‘Postcards of Honour’ Teaching Resources

‘Postcards of Honour’ is a creative learning activity for primary and high school students, coordinated by RSL NSW sub-Branches to educate young Australians about the importance of the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) commemoration.

The inaugural MEAO commemoration will take place on 11 July 2024 to honour those Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who served in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021. The commemoration marks the date the Government announced there were no more troops in Afghanistan, bringing Australia’s longest military engagement to an end.

Throughout Australia’s military history, postcards and letters have offered vital support to those on active duty. ‘Postcards of Honour’ invites students to learn about the importance of the MEAO commemoration and write and decorate a postcard to show a past/present service person that they support them and appreciate their service.

What’s included

Participating schools will receive the following to help students create their own postcard:

A visit from a veteran: A local RSL sub-Branch representative will speak to students (between 20 May – 7 June) about the MEAO commemoration. Once the postcards are completed, the veteran will return for a postcard ‘show and tell’ (between 1-5 July).

A ‘Postcards of Honour’ pack, containing:

Information/instruction booklets (each with sketchpad section)
Blank postcards (with space to draw on the front and write on the back)

We recommend giving students one blank postcard and booklet each.

For privacy reasons:

No recipient address is provided, but each postcard will be given by RSL NSW to a veteran in the community.
Sender details can be limited to first name and age.

How to prepare

This activity is designed to be flexible and encourage students’ artistic and writing skills. You’re free to adapt the activity for your students’ age/s and required learning outcomes.

PART 1: ART

Encourage your students to get creative! Use whatever style or materials you prefer – paint, crayons, coloured pencils, or collage.

Students can draw/create whatever they like, but we’ve included some idea prompts in the activity booklet provided.

PART 2: WRITING

This part of the activity allows students to practise their handwriting or compose a letter. Suggestions for students:

Write a short note such as ‘I honour the service that you have given’.
Tell the veteran about themselves.
Share personal or family stories about military service.
Reflect on what the MEAO commemoration means to them.

Extra teaching resources

MEAO COMMEMORATION

Between 2001 and 2021, Australian military personnel and civilian staff from various agencies served on Middle East operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On 11 July 2021, the Minister for Defence confirmed all Australian Defence Force personnel had departed Afghanistan, bringing our nation’s longest war to a close.

Tragically, 41 Australian lives were lost in Afghanistan and two lives were lost in Iraq, while many veterans returned with lasting physical and mental trauma. This year, RSL NSW has established 11 July 2024 as the inaugural MEAO Commemorative Day.

The commemoration allows the Australian community to reflect on and recognise the service and sacrifice of our Defence personnel and their families, including those who served in or supported operations in the MEAO.

Additional information and veteran stories:

The meaning of service

AUSTRALIA’S DEFENCE FORCE

Australia’s Defence Force (Army, Navy and Air Force) are made up of many different people with many different jobs.

They help each other to keep Australia, and other countries, safe.

Along with soldiers and pilots, there are doctors, mechanics, builders and many more.

Someone who works (‘serves’) in the Defence Force is called a ‘service person’.

A ‘veteran’ is someone who is, or used to be, a service person.

The significance of postcards

Letters and postcards have been important to service people throughout history. Why?

The only way to communicate:

For much of history, letters and postcards were the only way for people on military duty to stay in touch with family and friends.
Many service people served a long way from home, away from big cities.
This meant it took a long time for mail to be delivered. It sometimes took weeks, months or longer to hear from a loved one or find out if they were still alive.
Today’s service people can usually access their mobile phone and/or internet when not on duty. But they may spend long periods without a signal.

Messages of support:

For service people far from home, often facing the fear and danger of war, a letter or postcard from home could provide much needed comfort and support.
Letters were so important that if paper wasn’t available, soldiers would build postcards out of things they could find – even bullets and biscuits!
Even today, Australia Post delivers care packages from the public to our military overseas.

‘Postcards of Honour’ Teaching Resources

What’s included

How to prepare

Share your photos

Digital resources

Extra teaching resources

The meaning of service

The significance of postcards

Inaugural MEAO Commemoration