The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Bruce Billson, today announced a series of grants to various Shires, Organizations, Associations and units throughout Australia 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 peace operations," Mr Billson said.

Western Australia
~ The Shire of Morawa will use the $3570 grant to help restore the Morawa War Memorial.

Victoria
~ The Catalina Club of Victoria will receive a grant of $2196 for the national reunion it held on 2 September 2006 at Parliament House in Melbourne for crew members of all Catalina flying boats and seaplanes.

~ No 2 Squadron RAAF Association will receive a grant of $459 to install a plaque at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance dedicated to all Squadron members who died while serving.

~ The National Servicemen's Association of Australia Wimmera Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1000 to help erect a memorial in Memorial Drive Horsham, dedicated to National Servicemen and Citizen Military Forces members from the Wimmera district who served our nation.

Queensland
~ The 7th Battalion RAR Association QLD will receive a grant of $4038 to help install two plaques followed by a morning tea at the Australian War Memorial dedicated to the 7th Battalion the Royal Australian Regiment and the 7th Infantry AIF.

~ The Miles State High School will receive a grant of $1803 to construct a commemorative wall behind the school's Cenotaph to honour former students who have served the nation.

Tasmania
~ The Cornwall Community Development Group will receive a grant of $4000 to help replace 24 trees in the World War I Soldiers Avenue of Honour in Cornwall and to also install commemorative plaques at the base of the trees.

New South Wales
~ Grants totalling $22,694 will be distributed to community organisations in New South Wales

"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.