PM presents Afghan items to war memorial

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has presented the war memorial with a pair of artefacts given to him by soldiers in Afghanistan during his visit.

Following his visit to Afghanistan, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has presented the Australian War Memorial with a pair of artefacts given to him by soldiers in Tarin Kowt.

One is a kangaroo and boomerang emblem that was mounted on the wall of "Poppy's", a recreation area named after Trooper David "Poppy" Pearce who was killed in 2007.

The other is a bell made out of an artillery shell case and which hung outside the Ghan Chapel at the base.

The objects were presented to Mr Abbott and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten when they visited Australian troops in Afghanistan on Monday.

"Our work at Tarin Kowt and Oruzgan province is now passing into history," Mr Abbott said in Canberra on Wednesday.

"It's appropriate that I bring back from our soldiers in Tarin Kowt, from our mission to Oruzgan, these artefacts."

Australian War Memorial director Brendan Nelson said the objects were the first of a number from Tarin Kowt which would become part of its collection.

"Objects such as these are a vital part of ensuring that the memorial continues to uphold its commitment to telling the story of those Australians involved in fighting the war in Afghanistan and rebuilding the country," he said.


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Source: AAP


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