VANZ News Issue 7
Aaron Hanley - Advisor Commemorations
Based at the Veterans’ Affairs Hamilton office, Aaron Hanley is VANZ’s Advisor, Commemorations. His role involves assisting in organising commemorative events and reunions, and facilitating veteran attendance at activities such as the national Battle of Crete commemorations, held in Wellington in May 2011. Aaron also administers the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Commemorations Discretionary Fund. The Discretionary Fund provides a one-off grant for eligible veterans who wish to revisit the battlefields on which they fought, with the intention that they may achieve a sense of reconciliation with their experience.
Aaron says he gets a lot of satisfaction from assisting veterans to obtain the grants which allow them (either individually or in groups), to make peace with the past and balance their future. “I like being able to give something back to the veterans. Many carry a long term burden as a result of their Service, so it’s great to be able to proactively help them revisit their battle sites and achieve a sense of closure.” Aaron says.
Aaron says a highlight of his time working at VANZ was accompanying the official NZ Contingent to 2009 ANZAC commemorations at Gallipoli. In previous years he had attended local national services, however to have the opportunity and privilege of attending the Dawn Service at Gallipoli itself with thousands of others proved an unforgettable experience. He said the lack of sleep and cold temperatures on the night of the 24 April gave him a real appreciation of the plight of those who fought there, and put “exhausting” into perspective especially since he was not in fear of losing his life and knew his family could expect him home.