future whereas some areas may have had to be curtailed. Cheers Geoff
This is the type of thing (the cost-cutting) I'd expect to see in the UK (no offense). I truly hope our foremost museum does not struggle in the future.
What worries me is that this maybe to test public opinion on sponsorship of the AWM and if there is no major outcry, then we will see more sponsors. Lets hope this is not the first step to privatisation of the AWM
I suppose it was inevitable that something like this would happen. Maybe they should say; Joe Business men's company, has bought you the last post in memory of all ADF personnel past and current. Though I'm with most others and wish it never came to sponsorship,
From what I gather, the outcry on talk-back radio etc has been quite vocal. However, all of the aviation displays within the museum are sponsored by Qantas and quite a few of the displays as a whole are sponsored by private business.
Even the ETERNAL FLAME is sponsored by Australian Gas Association. As much as I dislike the AWM having to use sponsorship to make money, I guess it is left with no choice.
It's a sad state of affairs that something so honourable has to ask for private funds but, admittedly, if it brings the sacrifices of our servicemen/women to the attention of a greater range of people, then so be it. I still think, though, that if the AWM wants something, the government should provide it without question.
