Associate Professor Simon Forrest, Director of Curtin University’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies, has been appointed as an educational advisor to the ANZAC Centenary Advisory Board.
Associate Professor Forrest is a member of the Education and Curriculum sub-group, which will provide advice on how to best incorporate the Centenary in the national curriculum and identify educational opportunities for primary and secondary school students.
The sub-group, comprised of 14 members, will also develop strategies to build a lasting legacy of the Centenary through new media.
They will canvas opinions from within the education sector and provide advice to the Board, who will in turn advise the Government on commemoration activities.
Associate Professor Forrest said he was looking forward his role and the opportunities it would provide.
“I feel honoured and fortunate to be a member of the Education and Curriculum Working Group,” Associate Professor Forrest said.
Associate Professor Forrest’s grandfather served in WW1 and his father became one of the first Indigenous people to become a commissioned officer in the RAAF, serving in Adelaide and Perth.
He said he did not believe they and other Indigenous servicemen received the recognition they deserved.
“I think that the Anzac Centenary Program will be an opportunity to provide appropriate recognition to all Indigenous servicemen past and present,” he said
“By providing that recognition, Aboriginal participation in the program will be greater and more inclusive, particularly as an educational tool for remote and other Aboriginal communities about Anzac Day and other commemorative days.”
The group members are composed of Australians from all walks of life.
ANZAC centenary commemorations will take place from 2014 to 2018.
Contacts:
Bonnie Ripper, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: Mobile: 0401 103 373, Email: b.ripper@curtin.edu.au
Web: http://curtin.edu.au
