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Dateline - October 18, 2006
Grants achnowledge role of Veterans as part of "Saluting their Service" commemorations program

 

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Bruce Billson, today announced grants totalling $150,612 that will be distributed to community organisations in all states as part of the Australian Government's Saluting Their Service commemorations program. Mr Billson said the funding demonstrated the Government's commitment to supporting community projects that helped highlight the service and sacrifice of Australian veterans. "Saluting Their Service encourages community participation in commemorative activities honouring the service and sacrifice of those who have served Australia in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations," Mr Billson said.

"Thousands of ex-service and community organisations across Australia have benefited from this program. Through their initiative, Australians are able to appreciate the role of our servicemen and women in shaping our nation. While Saluting Their Service grants support projects such as the restoration of community war memorials, displays of wartime memorabilia and commemoration of wartime anniversaries, the Department of Veterans' Affairs has also developed a series of websites to enable the Australian public to learn more about Australia's wartime history - wherever they may be. Our nation is indebted to those courageous Australians who put their lives on the line in the service of Australia, and the Government remains resolute in its commitment to honour them and their place in history," Mr Billson said.

The Saluting their service grants are to be distributed as follows:

 
W.A. $5,163

Three Springs-Arrino RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help publish a wartime history book titled 'Bloody Lucky', which was written by Jack Thorpe OAM who spent three and a half years as a prisoner of war of the Japanese during World War II.

The Jurien Bay Ex-Servicemen's Club will receive a grant of $2163 to help restore the surrounds of the Jurien Bay War Memorial to improve safety for visitors.


QLD $26,713

The Sunderland Branch RAAFA Qld Division will receive a grant of $400 to help celebrate its 65th anniverary reunion.

Nerang Nursing Centre will receive a grant of $2000 to assist in installing a flagpole in the grounds of the nursing centre to be used by residents on days of remembrance.

The Coolum-Peregian RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1656 to assist the Sub-branch to display members' military memorabilia.

Beenleigh State School will receive a grant of $1320 to help construct an Anzac memorial garden in the school.

Bethania Gardens will receive a grant of $2000 to help install a flagpole in its grounds to be used by residents on days of remembrance.

Brookstead Community Hall Inc will receive a grant of $1320 to help install a new honour roll dedicated to those from the district who served in World War I, World War II, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Norville State School will receive a grant of $1868 to help build a memorial garden.

Burpengary Gardens will receive a grant of $1490 to help install a flagpole in the grounds to be used by residents on days of remembrance.

Miami State School will receive a grant of $2000 to help build a memorial garden.

The Australian Women's Army Service Association of Queensland will receive a grant of $777 to help install a plaque at the Rocky Creek War Memorial Park in Atherton.

Hivesville Progress Association will receive a grant of $1250 for a commemorative ceremony at the opening of the Hivesville Memorial Park.

Mr Raymond Bate will receive a grant of $3242 to help publish a history of events of the first section of Military Police to enter South Vietnam in 1965.

The RAAF Association Townsville Branch will receive a grant of $1750 to help hold a reunion in Ipswitch to commemorate the 50th aniversary of the formation of the RAAF Fire and Rescue Service on 14 October 2006.

The HMAS Canberra/HMAS Shropshire Association Gold Coast Division will receive a grant of $1640 to help purchase a 'Battle of Honours' banner to be carried by students from the Southport School at commemorative services, official functions and public ceremonies.

The Darra RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help restore and relocate a 25 pound Field Artillery Gun to the Darra Cementco Bowls Club and install a memorial stone.

TAS $3,976

The George Town RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 from the Australian Government to assist the Sub-branch display members' military memorabilia.

The Ulverstone RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $482 to help replace a faded plaque attached to the Lone Pine tree in Ulverstone's Anzac Park.

The RAAF Association North West Branch will receive a grant of $494 to help refurbish the archway leading into the Air Force Park at Ulverstone.


SA $20,764

The District Council of Loxton/Waikerie will receive a grant of $4000 to help replace rundown street signage at Loxton which commemorates war service of veterans who were resettled in the Loxton Soldier Settlement Scheme.

The Jamestown Community School will receive a grant of $2000 to help construct a memorial area at the school.

The Port Augusta City Council (Men's Shed Port Augusta VVA) will receive a grant of $3660 to help install and dedicate a memorial plaque in the Stirling North Cemetery in memory of three servicemen from the district who died in action in Vietnam. The dedication ceremony will be followed by a luncheon at the RSL Club rooms.

Edithburg RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help purchase a display cabinet to exhibit wartime memorabilia, which will help raise community awareness of Australia's involvement in World War I.

The 2/48th Battalion Returned Soldiers Welfare Fund Inc will receive a grant of $804 to help install a plaque dedicated to the battalion in the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial.

HMAS Bataan Veterans Association South Australian Division will receive a grant of $800 to help hold a final reunion in Glenelg in October 2006.

The City of Tea Tree Gully will receive a grant of $4000 to help build five Local Hero Storyboard Memorials in the City of Tea Tree Gully. These storyboards will be the City's tribute to local men and women who served their country.

The Elizabeth RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2000 to help establish a memorial garden within the grounds of the Elizabeth RSL to be used as a private reflection area.

The Auburn RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $500 to help replace a rusty flagpole at the Auburn War Memorial.

VIC $45,646

The Apollo Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1958 to help restore the Apollo Bay War Memorial.

The Australian Peacekeepers & Peacemakers Association will receive a grant of $3000 to help purchase ten display banners for branches around Australia.

Frankston City Council will receive a grant of $4000 together with the RSL and Frankston Primary School to help restore a World War I Memorial in the primary school grounds and erect a new flagpole.

The Frankston RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help restore the Frankston Avenue of Honour.

Grace Bruce & J L MacMillan Memorial Home will receive a grant of $1600 to go towards installing a flagpole in the grounds of the memorial home for use by veterans and community residents on days of remembrance.

Kalimna House Private Nursing Home will receive a grant of $1265 to go towards installing a flagpole in the grounds of the memorial home for use by veterans and community residents on days of remembrance.

The 3rd Division Signal Association will receive a grant of $694 to help install a plaque dedicated to 3rd Division in the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial.

The Condare Court Uniting Church Homes will receive a grant of $484 to help install a flagpole to be used on days of commemoration.

Amaroo Gardens Aged Care Facility will receive a grant of $2155 to help build a commemorations area.

The Red Cliffs/Irymple RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1529 to help preserve its wartime memorabilia.

Wattle Glen Aged Care Facility will receive a grant of $1500 to install a flagpole and plaque in the grounds of the facility for use on days of commemoration.

The Epping RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help restore a World War II 25 pound Field Gun.

The 1st Kyabram Scout Group will receive a grant of $979 to help restore a World War II Honour Roll which commemorates local scouts.

Tatura & District Historical Society will receive a grant of $3000 to help write a history of the contribution made by servicemen and women from Tatura and the local district to Australia's wartime effort during World War II.

The Nathalia Picola RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2000 to help replace two wooden flagpoles at the Nathalia Picola War Memorial.

Glenelg Shire Council will receive a grant of $4000 to help construct a new war memorial in Narrawong.

The HMAS Manoora Association will receive a grant of $1800 to help replace the memorial plaque dedicated to HMAS Manoora followed by a dedication ceremony and luncheon.

The Australian Water Transport Association Small Ships and Landing Craft (RAE) AIF Victorian Division will receive additional funding of $682 for a plaque dedication ceremony the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance followed by refreshments for 150 attendees.

The Koo Wee Rup RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help construct a memorial at the forecourt of the Koo Wee Rup community complex to commemorate those servicemen and women from the district who have served our nation.

The Ladies Auxiliary 2/8th AA Regiment will receive a grant of $1350 to help install a memorial water fountain in the Puckapunyal Memorial Garden at the Puckapunyal Museum.

The Boort RSL Sub-branch will receive an additional grant of $1000 to complete an honour roll at the RSL Club dedicated to those from the district who served in all wars and peacekeeping forces.

The No 2 Squadron (RAAF) Association received a grant of $450 for an afternoon tea held at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance on 20 September 2006.

The 21 Engineer Support Troop will receive a grant of $1200 towards holding a reunion on 27 October 2006 to commemorate the formation of the Troop.

NSW $48,350

The 2/18th Battalion (AIF) Association will receive a grant of $939 to help install a plaque in the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial.

The Araluen Progress Association will receive a grant of $4000 to help refurbish the Araluen War Memorial.

The Conargo Shire Council will receive a grant of $4000 to help restore the Wanganella Cenotaph.

The 2/101 Australian General Transport Coy will receive a grant of $922 to help install a plaque in the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial.

Trinity Catholic College Lismore will receive a grant of $2000 to help establish an Anzac memorial garden.

Menindee Community Technology Centre will receive a grant of $1785 to help install a roll of honour.

Coolamon RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3465 to help install lighting at the Coolamon War Memorial to improve safety for visitors and security for the memorial.

The 256 Army Cadet Unit of Cootamundra will receive a grant of $3000 to help purchase a wall mounted display cabinet to display Light Horse memorabilia to help raise community awareness of Australia's involvement in World War I.

Forestville RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help upgrade the Forestville Cenotaph and Memorial Walk.

The 2/7th Australian Field Regiment Ex-Members Association will receive a grant of $1564 to help install a plaque in the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial.

The Lidcombe RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1500 to hold a reunion of World War II veterans from the Lidcombe area.

The HMAS Perth National Association will receive a grant of $1400 for a national reunion of HMAS Perth I & Perth II crew members at the commissioning of HMAS Perth III held in Fremantle on 26 August 2006.

The NSAA 2006 Reunion Association will receive a grant of $10,000 to hold a reunion from 18 to 22 October 2006 on the Central Coast of NSW to commemorate the 55th anniversary of National Service in Australia.

The Royal Australian Engineers Deminers Reunion will receive a grant of $850 for a reunion held at the RAE Sergents Mess on 30 September 2006.

The 2/1 & 2/2 Pioneer Battalion Association Northern Rivers Branch will receive a grant of $850 for a wreath laying ceremony and reunion dinner at the Lismore Workers' Club on 14 and 15 October 2006.

The 9th Australian Division Council will receive a grant of $550 to help commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Siege of Tobruk with a luncheon on 20 October 2006.

The Pelican RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help restore and upgrade the Pelican RSL War Memorial.

The 2/30 Battalion AIF Association will receive a grant of $1178 to help install a plaque in the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial.

The Burringbar RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3347 to help replace the old flagpole at the Burringbar War Memorial.