Projects honouring Australia’s wartime heritage received a financial boost today with the announcement of $303,708 in funding approved by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin. Mr Griffin said the funding for 110 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.”

· Norfolk Island RSL Sub-branch will receive $1280 to help purchase a display case to house and exhibit an escape hatch from an RAAF 38 Squadron Caribou aircraft in the club’s military memorabilia area.

· Kurri Kurri RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help purchase display cabinets to house wartime memorabilia at the club.

· Brunswick Heads and Billinudgel RSL Sub-branch will receive $2240 to help install a display case and secure gun display board at the club to exhibit wartime memorabilia.

· The Royal Australian Navy Band Association will receive $2648 to help restore the band’s parade drums used during the Second World War, for use at special commemorative occasions.

· Woy Woy Ettalong Hardys Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive $1320 to help replace the wooden flagpole at the club for use on days of commemoration.

· The Fairmile Association will receive two grants: $4000 to help install a memorial dedicated to the Fairmile ships of the Royal Australian Navy at the Ship Memorial Precinct at RAN Fleet Base East, Garden Island; and $1545 to help hold a plaque dedication service.

· Merriwa RSL Sub-branch will receive $1050 towards a ceremony held in October commemorating the 95th anniversary of the formation of the Light Horse Regiment.

· The Illawarra Sub-branch of the National Servicemen’s Association will receive $4000 to help upgrade and restore the Illawarra National Servicemen’s Memorial in Wollongong.

· Batlow RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help replace the tiling around the Batlow War Memorial to improve safety for visitors.

· Doyalson-Wyee RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help upgrade the Doyalson-Wyee War Memorial by installing a glass fence and lockable gate to improve security.

· The Operations Pilgrimage Group will receive $3000 towards a dedication ceremony held at the National Maritime Museum on 11 November to commemorate the bell from the Krait, which went missing in 1944 and was rediscovered in Queensland in 2008.

· Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces will receive $3000 towards a ceremony held in August commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba at the war memorial in Springwood.

· The Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution will receive two grants: $1892 to help install a flagpole at the Leeton Aged Care Facility; and $1114 to help install a flagpole at the Glen Innes Aged Care Facility, for use on days of commemoration.

· Riverina Vietnam Veterans Reunion will receive $3000 towards a reunion held on 7 November at the Wagga Wagga RSL commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba.

· Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society will receive $480 to help replace the deteriorated First World War Honour Board currently located at the Murrumburrah Folk Museum for permanent display at the Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society rooms.

· Moree Public School will receive $1804 to help restore the school’s honour roll which lists the names of students who served during the First World War.

· The Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia will receive $4000 to help install an Australian Naval Aviation honour roll in the memorial garden at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Nowra Hill.

· Young Historical Society will receive $410 to help restore two cabinets at the Lambing Flat Folk Museum to display wartime memorabilia.

· The Shoalhaven Sub-branch of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $1982 to help transfer naval wartime memorabilia currently stored on VHS tapes to DVDs to preserve the footage.

· United Service Club will receive $3000 to help purchase five lockable display cabinets to preserve and exhibit a collection of antique and veteran rifles dating from 1871 to the First World War.

· Merriwa RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help replace the uneven concrete and gravel surrounding the Merriwa War Memorial to improve safety for visitors.

· Ashfield RSL Sub-branch will receive $1100 to help replace the concrete border surrounding the memorial to improve safety for visitors.

· Chatsworth Island and Iluka RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help refurbish the Iluka War Memorial including cleaning the memorial and installing lighting to deter vandalism.

· Pottsville RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help install a nominal roll in Anzac Park, Pottsville, listing the names of those from the district who have served in wars and conflicts.

· Canley Vale Public School will receive $4000 to help restore a First World War honour board at the school.

· Narooma RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help replace the clock on the Narooma RSL and Citizens War Memorial in the town centre.

· St Joseph’s School Woodburn will receive $1000 to help students undertake a research project with local veterans to mark the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Royal Australian Air Force presence in Evans Head.

· Coffs Harbour RSL Sub-branch will receive $1750 towards a ceremony and luncheon held in July commemorating Indigenous veterans.

· Lane Cove 12 Foot Sailing Skiff Club will receive $2500 to help refurbish the honour board at the club in Longueville which lists the names of members who served in the Second World War.

· Illawong Public School will receive $2930 to help create a commemorative garden and install a plaque at the base of the school’s flagpole dedicated to veterans from the district.

· Taree Gardens Social Committee will receive $300 to help install a flagpole in the grounds of the Taree Retirement Village for use on days of commemoration.

· Parkes RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help restore the Parkes War Memorial and improve security.

· Gunnedah RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help relocate and refurbish the Breeza War Memorial which is currently located on a busy highway, to ensure the safety of the local community when attending commemorative ceremonies.

· Manly Warringah Pittwater RSL District Council will receive $8531 to help apply a non-visible wax coating to memorials located in Manly Warringah and Pittwater to protect them from graffiti attack.

· TS Manoora will receive $1300 to help erect a memorial wall in Taree dedicated to the Royal Australian Navy and create a garden around the wall.

· The New South Wales Police RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help publish a biographical dictionary of New South Wales police personnel who served in the Australian forces during 1939-1945.

Saluting Their Service grants ACT recipients

· The Merchant Navy Association will receive $245 to help purchase an Australian Red Ensign to fly at the Merchant Navy Memorial in Kings Park, Canberra.

· The ACT RSL Branch will receive $4000 to help upgrade the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander war memorial at Mount Ainslie. The upgrade will include stabilising the existing gravel path and installing seating.

Saluting Their Service grants Tasmanian recipients

· The Fairmile Association (based in NSW) will receive $2975 to help install a memorial at HMAS Shropshire Naval Memorial Park at Ulverstone dedicated to Fairmile ships of the Royal Australian Navy and all who served in them during the Second World War and hold a plaque dedication service.

· Dunalley RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help build a war memorial in Dunalley dedicated to all wars and conflicts.

· Judbury Progress Association will receive $678 to help renovate the Judbury War Memorial and restore the lettering on the memorial.

· Clarence City Council will receive $3000 to help install three plaques in Anzac Park Lindisfarne to commemorate naval service in the Second World War.

· The Tasmanian North West Branch of the Royal Australian Air Force Association will receive $924 to help install internal bollards in the flagpoles at RAAFA Park in Ulverstone to prevent vandalism.

· Scottsdale RSL Sub-branch will receive $740 to help attach a plaque to the Scottsdale War Memorial commemorating all Australian prisoners of war.

Saluting Their Service grants West Australian recipients

· The City of Fremantle will receive two grants: $4000 to help install a plaque at the Fallen Sailors and Soldiers Memorial at Monument Hill detailing the reasons for constructing the memorial; and $3000 towards an inaugural luncheon held in September to commemorate Battle for Australia Day.

· Gosnells RSL Sub-branch will receive $2475 to help install a plaque at the Gosnells War Memorial listing the names of local veterans who served during the Second World War.

· Bencubbin RSL Sub-branch will receive $1650 to help construct a memorial in Beacon dedicated to the five servicemen from the district who lost their lives during the Second World War.

· Canning Districts/Victoria Park RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help install fencing around the Shirley Neil Memorial Garden and flag station to improve security.

· Geraldton City RSL Sub-branch will receive $1780 to help replace the flagpole at the Geraldton War Memorial with a vandalism resistant flagpole.

· Toodyay RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help replace 26 commemorative plaques missing from the Toodyay War Memorial dedicated to servicemen from the district who lost their lives during the First World War.

· Wagin District High School will receive $3000 to help students conduct a research project on 112 soldiers from the district who were killed during the First World War.

· Wagin RSL Sub-branch will receive $3850 to help install a plaque on the Remembrance Wall at the local high school dedicated to 112 soldiers from the district who were killed during the First World War.

Saluting Their Service grants Victorian recipients

· Ballan RSL Sub-branch will receive $2384 to help install a flagpole and lighting at the soldier settlers commemoration area in Ballan to improve safety and help deter vandalism.

· Thomas Carr College will receive $4000 to help relocate the Malay/Borneo Veterans Memorial closer to the Information Centre in Tarneit to improve visitor access.

· Australian National Reserve Diving Team Six will receive $2250 towards a commemorative dinner held in November at the Melbourne Naval Centre to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the diving team.

· The 2/14th Battalion Association will receive $2557 to help install a plaque dedicated to the battalion in the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

· Maribyrnong Maidstone RSL Sub-branch will receive $788 to help install a plaque at the Maribyrnong memorial dedicated to locals who served in the Vietnam War.

· Fifth Linstock Nominees will receive $1595 to help install a flagpole at the Newmans Manor aged care facility in Templestowe for use on days of commemoration.

· Echuca Regional Veterans Support Centre will receive $1535 to help install a flagpole at the centre to fly the Australian flag.

· Christ Church Grammar School will receive $340 to help purchase a replica banner of the 2/14th Australian Field Regiment to be used by students on days of commemoration.

· Bairnsdale Secondary College will receive $3000 to help construct a memorial in the school grounds for use on days of commemoration.

· The 1st Armoured Regiment Association will receive $1250 towards an event held in July at the School of Armour in Puckapunyal to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba.

· Tobruk Street Primary School, Morwell, will receive $3000 to help produce a banner featuring student-based research about the Battle of Tobruk.

· Wycheproof RSL Sub-branch will receive $3390 to help restore the Wycheproof RSL War Memorial in Centenary Park and install a plaque at the memorial dedicated to those who served in the Vietnam War.

· The Merchant Navy War Service League will receive $3000 to help install a glass cabinet in the Western Port Oberon Submarine Association at Crib Point to display wartime memorabilia.

· Cohuna/Leitchville RSL Sub-branch will receive $500 to help install an honour board in the Cohuna Memorial Hall dedicated to Australian men and women who have served in wars and conflicts.

· The Lighthorse and Field Artillery Museum will receive three grants: $4000 to help restore two bronze honour boards dedicated to members of the Commercial Travellers Club who served during the First World War; $2800 to help install a display cabinet at the museum to house HMAS Yarra memorabilia; and $4000 to help restore an honour board dedicated to employees at the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works who served during the First World War.

· Knox Remembrance Day Committee will receive $1350 to help restore the vandalised First World War Memorial located in the Tim Neville Arboretum in Ferntree Gully.

· The C Coy 2 RAR/NZ November 2009 Reunion Committee will receive $1750 towards a reunion held in early November to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the company’s tour of duty in South Vietnam.

Saluting Their Service grants Queensland recipients

· Oxford Crest will receive $4000 to help establish a memorial garden featuring a flagpole and memorial stone engraved with ‘Lest We Forget’ on the grounds of Oxford Crest Village in Beachmere for use by residents on days of commemoration.

· RSL War Veterans’ Homes will receive $3000 to help research and display 70 pre-Second World War medals and badges donated by former residents of the RSL Care Fernhill Retirement Community.

· The Queensland Branch of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces National Association will receive $1050 to help install a plaque at the Memorial Hall grounds in Ipswich dedicated to the Australian contingent of the BCOF who were killed while serving in Japan in 1945-52 and hold a plaque dedication service.

· The Australian Defence Force Trackers and War Dogs Association will receive $803 to help install two plaques in the gardens of the Royal Australian Regiment National Memorial Walk in Enoggera dedicated to war dogs with overseas service.

· The Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Association of Queensland will receive $4000 to help build a memorial in Tugalawa Park dedicated to the men and women who served in the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers unit from 1945.

· Mount Morgan RSL Sub-branch will receive $2387 to help preserve an Australian Flag used during the First World War for permanent display at the club.

· Springwood Tri Service RSL Sub-branch will receive four grants: $4000 to help build a memorial at Rochedale State School; $3178 to help build a memorial at St Peter’s Primary School in Rochedale; $3766 to help build a memorial at St Edward’s Primary School in Daisy Hill; and $3178 to help build a memorial at Kimberley Park State Primary School in Shailer Park. All four memorials will be dedicated to Australian servicemen and women who have given their lives in defence of our country.

· The 3rd Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment Corporation will receive $3000 to help publish stories and experiences of those who served in the battalion.

· Cairns RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 towards the inaugural Battle for Australia Day commemorations held at the Cairns Cenotaph in September.

· Murweh Shire Council will receive $4000 to help upgrade the Charleville War Memorial with four granite bollards and four statues depicting Australian soldiers at ease in the Catafalque stance.

· South Burnett Regional Council will receive $4000 to help construct two memorial walls along the pathway to the Kingaroy Memorial Park Rotunda where plaques dedicated to Australian servicemen and women and three flagpoles will be installed.

· The Dayboro War Memorial Association will receive $3953 to help replace deteriorated wooden bollards with illuminated bollards to protect the memorial and improve safety.

· The Townsville and District Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia will receive $4000 to help construct a memorial wall next to the National Servicemen’s Memorial in Rowes Bay Park.

· Pimlico State High School will receive $3000 to help develop an online teaching resource to record a group of 40 students’ trip to war sites and cemeteries in Singapore and Gallipoli in September.

· Toogoom and District RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help construct a memorial wall in the Toogoom Memorial Gardens commemorating all Australian servicemen and women.

· The Toowoomba Branch of the Royal Australian Air Force Association will receive $4000 to help install a plinth and plaque at the Village on the Downs retirement facility in Harristown to commemorate Second World War veterans.

· Beerwah Peachester RSL Sub-branch will receive $850 towards a commemorative service held in August to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba.

· 8th/9th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment will receive $4000 to help install a plaque on the memorial located in the Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, dedicated to those of the 8th, 9th and 8th/9th Battalions who lost their lives while on operational and non-operational service.

· The South Queensland Branch of the Australian Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Veterans Association will receive $2420 to help restore the Windaroo War Memorial and improve security and safety for visitors.

· Eudlo State School will receive $3000 to help create a community remembrance garden at the school dedicated to all Australian servicemen and women.

· Beenleigh and District RSL Sub-branch will receive $2896 to help restore a 1958 Series 2 Military Landrover for use during commemorative events.

Saluting Their Service grants South Australian recipients

· Semaphore Port Adelaide RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help purchase 28 street flags on flagpoles to be displayed during the Anzac Light On The Water event held in Port Adelaide each year.

· The South Australian Branch of the Association of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-servicemen and women will receive two grants: $3000 to help restore, preserve and display wartime memorabilia at the club premises in Richmond; and $3000 to help purchase four glass image panels to provide a pictorial history from the First World War until the present day.

· Scholz Park Museum will receive $3000 to help install a display case at the museum to exhibit wartime memorabilia.

· The South Australian Branch of the 8th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment Association will receive $4000 to help construct a memorial on the Pathway of Honour in Adelaide dedicated to the battalion.

· The 92 Wing 70th Anniversary Committee will receive $3000 towards a ceremony and dinner held in September to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the formation of No 10 and 11 Squadrons.

· The South Australian RSL Branch will receive $535 to help publish 30 copies of a booklet detailing the service of 322 officers of the PMG Posts, Telegraphs and Telephone Department of South Australia during the First World War.

· The Georgetown Community Development Association will receive $4000 to help replace two deteriorated Second World War honour rolls at the gates of the Second World War Memorial Park, purchase a new honour roll to commemorate the Korean and Vietnam Wars and remove several trees that are encroaching on the ceremonial area.

· Walker Flat and District Community Hall will receive $4000 to help refurbish the local war memorial.

· The District Council of the Copper Coast will receive $4000 to help upgrade the surrounds of the Moonta War Memorial.

· The Blackwood and District RSL Sub-branch will receive $3710 to help restore the vandalised Blackwood Soldier’s Memorial including replacing the bayonet on the rifle held by the First World War soldier and restoring engravings.

· Bute RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help construct a large glass cabinet to house and display wartime memorabilia.