The War Memorial's Oculus and first exhibit

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00:00We've placed the very first object as part of the redevelopment on display and that is the

00:04medal group and photographs of Uncle Reg Saunders. He was the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait

00:10Islander member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial. He's a distinguished Australian

00:15soldier. He served in the Second World War and in the Korean War. He was also one of our very first

00:21commissioned Aboriginal officers into the Australian Army in 1944. The process for Uncle

00:29Reg's medal being put on display has been a very close engagement with his family. We have had

00:36photographs added to the display from the National Collection as well as a photograph

00:41from his daughters which we've added as well. The family assisted us as well with making sure all

00:47of the text that we added was all correct and in accordance with their local law. As a curator

00:55and custodian of objects here at the Australian War Memorial, I am extremely proud personally

01:02and also professionally in having Uncle Reg's medals and photos be the very first object

01:08to go on display as part of our massive redevelopment. For me coming in here it's a

01:14point of pride and also having it be a very prominent position to help ensure that his

01:20legacy and story is shared among our over 1 million visitors that we expect to have free every year.