Calling Australian War Brides & Families 

Special ANZAC Day Event in Washington DC

Concurrently with the news that the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 has finally been passed by Parliament in Canberra, giving (among others) thousands of Australian-born War Brides in the US and their children the right to apply for Australian citizenship from 1 July 2007, the Embassy of Australia in Washington DC is planning a special focus on Australian War Brides as part of its commemorations for ANZAC Day in 2007.

This will be an important opportunity for the Australian Embassy to recognise the many War Brides in the United States and to pay tribute to them as a unique group on this national day of commemoration.

If you, your mother, or grandmother is an Australian World War II War Bride, the Embassy would like you to join them in Washington DC on 25 April 2007.

Functions will include a Dawn Service at the Korean War Memorial, a "Gunfire" breakfast, and a service at the National Cathedral. Australia's Ambassador to the United States, Dennis Richardson, will also host a reception for War Brides and their families.

To register, and for assistance with hotel rates and bookings in Washington DC, e-mail Sarah Gillespie at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC at Sarah.Gillespie@defence.gov.au, or you can call Sarah on +1 202 797 3302.

The Southern Cross Group's volunteer war bride coordinator, Ken Lankard, himself the son of an Australian war bride, will be attending the DC ANZAC Day events. At least 55 Australian war brides, most in their 80s, have already made plans to attend from around the United States, along with over 160 close family members.

If you have questions as to how the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 might benefit you and your family, e-mail the Southern Cross Group at:  info@southern-cross-group.org