OFFICIAL
THE HON MATT KEOGH MP
Minister for VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL
MEDIA RELEASE
16 SEPTEMBER 2023
Saluting the service of local VETERANS
“Lest we forget” are the words we say as a nation to remember the sacrifice of those who have served in our nation’s uniform.
Local war memorials, historical sites and museums are the physical embodiment of making sure Australians all over don’t forget.
These local monuments are sacred places that preserve our military history, our national story, stories of those who have served in decades past, a place to pay our respects.
Thanks to the Australian Government’s Saluting their Service program, 68 community organisations across the country will share in more than $750,000 in funding to honour Australia’s veterans through locally delivered projects and activities.
The Saluting their Service program supports communities recognise those who have served our nation in war, conflict and peacekeeping operations, while preserving our military history.
To find out more, or apply for a grant, visit https://www.dva.gov.au/about/overview/consultations-and-grants/grants-and-bursaries/saluting-their-service-sts-commemorative-grants-program
MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Mathews (Minister Keogh’s Office): 0407 034 485
DVA Media: media.team@dva.gov.au
Media Note: Minister Keogh made this announcement today alongside Kate Chaney, Member for Curtin. Minister Keogh and the Member for Curtin had the opportunity to visit The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Society of WA’s Leighton Battery Site. Information on their expansion project is attached. Photos available on request.
Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program 2023‑24, Round 1
NEW SOUTH WALES
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
Colo Vale Community Association Incorporated |
Install commemorative bricks and outdoor speakers. |
$128 |
|
Community Aquatics Pty Ltd |
Install memorial picnic tables and umbrellas at Community Aquatics facilities. |
$10,000 |
|
Eugowra Promotion and Progress Association Incorporated |
Restoration and replacement of a war display showcase, mannequins and stationary. |
$4,796 |
|
George Cross Falcons Club Incorporated |
Install an eternal flame at the Maltese ANZACS First World War Honour Roll. |
$3,000 |
|
Gwydir Shire Council |
Purchase lockable display cabinets for donated military memorabilia. |
$8,887 |
|
Headquarters 1st Australian Task Force Association |
Upgrade of the Headquarters 1st Australian Task Force Association’s website. |
$2,000 |
|
Iluka History Group Incorporated |
Install a brass plaque at the Iluka Soldiers Memorial Hall to celebrate their centenary. |
$805 |
|
Manildra Preschool Early Learning Centre Inc. |
Install flagpole and garden at Manildra Preschool. |
$2,000 |
|
Mediality Pty Ltd |
Publish a 110 Australian War Stories eBook Collection. |
$71,700 |
|
Medowie Christian School Limited |
Install a new flagpole and memorial garden at Medowie Christian School. |
$2,445 |
|
NSW Government Schools |
Install a new flagpole on the site of Corrimal East Public School. |
$2,000 |
|
Rous Mill and District Memorial Hall Inc. |
Restore an Honour Board at the Rous Mill & District Memorial Hall. |
$10,000 |
|
The City of Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch |
Install new flagpole at City of Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch. |
$2,000 |
|
Install plaque at Christ Church Cathedral in Newcastle |
$2,500 |
|
|
Vietnam Veterans' Peacekeepers' and Peacemakers' Association of Australia Central Coast |
Host a commemorative service to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. |
$3,740 |
|
Wingecarribee Shire Council |
Launch an exhibition acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the end of Vietnam War. |
$10,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$136,001 |
|
NORTHERN TERRITORY
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
Royal Victoria Regiment Association Inc. |
Replace vandalised plaque commemorating the 5th Australian Infantry Battalion |
$3,250 |
|
The Royal Australian Artillery Association (Northern Territory) Inc. |
Restore M3 Grant Medium Tank at the Darwin Military Museum |
$10,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$13,250 |
|
QUEENSLAND
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
Beenleigh and District Sub-Section Naval Association of Australia Queensland Section |
Restore Naval artefacts outside Beenleigh RSL. |
$7,000 |
|
Cairns RSL Sub Branch (Queensland Branch) Inc. |
Create a documentary on the Vietnam War featuring Cairns and North Queensland. |
$29,500 |
|
Centenary Suburbs RSL (Queensland Branch) Sub Branch |
Host an event to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. |
$1,050 |
|
Guardian Angels School Parents and Friends Association |
Install lighting at Guardian Angel School Memorial space in Wynnum. |
$10,000 |
|
Gympie South State School |
Renovation and improvement of the memorial at the Gympie South State School. |
$8,345 |
|
Macleay Island RSL Sub Branch (Queensland Branch) |
Install plaque with information about Lone Pine at Macleay Island School. |
$2,640 |
|
National Servicemen’s Association of Australia (Queensland) Inc. |
Install and dedicate a park in the grounds of the Bribie Island RSL. |
$10,000 |
|
No. 37 Squadron (RAAF) Association |
Publish A4 coffee table book commemorating RAAF C-130 Hercules history. |
$4,400 |
|
Warwick RSL Sub-Branch (Queensland Branch) Incorporated |
Restore and refurbish the war memorial precinct in Warwick, QLD. |
$10,000 |
|
Yeppoon RSL Sub-Branch (Queensland Branch) Incorporated |
Host a dinner to commemorate 50th Anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. |
$3,440 |
|
TOTAL |
$86,375 |
|
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
Corporation of the City of Port Augusta |
Restore and replace commemorative plinths |
$10,000 |
|
Cowell RSL Sub Branch Incorporated |
Construct a memorial walking trail in Cowell, SA. |
$10,000 |
|
Dutton Park Incorporated |
Restore the Soldiers Memorial Gardens, Kapunda, South Australia |
$10,000 |
|
Echunga RSL Sub-Branch |
Replace pergola covering Echunga RSL Memorial Walkway and commemorative plinths |
$9,860 |
|
Hope Forest Residents Association Incorporated |
Install a new memorial in Hope Forest, SA |
$1,000 |
|
Keith and District Hospital Incorporated |
Install three flagpoles at the Keith and District Hospital |
$2,000 |
|
Military Vehicle Preservation Society of South Australia Incorporated |
Install a gun from the ship Protector (1884) at the National Military Vehicle Museum |
$6,000 |
|
Port Pirie RSL Sub Branch Incorporated |
Install memorial signage and storyboards in Port Pirie, South Australia |
$3,510 |
|
Robe RSL Sub Branch |
Install two commemorative bench seats in Robe, South Australia |
$10,000 |
|
RSL Care South Australia Incorporated |
Install display cabinets at the Romani aged care facility in Murray Bridge |
$10,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$72,370 |
|
TASMANIA
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade |
Restore QF 25 pounder gun on the Cambridge Memorial, Tasmania. |
$8,360 |
|
Department for Education, Children and Young People |
Install two flagpoles at Riana Primary School. |
$1,425 |
|
South Arm RSL Sub Branch Inc. |
Install two new memorials in South Arm Memorial Park, TAS. |
$10,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$19,785 |
|
VICTORIA
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
3rd Cavalry Regiment (Vietnam) Association Inc. |
Construct a new Cenotaph on the Tongala Avenue of Honour in Victoria. |
$10,000 |
|
Bolinda Primary School |
Install two flagpoles at Bolinda Primary School. |
$2,000 |
|
Campbells Creek Primary School |
Install three new flagpoles at the front of the school’s Guildford Campus. |
$2,000 |
|
Dandenong Ranges RSL Sub-Branch Inc. |
Install flagpoles at Dandenong Ranges RSL, Victoria. |
$2,000 |
|
Deakin University |
Publish digital oral histories of Korean War service. |
$32,321 |
|
Fort Queenscliff Museum Inc. |
Restore the Boer War Roll of Honour board at the Fort Queenscliff Museum, Victoria. |
$4,400 |
|
Greater Shepparton City Council |
Restore Honour Boards from the Tallygaroopna Memorial Hall, Victoria. |
$3,300 |
|
Lal Lal Catchment Landcare Group |
Establish a Vietnam Memorial Garden in the Lal Lal Anzac Memorial Park, Victoria |
$3,987 |
|
Lilydale RSL Sub-Branch Inc. |
Publish stories entitled ‘From Korea to Kuwait. The Shire of Lilydale's Wartime Service’ |
$10,000 |
|
Loch Primary School |
Install three flagpoles at Loch Primary School. |
$2,000 |
|
Longford Primary School |
Install three flagpoles at Longford Primary School, Victoria. |
$2,000 |
|
Mallacoota and District Historical Society Inc. |
Restore the exterior of the Mallacoota Bunker Museum. |
$10,000 |
|
Seymour RSL Sub-Branch Inc. |
Install a medals display board at the Seymour RSL hall. |
$4,000 |
|
Shepparton RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated |
Restoration and upgrade of the Shepparton and District War Memorial. |
$10,000 |
|
The Scout Association of Australia Victorian Branch |
Install plaques on Scout Group seats commemorating the Bombing of Darwin. |
$9,748 |
|
Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Victorian Branch |
Publish stories of former classmates of Royal Military College Class of 1963. |
$7,500 |
|
Westernport Oberon Association Incorporated |
Install display depicting the Fleet Air Arm at the Victorian Maritime Centre. |
$8,810 |
|
Willow Grove Primary School |
Install flagpoles and undertake landscaping works. |
$2,000 |
|
Woodend RSL Sub-branch Inc. |
Woodend RSL Sub-branch Inc. |
$2,000 |
|
Yarra Hills Secondary College |
Install new flagpoles at both campuses of Yarra Hills Secondary College. |
$2,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$130,066 |
|
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
Campbell Primary School |
Install nurse artwork in the ANZAC Memorial Garden |
$478 |
|
Greek Australian RSL Incorporated |
Construct a Battle of Crete memorial in Perth. |
$150,000 |
|
N Class Destroyers Association Western Australia Branch |
Install a flagpole at the HMAS Nizam Memorial Cairn and Wall. |
$2,000 |
|
Shire of Dardanup |
Create short videos of local wartime memories in Dardanup, Western Australia |
$5,675 |
|
St Anthony's Greenmount School |
Install flagpoles and aboriginal totem poles |
$7,000 |
|
The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation Incorporated |
Install memorial plaques for nine Indigenous First World War soldiers at Kings Park Honours Avenue |
$5,000 |
|
The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Society of WA Inc. |
Develop and expand the Leighton Battery heritage site in Perth. |
$125,520 |
|
Western Australia Branch of the Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc. |
Purchase materials to make 10 wreaths for commemorative services |
$500 |
|
TOTAL |
$296,173 |
|