Community groups and organisations in Ballarat, Bendigo and Corangamite will be better equipped to remember the service and sacrifice of our current and former Australian Defence Force personnel thanks to the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson congratulated the successful organisations which will receive funding for projects commemorating our wartime history.
“Ballarat, Bendigo and Corangamite residents will join communities across Australia in benefiting from a funding boost to help commemorate the role that Australian service men and women have played in shaping the nation,” Senator Henderson said.
The following organisations in Ballarat, Bendigo and Corangamite were successful in receiving funding under the Saluting Their Service Program:
Ballarat
- Ballarat RSL Sub-Branch Inc: $10,000 to develop a virtual Second World War honour board in the form of a website.
- Discharged LGBTI Veterans Association: $9,600 to assist with costs associated with holding the ‘Serving in Silence’ exhibition at the Daylesford RSL Hall.
Bendigo
- Barkers Creek Cricket Club Inc: $8,800 for a display of photographs and a replica honour board at the Barkers Creek Community Hall, particularly of cricketers that served in the First World War.
- Bendigo District RSL Sub‑Branch Inc: $10,000 to restore the Bendigo roll of honour located at the Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute.
- Pipe Bands Australia Inc: $2,000 to produce new music to be played by pipe bands across Australia on the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific.
- Sandhurst Football Club: $1,810 to install two flagpoles at Ewing Park, Sandhurst.
Corangamite
- Portarlington and St Leonards RSL Sub-Branch Inc: $2,500 to frame a display of Australian decorations and medals at Portarlington RSL.
- Waurn Ponds Memorial Residential Committee of Management Incorporated: $9,813 to enable enhancements to the Waurn Ponds Memorial Reserve Precinct.
“These projects and activities such will ensure that the service history is captured and preserved in our local community.
“Thank you to all the community organisations who work tirelessly to ensure that our service personnel get the recognition that they deserve and thank you to all Australian service personnel for your service and sacrifice.”
More than $2.2 million in funding was provided through this round of the Saluting Their Service commemorative grants program. The Federal Government’s election commitment saw an increase in the Community Grants cap from $4,000 to $10,000 and this batch of successful applicants will be the first to benefit from this.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the projects and activities will play an important role in educating future generations about the service and sacrifice of Australian service men and women, especially as the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War on 15 August approaches.
“Australian service men and women in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations for over a century have played a role in shaping the nation. These commemorations, projects and activities ensure their story is captured for generations to come,” Mr Chester said.
“These grants will help community groups and organisations continue their important work in commemorating our service personnel and support those projects and activities which promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service.”
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) recognises the potential impact COVID-19 may have on recipients completing their projects, with social distancing and other public health measures in place across the country. DVA is committed to working with recipients who are affected on options to continue their projects. If you are a current grant recipient and COVID-19 has impacted your project, please contact your Funding Arrangement Manager to discuss options.
A list of all successful applicants can be found below. For more information on the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program visit the Community Grants Hub (www.communitygrants.gov.au). Applications for the next round of grants are open now.
10 June 2020