Office of Australian War Graves 50th Anniversary Commemorative Rose – ‘In Perpetuity’
2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG). The OAWG has developed the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Rose ‘In Perpetuity’ to acknowledge and highlight the work of the Australian Government and to continue to promote the work of the program and draw attention to the recognition of war dead and post war dead Australian veterans.
The name ‘In-Perpetuity’ reinforces both the ongoing nature of remembrance but also the work of OAWG in the perpetual maintenance of war cemeteries, graves and places of individual commemoration of our fallen.
On 24 March 2025, the Hon Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, planted the first official Commemorative Rose ‘In Perpetuity’ to acknowledge the 50th Anniversary of the OAWG. The rose will shortly be planted across the network of Gardens of Remembrance and War Cemeteries.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is inviting expressions of interest from Ex-Service Organisations, cultural institutions, and state, territory and local government organisations who may be interested in partnering on the sale of the rose to the public, with proceeds donated in support of current and former ADF members and their families. The Office of Australian War Graves can be contacted at wargraves@dva.gov.au or 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 732) for those organisations wishing to apply for the Commemorative Rose.
Applications are limited to representatives from Ex-Service Organisations, cultural institutions, and state, territory and local government organisations who can apply to the Office of Australian War Graves to receive the Commemorative Rose.
Applicants must demonstrate they intend to plant the rose in a commemorative setting, for example, a commemorative garden or state, territory or local government war memorial. Each Commemorative Rose will be delivered with growing instructions dependent on how and where it will be planted.
