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Shields, Bevan: Incoming War Memorial boss defends massive redevelopment and new focus

Bevan Shields

Incoming War Memorial boss defends massive redevelopment and new focus‘, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 December 2019

Incoming Director, Matt Anderson, supports plans for redevelopment, sounding rather like his predecessor, though Mr Anderson expresses willingness to talk to critics. He also notes the opposition to funding by weapons manufacturers, without offering to change the approach.

While promising to “listen very carefully” to critics of the demolition of the award-winning Anzac Hall to the rear of the shrine, Mr Anderson told The Sydney Morning Herald  the memorial had to do a better job of remembering more recent conflicts.

The piece is also in The Age. There is a comments facility on the SMH version and at the time of posting, the great majority of the 47 comments received were against the $500m expansion, with very little note being taken of Mr Anderson’s arrival, which is expected to occur in March.

The piece includes a quote from outgoing Director Nelson. He approves of the appointment of Mr Anderson, whom he encouraged to apply for the job.