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Office of Australian War Graves

OAWG

1 January 1975 – present

Office, now part of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, that maintains war cemeteries, war graves and memorials in Australia and the region as agent of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and provides official commemoration for veterans whose deaths were related to service.

How it came into existence

Formed on 1 January 1975 as a stand-alone Commonwealth agency, taking over from the Anzac Agency of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which was wound up at the end of 1974.

Legislation: War Graves Act 1980

Changes during its life

  1. 1980Given a statutory basis by the War Graves Act 1980, which formalised the office of Director of War Graves.

Main functions

  • Maintenance of war cemeteries, war graves and memorials
  • Agency of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Australia and the region
  • Official commemoration of veterans whose deaths were service-related
  • Construction and care of official overseas memorials

Where it sits

In the portfolio of Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Lineage

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Sources

Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.