Projects honouring Australia’s wartime heritage received a financial boost today with the announcement of $379,487 in funding approved by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin. Mr Griffin said the funding for 152 projects is part of the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative grants program to help communities across the nation honour and commemorate our wartime history.

“The grants will fund local activities and initiatives that recognise the service and sacrifice of Australians who have served in wars, conflicts and peace operations,” Mr Griffin said. “Today, the Government is announcing funding for a range of projects including restoring and displaying wartime memorabilia, upgrading community war memorials, purchasing association banners and holding commemorative events."

“In particular, helping regional and rural communities across Australia maintain their places of remembrance is an important function of this grants program as these memorials play a central role in honouring local sons and daughters who have served the nation. Commemorative activities in local communities play a major role in encouraging Australians – especially younger Australians – to learn about our wartime experiences and provide an opportunity for veterans to share their stories. Australia has a proud wartime history that has been part of the lives of so many Australian families. The Government remains committed to honouring those who have served and continue to serve, ensuring their legacy is remembered for generations to come.”

Mr Griffin encouraged local community and ex-service organisations interested in applying for funding to visit www.dva.gov.au or contact their nearest DVA office on 133 254 (for metropolitan callers) or 1800 555 254 (for non-metropolitan callers).

Saluting Their Service grants Tasmania Recipients — $8387

· The Tasmanian Branch of the National Malaya & Borneo Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive $1228 to help purchase four Association banners for use on commemorative occasions.

· The Burnie and Districts Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive $4000 to help install a Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Anzac Park, Somerset, dedicated to local veterans who served in the Vietnam War.

· The Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women will receive $700 to help restore a ceremonial lifebuoy for display with other wartime memorabilia in the foyer of their premises in Newtown.

· The Launceston Branch of the Royal Australian Air Force Association will receive $2459 to help install a memorial at Launceston Airport commemorating the service of RAAF personnel in the Second World War; purchase a display cabinet to exhibit RAAF wartime memorabilia at the Evandale Historical Society; and produce a DVD featuring the history of the No 7 Elementary Flying Training School.

Saluting Their Service grants Western Australia Recipients — $11,107

· Rockingham RSL Sub-branch will receive $1500 to hold an event for members of the local veteran community, including a march through the city, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba.

· The Leeman Progress & Ratepayers’ Association will receive $4000 to help erect a gazebo at the Leeman War Memorial to provide shelter on commemorative occasions and a quiet place of reflection for visitors.

· Dawesville RSL Sub-branch will receive $2397 to help install three display cabinets at the Sub-branch to house a significant collection of wartime memorabilia.

· The City of Belmont will receive $1890 to help upgrade the Belmont Community War Memorial to include East Timor, United Nations peace operations, Iraq and Afghanistan and purchase a flagpole to fly the Australian Flag at the memorial.

· Geraldton City RSL Sub-branch will receive $1320 to help install a plaque on the memorial wall at the RSL Memorial Park in Geraldton dedicated to Korean veterans.

Saluting Their Service grants Victoria Recipients — $91,920

· Healesville RSL Sub-branch will receive $1500 to help restore four war memorials damaged in the recent Victorian bushfires in the towns of Eildon, Yea, Kinglake and Marysville.

· Mount Clear College will receive $3000 to help produce two large photographic montages commemorating the service and sacrifice of local servicemen and women to be installed in the college.

· The Box Hill Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive two grants: $1950 to help hold a reunion dinner in August for members and guests to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba; and $1050 to help cover the cost of a reunion dinner in March for members and guests to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Hat Dich.

· The Sunshine RSL Sub-branch on behalf of the Commemoration Park Memorial Committee Community Group will receive $4000 to help restore and replace Second World War plaques from the Yarraville Avenue of Honour and relocate them to the Battle for Australia War Memorial in Spotswood.

· The Springvale Remembrance and Community Vegetable Garden Committee will receive $3938 to help install a memorial in the new Remembrance Garden at the Springvale Veterans’ Support Centre dedicated to the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who fought to defend Australia. The garden will offer visitors a place of reflection on days of commemoration.

· The Springvale Veterans’ Support Centre will receive $935 to help install a flagpole to fly the Australian Flag on days of commemoration.

· The 4/19 Prince of Wales’ Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room will receive $2853 to help develop a display depicting the Regiment’s service in Vietnam.

· The 2/4th Field Regiment Association will receive $400 to help install a plaque in the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial dedicated to the Regiment.

· The 2/1 Australian Machine Gun Battalion Association will receive $1215 to help install a plaque dedicated to the Battalion in the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial.

· Footscray City College will receive $3000 to help Year 9 students write and produce a book featuring the stories of peacekeeper veterans.

· The Williamstown Historical Society will receive $4000 to help restore the deteriorated Trafalgar Lodge First World War Honour Roll located at the Williamstown Mechanics Institute.

· The Royal Australian Navy Corvettes Association of Victoria will receive $1325 to help purchase a plaque dedicated to the Royal Australian Navy Corvettes and hold a service at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance for 50 guests.

· The Dandenong High School Ex-Students Association will receive $3000 to help install a stained glass window and bronze plaque at the School to commemorate the connection between the 4th Light Horse Regiment and the School.

· Kyneton RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help refurbish the Kyneton RSL Honour Board listing the names of 181 locals who served in the First World War.

· The North West Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive $1250 to help hold a commemorative service in August to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba.

· The Shrine of Remembrance will receive $3000 to help hold a Remembrance Day Poster Competition in Victoria in 2009 to encourage primary school students to learn about the significance of Remembrance Day and the First World War. The winning poster will go on display at the Shrine.

· The Victorian and Tasmanian Division of the Far East Strategic Reserve Navy Association will receive two grants: $1510 to help install a memorial in Echuca commemorating the Far East Strategic Reserve. It is the first memorial of its kind in regional Victoria; and $1350 to help with the costs of a dinner held in May following the unveiling of the memorial.

· The Lions Club of Lindenow will receive $3500 to help install lights and seating at the Lindenow War Memorial and landscape surrounding grounds to improve safety and usability for visiting veterans.

· Violet Town RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help refurbish the Violet Town RSL War Memorial including replacing a plinth and thorough cleaning.

· The City of Boroondara will receive $4000 to help restore the Beckett Park War Memorial in Balwyn including removing overgrown foliage and thorough cleaning.

· Rupanyup RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help install a 4th Light Horse Regiment Memorial in Memorial Park, Rupanyup, dedicated to several former local members of the Regiment that captured Beersheba.

· The Returned and Services Nurses’ Club of Victoria Sub-branch of the RSL will receive $3000 to help exhibit a commemorative display at the Australian Light Horse Memorial Park in Seymour depicting the role and sacrifice of Australian Army Nurses. The exhibition will be on permanent display from August 2009.

· Kongwak Community Group will receive $4000 to help replace missing and dying trees in the Kongwak Avenue of Honour, install a plaque at the Kongwak War Memorial listing the names of seven servicemen from the district who lost their lives on active duty and replace a tree beside the memorial.

· Leongatha RSL Sub-branch will receive $2972 to help purchase a large display case to preserve and display wartime memorabilia donated to the Sub-branch including uniforms, medals, documents, utensils and books.

· Redbank Reserves Committee will receive $1012 to help install a plaque on the new war memorial at Anzac Park, Redbank, dedicated to fifteen locals who served in the First World War.

· Newham Primary School will receive $3729 to help restore the School’s Honour Roll displaying the names of 36 former students who fought in the First World War.

· Warragul RSL Sub-branch will receive $3255 to help purchase and erect an internal halyard flagpole at the new Sub-branch premises.

· The Greater Shepparton City Council will receive $4000 to help construct a memorial next to the clock tower in Tatura dedicated to the men and women who served Australia in times of war and conflict. This will be Tatura’s first memorial.

· Sorrento-Portsea RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help attach two plaques to the brick wall adjacent to the Sub-branch premises commemorating locals who served in both World Wars.

· The 107 Field Battery Association will receive two grants: $3000 to help publish a unit history of the 107 Field Battery Malaya and South Vietnam; and $2250 to help hold a hold a dinner for members and guests in April 2010 to commemorate the 40th anniversary since the deployment of 107 Field Battery Royal Australian Artillery to South Vietnam.

· Friends of Same will receive $2926 to help hold a photographic exhibition Debt of Honour at Melbourne’s Fortyfivedownstairs Art Gallery depicting Australian service in Portuguese Timor in the Second World War.

Saluting Their Service grants South Australia Recipients — $44,703

· Clare RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help restore the Clare World War I Memorial Gates including mould removal and replacing render.

· One Tree Hill Progress Association will receive $880 to help restore the weathered memorial located at the One Tree Hill Institute which was constructed in 1919.

· SMOSH West Lakes Junior Football Club will receive $725 to help with the cost of holding the inaugural Anzac Day Commemorative Football game in April 2009.

· The Northern Suburbs Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive $1800 to help install a memorial plaque in the Association’s Memorial Garden dedicated to the 58 South Australian soldiers killed in the Vietnam War 1962-1975.

· The Perry Park Aged Care and Housing Group will receive $1685 to help install a commemorative plaque at the facility for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· Salisbury RSL Sub-branch will receive $2800 to help upgrade the Sub-branch’s war memorial commemorating all Australians who served in wars, conflicts and peace operations since the Boer War.

· Unley RSL Sub-branch will receive $2273 to help restore the vandalised Unley First World War Cenotaph. The Cenotaph will be relocated from the Clarence Gardens Bowling Club to the Unley Memorial Gardens where it will be more secure.

· Yorke Peninsula Veteran and Community Centre will receive $3000 to help restore 109 photographs taken of the remount unit of the Australian Light Horse in Palestine during the First World War.

· Riverland Vietnam Veterans’ Association will receive $7000 to help construct the Riverland Post World War II Armed Services Memorial in Berri dedicated to locals who served Australia in all wars, conflicts and peace operations after the Second World War, and hold a memorial dedication service and luncheon in August for members and guests.

· The South Australian Division of the Royal Australian Ordnance Corps Association will receive $1035 to help purchase a Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps banner to be used in marches on days of commemoration.

· The South Australian Division of the Royal Australian Engineers’ Association will receive $549 to help purchase a Royal Australian Engineers Vietnam unit banner for use in marches on days of commemoration.

· Marion RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help restore the deteriorating Marion First World War Memorial.

· The Peninsula Residential Care Centre will receive $3080 to help install a flagpole at the Centre in Kadina for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· Kadina Memorial High School will receive $1171 to help correct inaccuracies on the Kadina Memorial Archway and add missing names. The archway is dedicated to formers students who served in wars, conflicts and peace operations since the Boer War.

· The Mylor History Group will receive $2035 to help purchase a lightweight and portable display system to exhibit a significant collection of wartime memorabilia which will be transported around the town.

· Skyline Residential Care will receive $1670 to help install a flagpole at the facility in Flagstaff Hill for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· The Flinders Ranges Council will receive $4000 to help restore a 95mm smooth bore Turkish field gun located in the RSL Memorial Gardens in Quorn. The gun was captured on 1 November 1918 by the Australian Light Horse Unit at Beersheba and is one of only three captured by the Australian Light Horse Regiments during the First World War.

· The National Trust of South Australia will receive $3000 to help install large descriptive wall panels and a specially designed case to house some of the wartime memorabilia held by the Penneshaw National Trust Museum.

Saluting Their Service grants Queensland Recipients — $73,310

· The Queensland Branch of The Royal Australian Regiment Association will receive two grants: $560 to help purchase 100 flags to use during a service to be held at the National Memorial Walk in Enoggera in November to commemorate members of the 9th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment who died during service in Vietnam; and $3100 to help construct a time capsule to be filled with wartime memorabilia and entombed in a small memorial plinth at The Royal Australian Regiment National Memorial Walk, Enoggera and construct a memorial dedicated to the 8th/9th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment.

· The United Nations Association of Queensland will receive $616 to help restore the weathered Peacekeepers Memorial located in Brisbane’s Anzac Square.

· Queensland RSL Care War Veterans’ Homes will receive $3000 to help create a Gallipoli Memorial Garden in the grounds of the Parkinson facility for residents to use as a place of reflection on commemorative days.

· The Bracken Ridge 5/7 Royal Australian Regiment Association will receive $2112 to help create a website depicting the history on the Regiment for the use of members and the wider community.

· Walkerston-Pleystowe RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help landscape the grounds of the Walkerston-Pleystowe Memorial Gates located in Anzac Park where commemorative services are held.

· The New Guinea Volunteer Rifles and Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles Ex-members’ Association will receive $1020 to help conserve and frame wartime memorabilia held in the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles and Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles Military Museum in Wacol, Brisbane, including two silk escape maps, artworks depicting the Toll Massacre and a Japanese 1000 stitches charm belt.

· Oxford Crest in Eagleby will receive $4000 to help construct a memorial garden and erect a flagpole for residents to use on days of commemoration.

· Marburg and District Residents’ Association will receive $1700 to help erect an honour board in the Marburg Community Centre commemorating locals who volunteered for service during the First World War.

· The Patriots Australia Gold Coast Chapter will receive $1417 to help hold a luncheon in October to commemorate United Nations Day and Australia’s involvement in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

· The 2 Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) Association will receive $1025 to help install a plaque in the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial dedicated to the Regiment.

· Bribie Island Ex-Servicewoman’s Association will receive $1270 to help install an honour board in the Anzac Room at the Bribie Island RSL Club dedicated to all servicewoman.

· The Greenbank Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $1750 to help with the costs of a dinner held in May to mark the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War and the Battle of the Coral Sea.

· The 11 Field Ambulance Association will receive $825 to help purchase a banner for the Association to use at marches on days of commemoration.

· The Toorbul War Memorial Restoration Committee will receive $4000 to help upgrade the Toorbul and District War Memorial including thorough cleaning and replacing plastic name plaques with stainless steel versions.

· Bribie Island RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help restore a Royal Australian Navy frigate anchor located in the memorial grounds of the Bribie Island RSL and Citizens Memorial Club.

· Yeppoon RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help upgrade and restore the Yeppoon Memorial Cenotaph including replacing the damaged marble face.

· Wide Bay and Burnett District RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help renovate the memorial shelter in Cracow to house the Cracow Roll of Honour and wartime memorabilia for public display.

· Mapleton RSL Sub-branch will receive $565 to help attach a bronze plaque to the memorial stone at RSL Mapleton Memorial Park commemorating locals who served in both World Wars.

· The Gold Coast City Council will receive $3495 to help upgrade the grounds of the Robina Community War Memorial including installing flowerbeds and planting poppies and rosemary to honour local men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

· Glasshouse Country RSL Sub-branch will receive $540 to help install a plaque in Anzac Avenue at Beerburrum dedicated to local servicemen who lost their lives in the First World War, and purchase three hand-held flagpoles for school children to use during commemorative services.

· Milne Bay Military Museum will receive $3000 to help purchase a display cabinet to house medals dating from the Boer War to present conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

· Yarraman RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help upgrade the Yarraman War Memorial with the addition of two bronze plaques dedicated to locals who served in all wars and conflicts.

· The Gold Coast Vietnam Veterans’ Social Golf Club will receive $3193 to help install a memorial wall around the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial located at the Boomerang Farm Golf Club in Mudgeeraba. The wall will feature plaques of past members who served in Vietnam, Korea, Malaya and peace operations.

· The Gold Coast Naval Foundation will receive $2350 to help hold a commemorative service and luncheon in October for members and guests to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf and honour the service of HMAS Australia II.

· Cooroy-Pomona RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help purchase two display cabinets to house wartime memorabilia including six secure compartments to house military weapons.

· Westmar State School will receive $4000 to help erect a war memorial dedicated to local veterans who served in all wars and conflicts. Community members will help to create a garden around the memorial.

· Pittsworth RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help restore wartime photographs for display at the Sub-branch.

· St George RSL Sub-branch will receive $3872 to help restore the deteriorating First World War Honour Board located at St George Hospital.

· The Southport and Districts Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive $900 to help hold a commemorative service at the National Memorial Walk in August to commemorate the Battle of Long Tan; and install a plaque on the Cenotaph in Anzac Park dedicated to those veterans who lost their lives in Vietnam.

Saluting Their Service grants New South Wales Recipients — $132,949

· Ramsgate RSL Sub-branch will receive $1100 to help hold a luncheon in July for members and guests at the Ramsgate RSL Memorial Club to honour veterans of recent conflicts including Rwanda, Iraq, the Solomon Islands and East Timor.

· Scots Church Sydney will receive $3890 to help refurbish a First World War honour board at the Church.

· Mortdale RSL Sub-branch will receive $930 to help install a plaque at the Mortdale Memorial Park to commemorate the contribution of the 45th Battalion during the First World War.

· Sans Souci Public School will receive $3128 to help restore the School’s First World War Honour Board in time for its 125th anniversary commemorations to be held in 2010.

· The 3rd Cavalry Regiment (Vietnam) Association will receive two grants: $1224 to help install a plaque in the Western Garden at the Australian War Memorial dedicated to all who served in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, Royal Australian Armoured Corps, in Vietnam 1965-1972; and $3000 to help hold a final reunion dinner in November for members representing Cavalry units that served in Vietnam. A service will be held at the Vietnam War Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra after which the plaque will be unveiled at the Australian War Memorial.

· Brighton Le Sands Sub-branch will receive $96 to help purchase an Australian White Ensign to be displayed at the Sub-branch on commemorative occasions.

· Merriwa RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help install a display cabinet at the Sub-branch to exhibit wartime memorabilia from the Boer war to current deployments.

· Newcastle City Council will receive $4000 to help restore the Vietnam Veteran’s War Memorial located in Civic Park including cleaning and replacing deteriorated materials.

· Cooma Monaro RSL Sub-branch will receive $2498 to help install a memorial in the Monaghan-Heyes Memorial area in Cooma dedicated to locals who have served in the Australian Defence Force since 1975.

· The HMAS Culgoa Association will receive $1250 to help hold a final reunion in September for members and guests at the Swansea RSL Sub-branch for Culgoa crew members who served in the Korean War.

· Greta RSL Sub-branch will receive $850 to help hold a commemorative event to mark the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War.

· The Entrance/Long Jetty RSL Sub-branch will receive $1210 to help purchase database software to record more than 15,000 articles of wartime memorabilia dating from the Boer War, which are displayed at the Military Museum at the Sub-branch.

· Maitland Vietnam Veterans and Services Legion will receive $3000 to help hold a dedication ceremony and luncheon in September for members and guests at the new memorial in Maitland dedicated to those who died in the Vietnam War.

· The Lions Club of Tathra will receive $4000 to help upgrade the Tathra War Memorial including replacing cracked paving and building steps leading to the memorial to improve safety.

· Burringbar RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help restore the Burringbar First World War Cenotaph Honour Roll which was unveiled more than 90 years ago and includes the names on 123 local diggers – 33 of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.

· Corrimal RSL Sub-branch will receive $933 to help restore the Corrimal Honour Roll located in Anzac Grove.

· The NSW 4 RAR/4 RAR (Commando) Association will receive $734 to help purchase two banners for the Association to use on days of commemoration.

· Chamberlain Gardens aged care facility will receive $1639 to help install a flagpole to fly the Australian Flag on days of commemoration.

· The 7th Australian Division Australian Imperial Force Association will receive $3800 to help upgrade the Bass Hill Memorial located on Remembrance Drive with the addition of a memorial wall to accommodate plaques dedicated to the Division.

· Eden Park Residential Aged Care will receive two grants: $1650 to help install a flagpole to fly the Australian Flag on days of commemoration; and $670 to help install an honour board at the facility listing all resident veterans and war widows.

· The Royal New South Wales Lancers’ Memorial Museum will receive $1551 to help restore and preserve the Boer War diary of Major General Lee who commanded the NSW Lancers Squadron during the Boer War. The diary will also be digitally copied for preservation and display purposes.

· Thirroul RSL Sub-branch will receive $2695 to help restore a Bofors gun located at Woodwood Park, Thirroul, which was on board the HMAS Anzac during the Korean War, and attach a plaque outlining the history of the gun.

· Wangi Wangi RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help install four display cabinets in the main lounge of the Sub-branch to exhibit a large amount of memorabilia held by the Sub-branch including pieces from the Boer War through to present operations.

· Blaxland-Glenbrook RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help construct a memorial at the site of the Glenbrook Chemical Warfare facility commemorating all RAAF personnel who worked there during the Second World War.

· The Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Committee will receive $1750 to help hold a dinner at the Evans Head RSL Sub-branch to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the involvement of the RAAF with the Evans Head community.

· The Evans Head Living Museum and Community Technology Centre will receive $4000 to help install a memorial and garden at the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the formation of the Empire Air Training Scheme and the involvement of the RAAF in the Evans Head Community.

· The Fairmile Association will receive $360 towards morning tea provided at a dedication ceremony held recently at the Shrine of Remembrance commemorating the Fairmile ships and their crews.

· The HMAS Vampire Association will receive $200 to help present a plaque to the Australian National Maritime Museum commemorating the 50th anniversary of the commissioning of HMAS Vampire and all her crew.

· Coolah District Development Group will receive $3000 to help collect, restore, preserve and interpret photographs and wartime memorabilia relating to locals who served in the Second World War.

· The 3 RAR Museum will receive $2927 to help restore and frame wartime memorabilia including photographs, flags, papers and maps held by the Museum in Holsworthy before they relocate to Townsville in 2010.

· Coonabarabran RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help restore and record wartime memorabilia and purchase lockable display cabinets to house memorabilia including medals, publications and personal mementos.

· Taree RSL Sub-branch will receive $1900 to help restore the memorial located in the foyer of the Sub-branch which is the main focus for community services.

· Dungog RSL Sub-branch will receive $1900 to help hold a function in October to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

· 30 Squadron RAAF Beaufighters Association will receive $2000 to help install 52 walkway pavers at the 30 Squadron RAAF Memorial at the North Fort Walk Artillery Museum in Manly.

· The Bowral Vietnam Memorial Walk Trust will receive $4000 to help complete the Bowral Vietnam Memorial Cherry Tree Walk with the addition of a commemorative column and nine mature cherry trees dedicated to the nine battalions of The Royal Australian Regiment that served in the Vietnam War.

· The Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) Vietnam Memorial will receive $3837 to help construct a memorial at the School of Military Engineering at Moorebank dedicated to those who served in the Indonesian Confrontation in Sabah 1964-1966, and hold a plaque dedication service and dinner in September for members and guests.

· The 78 Squadron Association will receive $2970 to help install a plaque at the Camden War Cemetery dedicated to No 78 Kittyhawk Fighter Squadron, which was formed and trained in Camden during the Second World War.

· Killara High School will receive $1655 to help erect an honour roll commemorating former students who served in both World Wars and subsequent conflicts.

· Goulburn Mulwaree Council will receive $4000 to help refurbish the Boer War Memorial located in Belmore Park, Goulburn, which was built in 1902.

· Coffs Harbour RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help replace concrete surrounding the Coffs Harbour Memorial Wall with turf to improve visitor safety at commemorative services.

· Holsworthy High School will receive $3000 to help create a memorial garden with a flagpole and memorial stone in its grounds for use on days of commemoration.

· Great Lakes Council will receive $2050 to help purchase a display cabinet and restore wartime memorabilia for displays at the Booral Soldiers Memorial Hall including a Light Maxim MGO8/15 gun.

· The Albury Wodonga Sub-branch of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia will receive $4000 to help install a memorial in parkland adjacent to the Harold Mair Bridge in Albury dedicated to national servicemen who served Australia in wars, conflicts and peace operations.

· The NSW Ex-Women’s Royal Australian Navy Association will receive $1000 to help preserve and catalogue wartime memorabilia held in the Association archives in Grose Wold including uniforms, letters, photographs and insignia donated by members.

· Gloucester RSL Sub-branch will receive $2750 to help hold a reunion in August to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba.

· The 5 RAR Association will receive $3000 to help hold a reunion and dinner in March 2010 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the formation of the 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, dedicated to those members who were killed in action or wounded.

· The 9th Australian Division Council will receive $3000 to help purchase a unit banner bearing colours for the 9th Australian Division to be used in marches on days of commemoration.

· The Molong Museum and Historical Society will receive $3000 to help restore and preserve wartime memorabilia for display including photographs, uniforms, military handbooks and Japanese souvenirs.

· The Great Lakes Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Federation will receive $2790 to help construct a memorial with two plaques next to the Lone Pine tree at the John Wright Park in Tuncurry to commemorate the Anzacs and as a tribute to all those who served Australia and wars, conflicts and peace operations.

· The Tinonee Memorial School of Arts will receive $242 to help upgrade the Tinonee Honour Roll with the addition of ten veterans whose names were originally omitted.

· Kandos RSL Sub-branch will receive $3420 to help install eight commemorative plaques at the Kandos Town Square commemorating all those who served Australia in wars, conflicts and peace operations.

· The RAAF Vietnam RAAF Transport Flight/35 Squadron Council will receive $2350 to help hold a reunion in August to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the deployment of the first RAAF unit to Vietnam.

· The 78 Squadron Association will receive $3000 to help publish the first unit history of No 78 Squadron RAAF.

Saluting Their Service grants Australian Capital Territory — $14,361

· Canberra Grammar School will receive $3000 to help add details of the school choir’s participation in the 2009 Anzac Day ceremonies in France and the United Kingdom on their website and produce a CD recording of the tour.

· Norfolk Island RSL Sub-branch will receive $3211 to help erect a war memorial at Norfolk Island Central School dedicated to former students lost in both World Wars and the Korean War.

· Charles Conder Primary School will receive $4000 to help build a veterans’ garden in the school grounds. Local veterans will be invited to help plant the garden. A plaque will also be installed in the garden dedicated to those who served in all wars and conflicts.

· The RAAF Association National Council will receive $1150 to help hold a reunion in Hobart in September to mark the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War.

· Canberra Services Club will receive $3000 to help display wartime photographs depicting Australian Army deployments including the European theatre, New Guinea and Korea. Australia’s first Indigenous commissioned Army Officer, Captain Reginald Saunders MBE, is the central figure linking the photographs.

Saluting Their Service grants Northern Territory — $2750

· The Northern Territory Branch of the Royal Australian Regiment will receive $2750 for a reunion and dinner held in June in Darwin commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba.