A new war memorial was dedicated at a short service in Cooma on a rainy Saturday morning.

The memorial, at Monaghan Hayes Place, was unveiled by Brigadier Brian Robert Dawson AM CSC.

The memorial recognises our country’s involvement in overseas conflicts since 1975.

These include Namibia, Kuwait, Cambodia, the Balkans, Somalia, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Brigadier Dawson, now director general of general affairs for Defence, received a Conspicuous Service Medal during his service in Somalia, so his speech was not only from the heart but also from experience.

Also attending the ceremony was the Member of Eden-Monaro, and Parliamentary secretary for Defence, Mike Kelly who announced approval had been given for striking a new medal for Korean War veterans.

The new memorial was built largely through volunteer labour by members of the Cooma RSL Sub-Branch, with financial assistance from the Federal Government.