Date of tip: 6 December 2006.
Source: Craig Tibbitts, Curator of Official Records, Research Centre, Australian War Memorial.
The purpose of the Australian War Memorial is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war. Its mission is to assist Australians to remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society.
The Memorial is a unique Australian national institution that combines a shrine, a world-class museum and an extensive Research Centre. The Memorial’s Research Centre is the single most important resource for researching Australia's military history. It is the first point of contact for all public inquiries about Australian military history and the Memorial's collections.
Location: Treloar Crescent, Campbell, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) 2612, Australia. Phone: +61 (02) 6243 4315. Email: info@awm.gov.au
How to get there: The Australian War Memorial is situated in the suburb of Campbell, which is in North Canberra, not far from the Civic Centre. Three roads lead to the Memorial; Limestone Ave, Fairbairn Ave or Anzac Parade. There is ample parking at the rear of the buildings. The Research Centre’s reading room is located on the bottom floor of the old building (the big one with the dome).
Language: Most archival material is in English language, although there are some records (mainly captured material) in German and Japanese. Published material also exists in a variety of languages as well.
Getting started: The Research Centre is open to the general public. If you request original archival material, you will need to register on your first visit whereupon you will be issued a reader’s card. It is recommended that you plan ahead before visiting the Research Centre, by exploring our holdings online, and where possible putting in orders to view material in advance. Some of our material is held offsite and cannot be retrieved on the spot. More detail on what you need to know and planning your visit to the Research Centre is on our website at http://www.awm.gov.au/research/infosheets/intro.asp
Opening Hours: Every Monday – Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed Sundays, Christmas Day and ACT public holidays.
General working conditions: The Research Centre is an archive and library combined, with a capacity to accommodate up to 50 readers at a time, in a comfortable, well-lit environment. We also have computer terminals available with access to the internet, all catalogues and databases, and digitised collection material.
Consultation: Researchers can request up to five items at a time.
Policy on technology: Lap top computers and digital cameras (without tripods or supports) are permitted in the Research Centre, however no scanners of any kind are allowed.
Photocopy policy: See http://www.awm.gov.au/research/infosheets/copying_services.asp#photocopies
How to apply for classified files: The Official records component of our archival collection is governed by the Archives Act 1983. This specifies a period where records are closed to the public for a period of thirty years after they are created. All official records are then examined for exemptions before release to the public. The catalogue entry for each official record will say if it’s been examined and released yet or not. It’s well worthwhile putting in a request for access to a record a week or two in advance of visiting, especially if the records are ‘Not Yet Examined.’ It is also worth contacting the Research Centre to check if they’ve been released as some may take several weeks to clear. Only a tiny percentage of official records remain closed to the public under exemptions of the Archives Act.
Contact name in case of questions regarding classified files:
Contact the Research Centre on email: info@awm.gov.au or by phone on +61 (02) 6243 4315
Places to Stay: The Australian War Memorial is in North Canberra, close to the Civic Centre. There are plenty of accommodation options nearby.
Funding: The Australian War Memorial Act 1980 requires the Memorial to "conduct, arrange and assist in research into matters pertaining to Australian military history". The Memorial has fulfilled this function, in part, through the Research Grants Scheme, Research Fellowships, and Summer Vacation Scholarships.
Details at http://www.awm.gov.au/research/grants.htm
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