‘War Memorial raises concerns about religious dominance of Anzac Day with veterans group’, Rationale, 23 August 2024 updated
[The piece below follows an earlier article from Si Gladman. He is Executive Director of the Rationalist Society of Australia and Editor of Rationale. He also hosts a podcast. The article below is republished under Creative Commons. Another article on the subject. HH]
Update 22 February 2025: Amy Fallon writes in Crikey, quoting Peter Stanley and David Stephens, and veteran Sam Proctor.
Update 5 January 2025: Memorial confirms that the ACT RSL will continue to run Dawn Services and the right balance of religiosity has been struck.
Update 20 December 2024: More on this, without signs of resolution
‘In a letter submitted to the Australian Capital Territory’s Human Rights Commission as part of a discrimination resolution process earlier this year, the RSL’s ACT branch argued the Christian nature of the Dawn Service was not discriminatory because the content of the service was “well known and has been broadcast for many years”.
‘In response, Rationalist Society of Australia’s Executive Director Si Gladman labelled the RSL’s attitude as dismissive of the national significance of the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial (AWM).’
‘As reported earlier this month, Mr Gladman submitted a complaint to the ACT Human Rights Commission in June on the grounds that Christian dominance of the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the AWM discriminated against non-Christians. The AWM says it merely hosts the annual event “on behalf of the ACT Returned Services League” … ‘
‘Although the Dawn Service is held on the grounds of the AWM, the institution told the RSA earlier in the year that it merely hosts the annual event “on behalf of the ACT Returned Services League” and that “traditions move slowly”.’
Update 5 December 2024: ‘The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging the nation’s war memorial to take full control of commemoration services after a veterans organisation that hosts the Anzac Day service withdrew from a resolution process regarding a religious discrimination complaint.’
‘In June, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman submitted a complaint to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Human Rights Commission on the grounds that Christian dominance of the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) discriminated against non-Christians.’
‘Over several months, the ACT Human Rights Commission has been conducting an investigation into the complaint. However, the ACT branch of the Returned & Services League (RSL) has notified the ACT Human Rights Commission that it will not participate in conciliation.’
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The Australian War Memorial (AWM) has raised our concerns about the Christian dominance of Anzac Day Dawn Services with the veterans group that runs the event.
In a letter last week, the AMW’s director, Matt Anderson, told the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) that the topic was discussed at the formal debrief meeting with the ACT sub-branch of the Returned Services League (RSL) in May.
After RSA Executive Director Si Gladman expressed disappointment about the dominance of Christianity at this year’s Dawn Service, Mr Anderson conceded in June that “traditions move slowly”.
Mr Anderson had also argued that “many guests who continue to attend Dawn Service provide positive feedback”.
In July, however, Mr Gladman responded with a letter detailing a list of evidence from veterans saying they did not want to attend Dawn Services that were dominated by religion.
“Has the AWM considered that this feedback could be biased given that many non-religious people do not attend the Dawn Service because of the imposition of religion?” wrote Mr Gladman.
“It is, surely, unacceptable that religion is a barrier to many Australians wanting to participate in Anzac Day Dawn Services at the AWM and elsewhere across the country.”
The RSA also asked the AWM to raise its concerns directly in discussions with the ACT RSL in preparation for next year’s Anzac Day Dawn Service.
Mr Anderson also told the RSA his organisation’s discussions with ACT RSL on 29 May included the following two dot points.
- “It is beneficial for the Chaplain to mention that people of all faiths/beliefs are invited to reflect in their own way (noting it is a spiritual experience – not tied to one faith).”
- “The service continues to be well-attended by veterans and members of the public alike.”
The AWM Dawn Service – televised live nationally – includes several acts of Christian worship, such as Christian hymns, a Christian dedication and benediction, and the Lord’s Prayer, all presided over by a Christian chaplain.
The AWM’s own Corporate Plan 2023-27 identifies as a ‘strategic risk’ commemorations that “don’t meet community expectations or deliver social values in line with public expectations.”
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