Dr Brendan Nelson AO’s role as director of the Australian War Memorial is one of great responsibility, reflecting on the lives lived and lost during Australia’s time at war. It is a role where Dr Nelson reveals he showcases stories in the context of war, which are so often not about war itself but a celebration of the Australian spirit.
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Dr Nelson joins host Phil Tarrant to reflect on his time before his current director role, including his tenure as Australia’s ambassador to NATO in Brussels, and share the plans for the development of the Australian War Memorial, with almost $500 million to be invested in the centre in the coming nine years.
Finally, he will discuss the opening of the Afghanistan exhibition and the shift towards greater defence industry involvement in the memorial.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team
Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:
Episode 522: PODCAST: Threats, theatre and tariffs in Trump’s world, with the Defence Connect team
Episode 521: CONTESTED GROUND: Regaining the qualitative advantage
Episode 520: CONTESTED GROUND: What’s in store for 2025? Part 2
Episode 519: PODCAST: Boosting women’s involvement in defence industry, with Rachel Falzon, Women in Defence Association
Episode 518: SPOTLIGHT: Delivering a sovereign small arms and load carriage capability, with Aquaterro’s Graeme Bulte
Episode 517: PODCAST: Royal Australian Navy minehunters’ new purpose after service, with Frank van der Linde
Episode 516: CONTESTED GROUND: What’s in store for 2025?
Episode 515: PODCAST: Building a robust, fit for purpose ADF, with Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh MP
Episode 514: CONTESTED GROUND: What Trump’s Panama Canal comments mean for maritime law
Episode 513: SPOTLIGHT: How AIR 6500 will defend Australia’s shores, with Lockheed Martin Australia’s Liam Catterson