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to their special memorial.'  ('Una Voce', 4 December 1999)

Similarly, the focus group discussions reinforced the value of all of the memorials, while recognising that particular memorials have specific significance to those who are closely connected with what it memorialises.

Anzac Parade as a symbol of a sovereign state

War memorials are a statement about the 'authorising power of the state' to dedicate the lives of its citizens to a conflict where it is likely many will be lost (Inglis 2005, p. 471).  In Canberra, the notion of the state is profoundly apparent through the placement of the Australian War Memorial and Anzac Parade on the Land Axis with Parliament House at the other end.

For those service community participants, Anzac Parade is seen as conveying the power of the state over its citizens.  The placement of the Australian War Memorial at one end of the axis and Parliament House at the other.  This was expressed somewhat cynically by some, and more positively by others,

    'That the politicians can go out their front door and be reminded of what they have done...'  (Focus Group 1)

    'Symbol of democracy... the symbol of the price of democracy…'  (Focus Group 2)

    'The symbolism is important – Parliament House at one end and the AWM at the other with a parade – it's a great avenue – that commemorates what Australians have done in conflicts to preserve our independence and peace – and what Australian governments have done… a good world citizen in stepping forward and dedicating Australians to help – also the Defence forces – the qualities of leadership, resourcefulness and confidence.'  (Ian Crawford, personal communication, 11 October 2011)

Sovereign states have the capacity to enter into relationships with other sovereign states, and this is expressed in Anzac Parade in the Hellenic, Ataturk, New Zealand and Korean memorials.  With the first three, the placement of the memorial embodies aspects of the relationship, whereas with the Korean memorial the South Korean Government supports commemorative events there and offers a variety of support to servicemen who served in the Korean War.

The New Zealand Memorial for example, is designed to,

    'honour the strong bonds between Australia and New Zealand, forged first during colonial times, most famously at Gallipoli, and renewed on many occasions since'  (New Zealand Memorial Dedication, 2000)

Symbolically, the ground of the memorial is part of New Zealand because it is 'tapu' (sacred) based on the ceremonies undertaken by Maori at the dedication of the memorial, creating for New Zealanders a 'place to remember your country, not just remember a conflict' (Hedgley, personal communication, 13 October 2011).

From an Australian perspective, Professor Gammage suggests that the New Zealand Memorial can be seen as