ACT VETERAN COMMUNITY RECEIVES $8000 BOOST IN FUNDING

The ACT veteran community will share in $8810 to help honour our nation’s past and present servicemen and women, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, announced today.

Mr Billson said the funding is part of the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service commemorations program, and helps bring our wartime history to life. 

"The ACT RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4000 to help relocate the RSL Memorial Stone from the Federal Highway to the ex-services section of the Gungahlin Cemetery.

"The Australian Flying Corp and Royal Australian Air Force Association ACT Division will receive a grant of $810 to help install a plaque in the Sculpture Garden at the Australian War Memorial dedicated to No 2 Squadron RAAF.

"Saluting Their Service provides an important source of funding to community and ex-service organisations committed to recognising the service and sacrifice of our servicemen and women – past and present – and preserving Australia’s wartime heritage for future generations," Mr Billson said.

"Saluting Their Service encourages community understanding and participation by, for example, raising awareness of significant wartime anniversaries, supporting commemorative events, providing education resources for schools and preserving wartime memorabilia.  Many of these initiatives recall the major battles on the Western Front where we lost many thousands of lives 90 years ago.

"The Australian Government remains committed to supporting community projects that acknowledge those who have served, and continue to serve, our nation in wars, conflicts and peace operations.

"Since the program began ex-service and community organisations across Australia have benefited from Saluting Their Service funding" he said.

"As a nation, we remain indebted to the dedicated Australians who put their lives on the line in the service of Australia.  The Australian Government is committed to honouring them and their place in history—they will not be forgotten," Mr Billson said.

For more information about the Saluting Their Service commemorations program, go to www.dva.gov.au or call 1800 026 185.

Media inquiries: Cameron Hill  0408 239 521