The Australian veteran community will benefit from $296,519 in funding as part of the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service commemorations program, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, announced today. Mr Billson said the funding demonstrated the Government’s commitment to supporting community projects and initiatives that helped recognise the service and sacrifice of Australian veterans.

“The Saluting Their Service program provides an important source of funding for community and ex-service organisations who are committed to preserving Australia’s wartime heritage and remembering our servicemen and women,” Mr Billson said. “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.”

“Thousands of ex-service and community organisations across Australia have benefited from the program. Through their initiative, their fellow Australians are better able to appreciate the role our servicemen and women played in shaping our nation.”

Projects and initiatives supported through the Saluting Their Service grants program include publishing historical accounts of war and conflicts, preserving memorabilia and memorials, and encouraging community participation in commemorative events. “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 American Legion, welcoming Australian ex-servicemen and women, will receive a grant of $3000 for a Victory at Sea concert held on 7 May 2007 at the Kedron Wavell Services Club in Chermside to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea.

· The Beenleigh & District RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help restore a 105 Pack Howitzer gun located at the Beenleigh RSL Memorial Garden.

· Newmarket State School will receive a grant of $3000 to help create a memorial garden at the school to be used by students and teachers on days of remembrance.

· Bethany Christian Care will receive a grant of $1639 to help install a flagpole in the grounds of the Plains Retirement Village located in Eight Miles Plains for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· The Pyramid Residential Care Centre will receive a grant of $1639 to help install a flagpole in the grounds of the centre in Gordonvale for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· Baker’s Military Museum will receive a grant of $3000 to help install a display cabinet in the museum in Childers to preserve a large amount of wartime memorabilia.

· The South East Asia & Korean Veterans Association will receive a grant of $5103 to help refurbish two sandstone commemorative plinths and replace two marble plaques at the entrance to Anzac Park in Southport, dedicated to veterans who served in the First and Second World Wars.

· Giru State Primary School will receive a grant of $1887 to help create a memorial area at the school with a garden, flagpole and plaque to be used by students and teachers on days of remembrance.

· The Gap RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help construct a new War Memorial at The Gap.

· The Vietnam Veterans Social Golf Club, Gold Coast Branch, will receive a grant of $1815 to help install a memorial at the Boomerang Farm Golf Club for use by Vietnam veterans from the Mudgeeraba district on days of commemoration.

· The Macleay Island Ex-Services Association will receive a grant of $4000 to help upgrade the Macleay Island Cenotaph located in Pat’s Park.

· The Sunnybank RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help erect a new war memorial opposite the Sunnybank State High School for use by veterans and the general public on days of commemoration.

· The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia will receive a grant of $4000 to help erect a memorial in the grounds of the Greek Orthodox Church in Brisbane dedicated to all who have died in the service of their country.

· Ex 3RAR 57-59 Reunion 2007 will receive a grant of $3000 to help hold a national reunion in Tweed Heads from 21 to 23 September 2007 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the departure of 3RAR to Malaya for active service.

· No 23 Squadron Association (QLD) RAAF will receive a grant of $1250 for a gala dinner in Brisbane held on 4 May to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the formation of the squadron.

· The 5/7 RAR Association Queensland Branch will receive a grant of $436 to help replace the association’s banner.

· The Coral Sea Battle Commemorative Association will receive a grant of $1880 to help relocate the Diorama of the Battle of the Coral Sea from the Queensland Maritime Museum to the new war memorial at Kissing Point in Townsville.

· St Joseph’s College, Banora Point, will receive a grant of $585 to help install a plaque on the Kingscliffe Walkway dedicated to veterans who served on the Kokoda Track.

· St Joseph’s Primary School, Tweed Heads, will receive a grant of $585 to help install a story plaque on the Kingscliffe Walkway describing the events of the shelling of Sydney Harbour during World War II.

· Regis Group will receive a grant of $2145 to help install a flagpole and commemorative plaque at the Regis Lakeside in Chancellor Park on the Sunshine Coast for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· The A W Potts Kokoda Track Memorial in Kojonup will receive a grant of $5950 to help replace a flagpole at the Kojonup RSL Hall for use on days of remembrance and to help erect three plaques in the rotunda next to the memorial dedicated to the men who served and died on the Kokoda Track.

· The Mandurah Retirement Village will receive a grant of $390 to help install a flagpole in the grounds of the village to be used by residents on days of commemoration.

· St Ives Eldercare will receive a grant of $1639 to help install a flagpole in the grounds of the centre in Myaree to be used by residents on days of commemoration.

· The Brightwater Kingsley Care Group will receive a grant of $1639 to help install a flagpole in the grounds of the group’s aged care facility for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· The RAAF Association WA Division Airfield Construction Squadrons Branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help publish a collection of memoirs and diaries contributed by members of the Airfield Construction Squadrons.

· The 2 AOD RAAOC Vietnam Veterans Reunion Perth 2008 will receive a grant of $2250 to help hold a 40th anniversary reunion in Perth in February 2008 for members of the 2nd Advanced Ordnance Depot.

· The Australian Special Air Service Association will receive a grant of $2160 to help frame a painting depicting the 50 year history of the Special Air Service Regiment and attach a plaque to the frame. The painting will be hung at the Campell Barracks.

· The Upper Swan RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1320 to help install an honour roll in the Baskerville Memorial Hall dedicated to all veterans from the Upper Swan district who served our nation.

· The Shire of Cuballing will receive a grant of $4000 to help upgrade and refurbish the Cuballing War Memorial.

· The Naval Association of Australia, City of Mandurah Sub-section, will receive a grant of $1685 to help install a plinth and plaque at the Mandurah War Memorial dedicated to all mariners who gave their life for Australia and our freedom.

· The City of Bayswater will receive a grant of $4000 to help upgrade the Halliday Park War Memorial.

· The Nashos League of Western Australia will receive a grant of $4000 to help erect a memorial at Bruce Rock dedicated to all National Servicemen who were conscripted between 1951 and 1972.

· The Australian Women’s Army Service (WA) will receive a grant of $1750 to help hold a final and 60th anniversary reunion in Gloucester Park on 6 December 2007 for members of the Australian Women’s Army Service (WA) Association.

· The Perth Diocesan trustees for St George’s Cathedral will receive a grant of $3000 for an exhibition Australian’s on the Western Front 1916-1918 displayed in the Burt Memorial Hall in Perth from 20 April to 3 May 2007.

· The Settlers Lakeside Village Residents Association will receive a grant of $728 to help install a plinth and plaque at the village to be used by residents on days of commemoration.

· The Shire of Kondinin will receive a grant of $3001 to help upgrade the Kondinin War Memorial to improve safety and access for the elderly.

· The Harold Hawthorne Centre, trading as Carlisle Seniors Centre, will receive a grant of $3795 to help install two plaques in the foyer of the Carlisle Memorial Hall dedicated to Korean and Vietnam veterans who were killed in action, and for a luncheon and wreath laying ceremony held on 15 May 2007.

· Honouring Indigenous War Graves will receive a grant of $550 to help purchase a banner which will honour Indigenous veterans who served in all wars and conflicts, to be used on marches and days of remembrance.

· The Bridgetown RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $943 to help establish a portable display of wartime memorabilia in Bridgetown detailing the final resting places of 46 servicemen from the district who served and died during World War I.

· The RSL WA Branch will receive a grant of $2900 to help purchase a display of historical honours and awards post Vietnam as part of the RSL Mobile Military Heritage project, including a display of photos, equipment and stories.

· The Oatlands Ex-Servicemen & Women’s club will receive a grant of $2800 to help replace the rusting flagpole located outside the Oatlands RSL Club for use on days of commemoration.

· The FESR Navy Association of Australia, WA Branch, will receive a grant of $3100 to help install a flagpole in the City of Fremantle War Memorial Park dedicated to all who served in HMA Ships attached to the Far East Strategic Reserve in South East Asia from 1955 to 1971.

· The Osborne Park RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $500 to help host four healthy barbeque lunches at the Osborne Park RSL Hall where students will meet with veterans to view and discuss a display of wartime memorabilia.

· The Army Museum of WA Foundation will receive a grant of $1000 for an Australians on the Western Front exhibition held at the Burt Memorial Hall in Perth on Anzac Day 2007.

· The Veterans of RAN Clearance Diving Team 3 Vietnam will receive a grant of $950 for a final reunion at HMAS Waterhen in Waverton on 23 April 2007 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the deployment of the RAN Clearance Diving Team 3 in Vietnam.

· Edgarley Homes will receive a grant of $3000 to help install three flagpoles in three separate areas in the grounds of the Edgarley Aged Care Village in Casterton, for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· Salisbury House Nursing Home will receive a grant of $1639 to help install a flagpole in the grounds of the nursing home in Upper Beaconsfield for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· The Moe RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3234 to help replace deteriorating flagpoles at Pioneer Park, Thorpdale and Narracan East, for use by the community on days of commemoration.

· Drouin Secondary College will receive a grant of $3200 to help install an honour roll in the foyer of the Drouin Secondary College commemorating all ex-students who served overseas.

· The Yarram RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $540 to help restore the Yarram Club World War I Honour Board.

· The Mirboo North RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2145 to help replace the flagpole at the front of the sub-branch.

· The 1st Upper Beaconsfield Scout Group will receive a grant of $1419 to help purchase a portable flagpole with external lanyards for use by the scout group during commemorative ceremonies.

· The Regis Group will receive a grant of $2145 to help install a flagpole and commemorative plaque at the Regis Karingal Manor in Fawkner for use by residents on days of commemoration; a grant of $2145 to install a flagpole and plaque at the Regis Waverley gardens in North Dandenong; and a grant of $2145 to install a flagpole and plaque at the Regis Shelton Manor in Frankston.

· The Little River Historical Society will receive a grant of $4000 to help install an honour board in the Little River Mechanics Institute Hall dedicated to veterans from the district who served in World War II.

· Leongatha Secondary College will receive a grant of $3000 to help install an honour roll at the college dedicated to 22 former students who lost their lives while serving in World War I and II.

· The Broadford RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help restore and clean the Wallan Community War Memorial.

· The Horsham Rural City Council will receive a grant of $500 to help install a plaque at the Farley Estate Soldier Settlement in Laharum dedicated to soldier settlers.

· The Hilltop Aged Care Home will receive a grant of $1375 to help install a flagpole at the facility in Preston to be used by residents on days of commemoration.

· The Golden Plains Shire Council will receive a grant of $4000 to help erect a new war memorial in Illabarook to commemorate servicemen and women from the district who served in the First and Second World Wars.

· The Casterton & District Historical Society will receive a grant of $2300 to help purchase an exhibition stand to be located in the Casterton Community Museum to display photographs related to all wars and conflicts.

· The Violet Town RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2500 to help construct a display cabinet to house wartime memorabilia owned and held in trust by the sub-branch.

· Macarthur Street Primary School will receive a grant of $2765 to help install display cabinets in the foyer of the Ballarat school to exhibit wartime memorabilia presented to the school by the 2/8th Battalion Association.

· The Balmoral RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help erect a memorial wall with attached plaques and flagpole commemorating all veterans from the Balmoral district who served Australian in times of war.

· The Far East Strategic Reserve Navy Association, Vic & Tas Division, will receive a grant of $3000 to help install a cairn with plaque and seating in Shropshire Park, Ulverstone, dedicated to all veterans who served in the Far East Strategic Reserve.

· The Chatsworth Terrace Aged Care Facility will receive a grant of $1175 to help install a flagpole in the grounds of the facility to be used by residents on days of commemoration.

· The City of Casey will receive a grant of $3000 to help create a memorial garden in Narre Warren North commemorating Soldier Settlers from the district.

· The Birchip RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2125 to help complete the new Birchip War Memorial.

· The Shepparton RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help purchase 30 street banners depicting the Saluting Their Service logo to be displayed along the main road entrances to the Shepparton Business District.

· The Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia, ACT Branch, will receive a grant of $2000 to help install a flagpole in the grounds of the War Memorial garden adjacent to the Veterans’ lounge at the Canberra Hospital for use by patients on days of commemoration.

· The Canberra Survey Corps Association will receive a grant of $1011 to help install a plaque at the Australian War Memorial to commemorate the units of the Survey Corps who served in World War I and II and the Vietnam War.

· The 463/467 RAAF Lancaster Squadrons Association will receive a grant of $1800 for the final national reunion held in Canberra from 19 to 24 March 2007 for members of the 463-467 Lancaster Squadrons.

· The Hobart RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1595 to help replace the deteriorating flagpole located outside the sub-branch.

· The Ulverstone RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $759 to help install a plaque in the North Motton Memorial Park dedicated to all veterans from the district who paid the ultimate sacrifice in World War I.

· The Rosebury RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2980 to help upgrade the Rosebury Cenotaph and its immediate surrounds.

· Emmerton Park will receive a grant of $1639 to help install a flagpole in the grounds of the Emmerton Park Aged Care Facility in Smithton to be used by residents on days of commemoration.

· The Oatslands RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help restore the Jericho World War I Avenue of Honour.

· The Davenport RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help publish a book written by Peter Lyons who will interview some 35 veterans from the Devonport district and record their wartime experiences.

· The Oatlands Ex-Servicemen & Women’s Club will receive a grant of $2800 to help replace the rusting flagpole located outside of the Oatlands RSL Club with a new flagpole to be used by the community on days of commemoration.

· The Kentish Council will receive a grant of $220 to help restore the Railton Cenotaph.

· The Hay Sub-branch of the National Service & Combined Forces Association of Australia will receive a grant of $4000 to help install a National Service War Memorial in the grounds of the Hay War Memorial High School.

· The Narrabri RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $6858 to help restore and upgrade the Narrabri Memorial and World War I and II Field Guns, as well as a grant of $1826 to help provide a shelter and plaque for the Edgeroi Roll of Honour.

· St Joseph’s College will receive a grant of $2000 to help create a memorial garden in the grounds of St Joseph’s College, Banora Point, to be used by students and teachers on days of commemoration.

· The Cootamundra Ex-Servicemen’s & Citizens Memorial Club will receive a grant of $4000 to help restore the Shrine located at the club.

· Bankstown City Council will receive a grant of $4000 to help upgrade the Bankstown War Memorial located in Court House Reserve.

· The Doyalson-Wyee RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $775 to help install a television and DVD recorder in a memorabilia cabinet at the club to be used as an honour board with a rolling list of names of past servicemen and women.

· The South Tweed Sports Club will receive a grant of $1485 to help install a plaque in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Garden at the club dedicated to D Company 6 RAR; and a grant of $750 to help hold a luncheon at the club on 18 August 2007 following the plaque dedication ceremony.

· The Mittagong RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1383 to help install memorial plaques on the Mittagong Clock Tower Memorial as part of the final stage of the memorial upgrade.

· The Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help construct a display cabinet at the sub-branch to showcase wartime memorabilia.

· The Harrington-Crowdy Head RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help install display cabinets in the foyer of the Harrington Community Centre and Library to display wartime memorabilia.

· MacKillop College in Bathurst will receive a grant of $1901 to help publish a commemorative booklet on the history of Australian World War I servicemen who were buried or commemorated at cemeteries or memorials in France and Belgium and to purchase silk floral wreaths for each of the students to place on the graves of their chosen soldier when they visit these countries.

· The Submariners Association will receive a grant of $4000 to help erect a memorial inside the main gate of HMAS Penguin to commemorate the bond between Australian and British servicemen who served in submarines in the fourth and eighth flotillas from Fremantle (1944-45) and later from HMAS Penguin in 1949-69.

· The Dorrigo RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $825 to help install lighting at the Dorrigo War Memorial to ensure safety and help prevent vandalism.

· The Batlow RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3122 to help restore the Batlow War Memorial.

· The Eddystone Nursing Home will receive a grant of $1639 to help install a flagpole in the nursing home grounds in Bexley for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· The National servicemen’s Association Broken Hill Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help erect a National Service War Memorial in Broken Hill dedicated to all National Servicemen from the district who served our nation.

· The 4 RAR (Commando) Museum Foundation will receive a grant of $726 to help install a plaque at the 4 RAR Museum in Holsworthy dedicated to all members of 4 RAR who lost their lives while serving our nation after 1965.

· The Reserve Forces Day Parkes District Council will receive a grant of $4000 to help restore a 77mm German Howitzer gun and display the gun at the front of the new Parkes War Memorial in Cooke Park.

· The Armed Merchant Cruisers & Landing Ships Association will receive a grant of $3960 to help erect a memorial plaque at Garden Island, Sydney, dedicated to the service of HMAS Manoora, HMAS Kanimbla and HMAS Westralia and their crew during World War II.

· The US Army Small Ships Association will receive a grant of $1250 for a final reunion held in Sydney on 15 May 2007, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the formation of the US Army Small Ships Company.

· The Wollongong City Council will receive a grant of $660 to help paint a mural of Simpson and his donkey for display in the Mural Gallery Walkway at the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre.

· The Australian Choreographic Centre will receive a grant of $3000 to help produce Reckless Valour a major youth dance production commemorating those who served.

· The Muswellbrook RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help construct a Vietnam Memorial on the New England Highway near Muswellbrook dedicated to Australian and New Zealand servicemen who were killed or died as a result of action in South Vietnam.

· The Matong Public Hall Trust will receive a grant of $4000 to help restore the Matong Village War Memorial.

· The Walla Walla Development Committee, Greater Hume Shire Council, will receive a grant of $1762 to help install a new honour board in the Soldiers Memorial Hall in Walla Walla dedicated to servicemen and women from the district who served in wars, conflicts and peace operations after World War II.

· The Lake Cargelligo RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help restore the Lake Cargelligo World War II War Memorial located at Liberty Park.

· The Aboriginal Churches Partnership of Redfern & Waterloo will receive a grant of $1500 to help design and manufacture a roll of honour to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in all wars and conflicts; and a grant of $2000 for a commemorative service at St Saviours Anglican Church in Redfern on Anzac Day 2007.

· The Tweed Heads & Coolangatta RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1816 to help develop an Anzac Day Youth Project in conjunction with Tweed Heads and Coolangatta primary schools.

· South Grafton High School will receive a grant of $1000 for a theatrical re-enactment Youth Peace Pledge on 24 April 2007 as part of a tribute to the Anzacs.

· The Blaxland RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help upgrade the Glenbrook War Memorial with the installation of an Anzac-themed mosaic and the relocation of a sandstone plaque for wreath laying ceremonies.

· The Wallaroo Branch of the National Trust of South Australia will receive a grant of $2813 to help establish an exhibition at the Wallaroo Heritage and Nautical Museum depicting the involvement of Wallaroo servicemen and women who enlisted in the Boer War, World War I and II, Korea and the Vietnam War.

· The Longridge Retirement Village will receive a grant of $1639 to help replace a flagpole in the grounds of the village for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· The District Council of Yorke Peninsula will receive a grant of $1060 to help restore the Port Victoria War Memorial and cannon; and a grant of $2189 to help restore the Curramulka War Memorial and cannon.

· The Royal Australian Band Association SA Chapter will receive a grant of $900 to help install a plaque in the Naval Memorial Garden, North Adelaide, dedicated to Australian Navy musicians who lost their lives while serving in Australian ships.

· The Burra RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3980 to help restore the Burra Soldiers War Memorial.

· The Ardrossan Community Hospital will receive a grant of $480 to help install a flagpole in the grounds of the Dinham Wing at the hospital for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· The State Library of South Australia will receive a grant of $3000 to further develop the South Australians at War website.

· The Naval Association of Australia, Elizabeth & Salisbury Sub-section, will receive a grant of $1750 for a reunion held at Elizabeth South on 3 March 2007 to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Perth.

· The Merchant Navy Association SA will receive a grant of $1300 for a local initiative that involved local students who launched a fleet of replica Gallipoli lifeboats on the Port River near Lighthouse Square on 24 April 2007 to commemorate the role of the Merchant Navy in the landings at Gallipoli.