A ceremony to pay tribute to the participation of the Royal Australian Navy 16^th. Minesweeper Squadron during the Indonesian Confrontation was held in Canberra at the AWM on 31^st. March 2006 with the unveiling of a plaque. The plaque will be sited in the Western Courtyard in the West Garden of Remembrance which most people walk through when moving from the AWM car park to the front entrance.

About 200 veterans from the Minesweepers with wives and guests, including several veterans from New Zealand attended this sombre ceremony where a message was read out from the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard. This is the first time in memory that an Australian Prime Minister has acknowledged the participation of the RAN Minesweepers during the Indonesian Confrontation.

Prime Minister’s Message

Unfortunately some of the Veterans present took offence at the Prime Minister’s reference and comparison of the undeclared war between Indonesia and Malaysia supported by Commonwealth Forces from Britain, Australia and New Zealand with a peace keeping mission in the Solomon Islands. During the Indonesian Confrontation over 500 members of the Commonwealth Forces were killed, including 23 members from Australian Forces.

The Plaque