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| Isurava Memorial Foundation | |
|---|---|
| Name | Isurava Memorial Foundation |
| Type | Non-profit organisation |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Peter Vickery |
| Location | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
Isurava Memorial Foundation is an Australian non-profit established to preserve the memory of the Battle of Isurava, commemorate the service of Australian and Papuan personnel during the Pacific War, and promote historical education and reconciliation related to the Kokoda Track campaign. The foundation operates from Canberra and works with veterans, descendants, academic institutions, and public bodies to support memorial activities and educational programs. Its remit includes stewardship of memorials, grant-making, and partnerships with organizations involved in World War II remembrance and military history research.
The foundation was formed in the aftermath of increased public interest in the Kokoda Track campaign following publications and media coverage in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, including works by authors such as Peter FitzSimons, John Birmingham, Paul Ham, Hugh White, and historians like Bill Gammage. Early supporters included veterans from the Second Australian Imperial Force, families of the Papuan Infantry Battalion, and advocacy groups such as the Returned and Services League of Australia and the Australian War Memorial. The founding board included representatives from the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly, the Department of Veterans' Affairs (Australia), and academic partners from the Australian National University and the University of New South Wales. Over its history, the foundation has coordinated commemorations involving diplomatic representatives from Papua New Guinea, delegations linked to the United Kingdom, United States, and Japan, and has collaborated with heritage bodies such as the National Trust of Australia and Canberra Memorials Committee.
The foundation's stated aims align with the commemoration of the Battle of Isurava, support for veterans and descendants of the Kokoda Track campaign, and the promotion of historical research into the Pacific War and related campaigns like the Guadalcanal campaign, Milne Bay, and the Battle of Buna–Gona. Objectives include creating educational resources for schools in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Australian Capital Territory; facilitating oral history projects with institutions like the National Library of Australia and the Australian War Memorial; and fostering links with cultural organisations such as the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and the Smithsonian Institution for exchange and exhibition programs.
The foundation runs memorial services at sites including the Isurava Memorial, supports conservation of battlefield sites along the Kokoda Track, and provides grants for academic research at universities such as the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Griffith University, and the University of Sydney. It organises public lectures featuring historians like Allan Bird, Peter Stanley, Frank Bongiorno, and former military personnel linked to the 2/14th Battalion (Australia). Educational outreach includes school programs aligned with syllabuses from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, teacher professional development with the Australian Historical Association, and digital resources co-developed with the National Museum of Australia and the Trove platform. The foundation publishes commemorative materials and oral history collections in partnership with publishers such as Allen & Unwin and Oxford University Press and supports projects with archives like the State Library of New South Wales and the State Library of Victoria.
Funding and partnerships have involved government agencies including the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian National Veterans’ Advocacy Council, and the Australian Department of Defence for logistics and ceremonial support. Philanthropic partners and corporate sponsors have included foundations such as the Myer Foundation, the Ian Potter Foundation, and companies active in the region like Qantas, ANZ, and BHP. International cooperation has been sought with the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery, the Japan–Australia relations network, and veterans’ organisations such as the Royal British Legion and the American Battle Monuments Commission. The foundation also secures project-based grants from bodies like the Australia Council for the Arts and research funding agencies including the Australian Research Council.
Governance is exercised by a board composed of veterans, historians, community leaders, and legal and financial professionals drawn from institutions such as the Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and academia. Past patrons and advisers have included figures associated with the Governor-General of Australia office, senior officials from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (Australia), and noted scholars from the Australian National University and the University of Queensland. Leadership roles have been held by individuals with backgrounds in veteran advocacy groups like the Legacy Australia organisation and civic organisations such as the Australian War Graves Photographic Project.
The foundation maintains a role in the upkeep and interpretation of the Isurava Memorial on the Kokoda Track and supports commemorative ceremonies on key anniversaries of the Battle of Isurava, the Kokoda campaign, and related events such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day. It liaises with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and local Oro Province authorities for on-site activities, and works with heritage conservation bodies including the Australian Heritage Council and ICOMOS Australia to protect cultural landscapes. The foundation has overseen memorial plaques, educational signage, and has facilitated cultural exchanges involving the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway in Canberra and exhibitions at the Australian War Memorial.
The foundation's work has been recognised by awards and acknowledgements from organisations such as the Australian Honours System, civic recognitions from the Canberra City Council, and heritage listings supported by the National Trust of Australia. Its research grants and educational programs have contributed to scholarship published in journals like the Journal of Military History, the Australian Historical Studies, and collections from the Melbourne University Publishing and Sydney University Press. The foundation’s commemorative events have attracted participation from delegations representing the Prime Minister of Australia, veterans from the 2/14th Battalion (Australia), community groups from Papua New Guinea, and international guests from the United Kingdom and the United States, reinforcing transnational memory of the Pacific War.