OFFICIAL
THE HON MATT KEOGH MP
Minister for VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL
MEDIA RELEASE
14 January 2025
Honouring theIR SERVICE
Service, bravery, integrity, respect, and excellence. These are the ideals that the Australian Defence Force stands for, and reflect how we honour our current and former serving personnel.
In this spirit, 55 organisations from around the country will share in more than $770,000 funding as part of the first round of the Albanese Government’s 2024-25 Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.
This grant program funds projects that not only pay tribute to those who have served in our ADF, it also educates local communities on the defence of Australia, and our people at war.
Successful grant submissions feature a variety of commemorative activities, from cenotaph and sculpture refurbishments to the production of podcasts and video documentaries.
The Saluting their Service program plays a key role in ensuring that the ongoing service and sacrifices made by Australian service people and their families are recognised and remembered.
The current grant round is open until 5 February 2025, for more information visit the Saluting their Service Grants Program website.
Quotes attributed to Matt Keogh, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs:
I’m always so pleased to see organisations going above and beyond to pay tribute to those who have served from their community.
All over the nation, throughout our history, local communities have played a unique role in war and service, this program brings the realities of that Defence service to the fore.
It was fantastic to visit the William Kibby VC Veterans Shed, in Glenelg North, which will work with a local veteran artist to develop a mural to commemorate local heroes, and educate the community on their history of service.
Quotes attributed to Louise Miller-Frost, Member for Boothby:
Community-led organisations do an amazing job supporting our veteran community. Whether it is direct service provision, social connection, honouring their service or preserving the heritage, this is an important part of our Australian history.
I am very pleased to have the Minister here today to directly speak to veterans and to the organisations and thank them for their work.
MEDIA CONTACT:
DVA Media: media.team@dva.gov.au
The full list of successful applicants are in the table below.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia Inc |
This project is to create freely available online secondary school resources to educate and commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia's service personnel in wars, conflicts, and peace operations. |
$60,000 |
|
Soldier On |
This project is to produce the podcast, "Contemporary Voices of Bravery - The Soldier On Journey of Lived Experience". This will offer a platform for veterans of recent conflicts to share their personal stories through both audio and video format on modern streaming platforms. |
$60,190 |
|
SUB TOTAL |
|
$120,190 |
NEW SOUTH WALES
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
East Gosford Primary School (Department of Education) |
This project is to build a new memorial and garden at East Gosford Primary School that will include QR codes linked to information in the school library. |
$10,000 |
|
Bellingen Shire Council |
This project is to restore the Urunga War Memorial. |
$9,900 |
|
Clyde River & Batemans Bay Historical Society Inc |
This project is to mount an exhibition of the Mogo veterans who served in the First World War in the Batemans Bay Heritage Museum. |
$9,931 |
|
Fighter World Inc |
This project is to commemorate and promote the service of RAAF Williamtown personnel and aircraft since February 1941, through new interactive and static displays, to illustrate the history of fighter operators and military aviation. |
$48,000 |
|
Friends of Mulwaree Museum |
This project is to relocate the RAAF the Second World War Link Trainer A13-33 flight simulator from the Australian Air Force Cadets, Goulburn to the Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum, Goulburn. |
$9,300 |
|
Galston Public School Parents & Citizens Association |
This project is to install three flagpoles at the entrance to Galston Public School. |
$2,000 |
|
Georges River Council |
This project is to undertake conservation treatment and digitisation of the 353 local the First World War Veterans' photographic Honour Roll at the Hurstville Museum & Gallery. |
$9,344 |
|
Menangle Community Association Inc |
This project is to display photos at the art hall in Menangle to commemorate locals who served in the First World War. |
$4,264 |
|
Returned & Services League of Australia Forestville Sub-Branch |
This project is to add two additional plinths and plaques to the Northern Memorial Pathway in Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields, which will commemorate conflicts post the Second World War and peace-keeping missions post 1975. |
$7,557 |
|
The City of Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch |
This project is to install a new cabinet at the Sub Branch to display wartime memorabilia. |
$10,000 |
|
The Concordians Inc |
This project is to record and produce videos of the untold stories of nurses who served in Vietnam including veterans who returned and commenced a nursing career at the Concord Hospital. |
$46,347 |
|
Tomaree Museum Association |
This project is to install the Second World War RAAF uniformed mannequin in a museum cabinet and display video documented stories of local Second World War and Vietnam Veterans. |
$1,540 |
|
Wirreanda Primary School P&C Association |
This project is to install a memorial garden complete with flagpole, plaque, and mural wall at Wirreanda Primary School. |
$7,000 |
|
SUB TOTAL |
|
$175,183 |
NORTHERN TERRITORY
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
Wanderers Football and Sports Club Inc |
This project is to install six flagpoles at the Wanderers Football and Sports Club. |
$2,000 |
|
SUB TOTAL |
|
$2,000 |
QUEENSLAND
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
Anglican Parish of Brisbane |
This project is to create a display cabinet for a Memorial Book containing names of local parishioners who served in the First World War and other conflicts. |
$3,388 |
|
Australian Military Aviation History Association Inc. |
This project is to create a documentary that commemorates the history of Numbers 9 and 12 Squadrons, RAAF, in two 90-minute feature length films which will be freely available. |
$35,640 |
|
Longreach Archival & Historical Research Group Inc |
This project is to create a memorial Poppy Trail to commemorate Australia’s service personnel buried at the Longreach Cemetery. |
$7,335 |
|
Montville Village Association Inc |
This project is to publish a book that details and honours the service of local community veterans from the Second World War. |
$3,487 |
|
National Servicemen's Association of Australia (QLD) Inc |
This project is to add a plaque at the Ricky Creek War Memorial Park for the first Australian Field Hospital in Vietnam. |
$2,111 |
|
Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Cardwell Sub-Branch |
This project is to sandblast and paint a Second World War Bofors Gun for display at RSL Cardwell. |
$4,000 |
|
Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Defence Service Nurses Sub-Branch |
This project is to fund the hire of equipment and production of banners in support of a commemorative dinner to celebrate the 125th anniversary of nursing in the Australian Defence Force. |
$2,180 |
|
Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Emerald Sub-Branch Inc |
This project is to replicate an Honour Board displaying the names of those who served in the First World War from across the region. The original Honour Board was taken down after a fire in late 1960s/early 1970s for safe keeping until repairs to railway station were completed, but in that process, the Honour Board was lost and never recovered. |
$15,400 |
|
Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Harlaxton Sub-Branch |
This project is to install display cabinets for memorabilia and historical items from major campaigns. The project will also include laser cut signage featuring ‘Lest We Forget,’ Australian Defence Force and service-specific signs. |
$4,835 |
|
Royal Historical Society of Queensland Inc |
This project is to conserve military items in the 'Nationally Significant Collection' which include two dead men's pennies, one watercolour painting, one mounted photograph and ten panorama photographs. |
$56,799 |
|
Southern Downs Steam Railway Association Inc |
This project is to restore and enhance the Warwick the First World War Memorial Room, Honour Board, and entry gardens. |
$10,000 |
|
The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) of Brisbane |
This project is to construct a memorial path and peace garden at the YMCA War Memorial Campsite at Camp Warrawee. |
$9,924 |
|
Windera State School |
This project is to install three new flagpoles at Windera State School. |
$2,000 |
|
SUB TOTAL |
|
$157,099 |
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
Returned & Services League of Australia (Burra Sub-Branch) Inc |
This project is to restore the 120-year-old Burra Soldier Memorial plaques and stonework, which is situated in the middle of Burra Historical Market Square. |
$4,560 |
|
Returned & Services League of Australia (Waikerie) Sub-Branch Inc |
This project is to create a podcast documenting South Australian veteran and war widows’ military service experiences featuring a photographic exhibition of veteran life and service. |
$40,400 |
|
The William Kibby VC Veterans Shed Association Inc |
This project is to commission artist Sean Halfpenny to design and paint a mural on the front of the William Kibby VC Veterans Shed at the Glenelg North Community Centre. |
$9,923 |
|
Volunteer Service for the Flinders Medical Centre Inc |
This project is to upgrade the display of heritage medical equipment used in theatres of war at the Repatriation Health Precinct Museum, Daw Park. |
$9,475 |
|
SUB TOTAL |
|
$64,358 |
VICTORIA
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
Anglican Church of St Pauls East Ballarat |
This project is to restore the Honour Board in the Church of St Pauls featuring names of local parishioners who served in the nation’s wars. |
$9,091 |
|
Ararat RSL Sub-Branch |
This project is to repair and upgrade the City of Ararat's War Memorial Cenotaph to include all conflicts post-Vietnam. |
$2,350 |
|
De Wit, Sacha Courtney |
This project is to hold 'The Unknown Widow' exhibit commemorating the First World War service personnel at the Festival of Veteran Arts 2025, in the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum. |
$13,153 |
|
Flemington/Kensington RSL Sub-Branch Patriotic Fund |
This project is to install three flagpoles at Flemington/Kensington RSL. |
$2,000 |
|
Hawthorn RSL Sub-Branch Inc |
This project is to install a flagpole, purchase memorabilia, restore Honour Rolls and foundation stone at Hawthorn RSL Sub-Branch. |
$9,618 |
|
Kerang and District Community Centre Inc |
This project is to display veterans' stories in ‘A Visual Tribute.’ It will feature photos of veterans in their service uniform, with a short story of their experiences. |
$10,000 |
|
Mount Beauty Secondary College |
This project is to install and replace existing flagpoles at Mount Beauty Secondary College. |
$2,000 |
|
Mount Evelyn Primary School |
This project is to purchase and install three flagpoles, create a memorial garden, and install an Honour Board at Mount Evelyn Primary School. |
$10,000 |
|
Mount Macedon Primary School |
This project is to install two flagpoles and landscape the memorial garden around the base of the commemorative space containing native plants, featuring an Indigenous theme at Mount Macedon Primary School. |
$4,802 |
|
Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub-Branch |
This project is to install a wall mural at the Ocean Grove Bowling Club. |
$1,300 |
|
Point Cook Football Club Inc |
This project is to install three flagpoles at the Point Cook Football Club which is the only host venue for commemorative events in the area. |
$2,000 |
|
Port Fairy RSL Sub-Branch |
This project is to repair and restore the Port Fairy 1929 War Memorial. |
$9,800 |
|
St Francis Xavier School |
This project is to install three new flagpoles at St Francis Xavier School. |
$2,000 |
|
The Maritime Trust of Australia Inc |
This project is to install 56 Bathurst corvette histories onto the HMAS Castlemaine Museum Ship website. |
$1,260 |
|
Wodonga RSL Sub-Branch Inc |
This project is to upgrade the Wodonga RSL Cenotaph, Woodland Grove. The cenotaph surfaces will be refurbished in granite, new flagpoles installed to display all three national flags, new seating and a marble sculpture installation featuring the First World War soldier and a modern-day soldier back-to-back at the top of the cenotaph. |
$132,890 |
|
Wodonga South Primary School |
This project is to create a memorial garden and commemorative plaque at Wodonga South Primary School. |
$7,323 |
|
SUB TOTAL |
|
$219,587 |
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
|
Recipient |
Funding description |
Amount $ |
|
Australian Special Air Service Association National Executive |
This project is to produce a two-part Special Air Service Association Journal commemorating the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Special Air Service Regiment. |
$10,000 |
|
Koorana Primary School |
This project is to add three flagpoles, for Australian, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flags, for Koorana Primary School for use in commemorative services. |
$2,000 |
|
Returned & Services League Busselton Sub-Branch |
This project is to add sixteen plaques of local veterans and nurses who gave their lives in service to the nation on the Busselton War Memorial. |
$6,600 |
|
Shire of Wyalkatchem |
This project is to install life-sized silhouettes of soldiers in a pre-aged metal with the laser cut design attached to a structural metal pole cemented in the ground at Pioneer Park, Wyalkatchem. |
$9,500 |
|
The Western Australian 10th Light Horse Organisation Inc |
This project is to preserve the military history of the Western Australian 10th Light Horse regiment through the preservation of uniforms, equipment and provision of educational activities. |
$6,000 |
|
Western Australia Branch of the Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc |
This project is to purchase materials to make commemorative wreaths for commemorative events in regional Western Australia. |
$500 |
|
SUB TOTAL |
|
$34,600 |
|
TOTAL |
|
$773,017 |
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