Community grants to honour veterans
The Hon Matt Keogh MP
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel
Australia’s veterans come from all over the country, from towns large and small, it’s only right that the stories of their service are commemorated at home in their communities.
Today the Albanese Government can announce 72 community organisations across the nation will receive a share in more than $1.3 million funding through the latest round of the 2025–26 Saluting their Service (STS) Commemorative Grants Program.
Applications for funding were diverse, ranging from the restoration and conservation of the Red Ensign flag used in the 1915 Waratah recruitment marches, to the restoration of the Eternal Flame and Cenotaph at the RSLA Currumbin Palm Beach Sub-Branch, the creation of a Garden of Commemoration at the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Reserve and the construction of memorial gardens at local schools.
Since its inception, the STS Grants Program has funded thousands of projects nationwide, shining a commemorative light on the veteran community and the sacrifices they have made in our name.
Ex-service organisations, community groups, local councils, schools, and individuals are encouraged to apply for funding for projects acknowledging Australia’s proud military history. To find out more or to apply, visit the DVA website: www.dva.gov.au/STSgrants.
Saluting their Service Batch 1 2025-26 Recipients
| State | Applicant | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Shoalhaven Historical Society Inc | This project is to restore and conserve the Red Ensign flag which was used in the Waratah Marchers for WW1 in 1915. | $2,420.00 |
| NSW | Little Abbey's Academy Cn Pty Ltd | This project is to install a flagpole at the new Childcare Centre in Chipping Norton. | $2,500.00 |
| NSW | RSL (NSW) Wyong Sub Branch | This project is to replace old plaques of fallen and service personnel from the Wyong Shire with new commemoration plaques to the existing Cenotaph. | $4,522.00 |
| NSW | City of Canada Bay Council | This project is to restore and paint the Memorial Gates at the entry to Concord Pavilion of Honour. | $5,000.00 |
| NSW | Wingecarribee Shire Council | This project is to plant 41 Tai Haku trees along the Cherry Tree Walk memorial as living tribute to the soldiers who died in the Vietnam War. | $5,432.00 |
| NSW | Glenreagh Progress Association Inc | This project is to construct two permanent marble Honour Rolls at the Glenreagh School of Arts memorial garden. | $5,940.00 |
| NSW | Matcham Public Hall Inc | This project is to make wartime history visible and understood through a permanent plaque and display of historical newspaper articles & photos. | $7,166.00 |
| NSW | 2/33 Australian Infantry Battalion AIF Assoc | This project is to publish a book on the history of the 2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion A.I.F. Association on its 80th Anniversary. | $7,535.00 |
| NSW | Forbes Shire Council | This project is to create an immersive light display 'Lest We Forget' that will be projected on to the side of the historic Forbes Town Hall. For seven nights preceding the Forbes community Anzac commemoration. | $9,100.00 |
| NSW | Broken Hill Military Museum Inc | This project is to purchase and install secure, purpose-built display cabinets to protect and showcase the Museum's collection of military memorabilia. | $9,330.00 |
| NSW | Collingullie Soldiers' Memorial Hall Land Manager | This project is to create a new outdoor memorial to honour local residents who served in WW2. | $9,650.00 |
| NSW | The Evans Head Living Museum Inc | This project is to install 3 fire pits with plaques to commemorate WW2 in the Remembrance Parks of Evans Head, Woodburn and Broadwater. | $9,715.00 |
| NSW | Bourke Shire Council | This project is to create a new memorial at Bourke Cemetery called Remembrance Square with separate plinths for each of the 3 services, Army, Navy and Air Force. | $10,000.00 |
| NSW | Hay Shire Council | This project is to restore and reuse a former WW2 POW and Internment Camp site at the Hay Showground for a permanent, self-guided commemorative exhibition titled Faces of War. | $10,000.00 |
| NSW | Lockhart Shire Council | This project is to install a permanent, self-guided commemorative exhibition titled Saluting Their Service The Cost of War at the Lockhart War Memorial Hall. | $10,000.00 |
| NSW | RSLA Inverell Sub Branch | This project is to restore the Vietnam War Memorial at Inverell RSL Sub Branch. | $10,000.00 |
| NSW | The Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes of NSW | This project is to create a new Whiddon Kelso Community War Memorial. | $10,000.00 |
| NSW | Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club Inc | This project is to update/restore the sign writing on the existing WW2 Honour Board with names of additional servicemen who served in recent campaign, located at the Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club. | $772.73 |
| NSW | Darbys Falls Progress Assoc and Urban Landcare Group Inc | This project is to install two flagpoles at the local war memorial shrine. | $2,500.00 |
| NSW | The City of Newcastle RSL Sub Branch | This project is to purchase 4 glass cabinets to secure the display of weapons associated with WW1, WW2, Vietnam War and current conflicts which will replace the current timber display cabinets. | $8,129.10 |
| NSW | RSL (NSW) Castle Hill and District Sub Branch | This project is to put up a new toughened glass fence around the existing aluminium railed fencing at the Centenary of Anzac War Memorial. | $9,585.50 |
| NSW | New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum Inc | This project is to provide overhead protection for the Lancers' Museum Historic Vehicle Fleet at the Lancer Barracks in Parramatta. | $10,000.00 |
| NSW | Ku-ring-gai Council | This project is to conserve the Army Relief Map conservation with addition of viewing platform and interpretative signage. | $60,000.00 |
| NT | Veterans Australia NT Inc | This project is to refurbish the cast steel anchor displayed at the Memorial Wall at Reg Hillier House, home of Veterans Australia NT. | $1,100.00 |
| QLD | RSL (QLD) Walkerston - Pleystowe Sub Branch Inc | This project is to replace plaques at the Greenmount Avenue of Honour that have deteriorated since 1948. | $7,809.00 |
| QLD | West End State School P and C Assoc | This project is to create a memorial garden and have a commemorative plague installed at West End State School, South Brisbane. | $8,500.00 |
| QLD | Ripley Valley State Secondary College P & C Assoc | This project is to erect plaques and construct a new memorial at the Anzac place memorial and gardens. | $10,000.00 |
| QLD | Everton Park Primary P and C Assoc | This project is to construct a memorial garden, install a flagpole and relocate a memorial rock and plaque at the Everton Park Primary School. | $10,000.00 |
| QLD | Friends of Nundah Historic Cemetery Inc | This project is to develop a website with an interactive cemetery map that allows visitors to locate the graves of service personnel and view detailed biographical information for Queensland’s oldest cemetery. | $6,500.00 |
| QLD | Southport Surf Life Saving Club Inc | This project is to create an exhibit featuring stories relating to Southport Surf Life Saving Club member's military service during WW2. | $6,760.00 |
| QLD | RSLA (QLD Branch) Kilcoy Sub Branch Inc | This project is to restore a Leopard Tank. | $7,500.00 |
| QLD | Sunburnt Souls Ltd | This project is to produce a podcast named 10 Voices for the Fallen ADF Chaplains Video Podcast Series. | $21,000.00 |
| QLD | Australian Military Aviation History Association Inc | This project is to create a 12-part video series to commemorate RAAFs major air campaigns from WW1 to now. | $32,400.00 |
| QLD | RSL (QLD) Caboolture-Morayfield and District Sub Branch Inc | This project is to purchase and install display cabinets at the Caboolture-Morayfield and District Sub Branch. | $10,000.00 |
| QLD | RSLA (QLD Branch) Currumbin Palm Beach | This project is to restore the Eternal Flame and enhancement of the Cenotaph at the Currumbin Palm Beach RSL Sub Branch. | $74,650.33 |
| QLD | Flinders Shire Council | This project is to relocate the Flinders Shire War Memorial Cenotaph. | $88,100.00 |
| QLD | FNQ Aviation Museum Ltd | This project is to complete minor building works at the FNQ Aviation Museum to enhance the existing displays and create an immersive visitor experience. | $130,028.00 |
| SA | Reynella South Primary School | This Project is to install a new flagpole and reallocate the existing flagpoles at Reynella South Primary School. | $2,365.00 |
| SA | Gladstone Community Development and Tourism Assoc Inc | This project is to restore the entrance gates to Tresylva Memorial Park and place a WW1 and a WW2 plague on the left and right pillars of the gates. | $5,428.00 |
| SA | District Council of Mount Remarkable | This project is to add an extension to the Port German Soldiers Memorial. | $6,000.00 |
| SA | Penneshaw Progress Association Inc | This project is to update the Gallipoli Hill Memorial Cairn with signage detailing the service and sacrifice also adding a garden with a fence for protection. | $8,828.00 |
| SA | Richardson Park Inc | This project is to restore the Sevenhill & Penwortham District War Memorial. | $9,298.00 |
| SA | Charleston Community Centre Inc | This project is to develop the Charleston Peace Memorial to commemorate Australian Defence Force Peace Operations. | $9,500.00 |
| SA | Northern Areas Council - Stone Hut Development Committee | This project is to create a commemorative display of veterans at the Stone Hut. | $9,999.00 |
| SA | RSL (NSW) Morphett Vale and District Sub Branch Inc | This project is to construct four new murals across their carpark depicting the Army, Navy, Air Force and Nurses. | $10,000.00 |
| SA | RSL Care South Australia Inc | This project is to produce and install 5 Vietnam War Memorial totems at the Romani Aged Care facility in Murray Bridge. | $10,000.00 |
| SA | Mount Compass War Memorial Community Centre Inc | This project is to construct a new memorial to commemorate those who served Australia in times of conflict, including WW1 and WW2, Korean, Malayan, Vietnam, Gulf Wars, Timor and Afghanistan. | $10,000.00 |
| SA | District Council of Orroroo Carrieton | This project is to repair the original flagpole at Orroroo War Memorial. | $2,500.00 |
| SA | Marion Bay Progress Association Inc | This project is to provide two new Anzac memorial bench seats for people to sit and reflect at the new war memorial. | $6,000.00 |
| SA | Mallala RSL Sub Branch | This project is to construct a new Memorial for the Mallala Memorial Park to create a more relevant and inclusive memorial that acknowledges all wars and conflicts in which Australian's have served. | $10,000.00 |
| SA | Coromandel Community Centre Inc | This project is to construct a thoughtfully designed Memorial Walk of Honour featuring a stone stairway, commemorative plaques and garden dedicated to regional Australian service personnel since WW2. | $100,703.12 |
| VIC | Hallston Mechanics Institute Inc | This project is to sign write the WW1 Board Roll of Honour 1914-15 and WW2 1939-1945 Roll of Honour, with decorative Rifles and gum leaves. | $1,320.00 |
| VIC | Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub Branch | This project is to update the cenotaphs at the Ocean Grove Bowling Club and Ocean Grove Park. | $3,735.00 |
| VIC | Camberwell Target Rifle Club Inc | This project is to restore the Rifle Club's Honour Board which honours WW1 Servicemen. | $6,380.00 |
| VIC | St Leonards Progress Association Inc | This project is to research, write and publish the 100 history of the St Leonards Victoria Memorial Hall to commemorate the 37 men of the township who enlisted in WW1. | $10,000.00 |
| VIC | Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre Inc | This project is to share stories of local service men and women through art. The work will be publicly exhibited and a digital documentation of stories and artworks will be contributed to the Anzac portal. | $10,000.00 |
| VIC | Maldon Cemetery | This project is to purchase flagpoles to be installed at the gravesites of all veterans within the Maldon Cemetery on commemorative days. | $2,500.00 |
| VIC | Tynong Progress Association Inc | This project is to upgrade the Tynong Memorial with 2 extra flag poles, granite stepping stones and planting of Australian native plants. | $3,000.00 |
| VIC | Lisa Danielle Cooper | This project is to create an Australian based digital archive on sharing stories called, 'Here Sleep the Brave' dedicated to the servicemen and women of WW2. | $19,520.00 |
| VIC | Moyne Shire Council | This project is to replant 127 Holm Oaks in the WW1 section in the Heritage listed Mortlake Avenue of Honour. | $50,000.00 |
| VIC | Macedon Ranges Shire Council | This project is to create a Garden of Commemoration at the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Reserve. | $150,000.00 |
| VIC | East Malvern RSL Sub Branch Inc | This project is to produce a display in the foyer of the East Malvern RSL honouring the Peacekeepers and Peacemakers and an unveiling ceremony. | $10,000.00 |
| WA | Aubin Grove Primary School | This project is to create a memorial at the Aubin Grove Primary School WA. | $2,460.00 |
| WA | The Katanning Historical Society Inc | This project is to install a flag pole and to install a small plinth to acknowledge involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. | $3,140.00 |
| WA | Canning District RSL Sub Branch | This project is to install three display cabinets to present donated memorabilia at Canning District RSL Sub-Branch. | $7,000.00 |
| WA | Department of Education WA | This project is to create a commemorative garden to honour service and sacrifice and a new flagpole at Connolly Primary School. | $8,500.00 |
| WA | Jeffrey A Peirce | This project is to publish a book documenting the life stories of 60 WW1 soldiers from the South West and Great Southern Regions of Western Australia. | $10,000.00 |
| WA | Wanneroo RSL Sub Branch | This project is to create a series of educational museum displays at the Wanneroo RSL Sub-Branch Museum. | $10,000.00 |
| WA | Vietnam Veterans Assoc of Australia (WA Branch) Inc | This project is to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Battle of Long Tan through a Remembrance Service at the Vietnam Memorial Pavilion in Kings Park, Perth. | $8,500.00 |
| WA | Ardyaloon Inc | This project is to install a War Memorial honouring all fallen service members. | $9,110.00 |
| WA | Theatre 180 Inc | This project is to expand nationally the theatre production titled 21 HEARTS: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke, with performances in SA, Vic, NSW, QLD. | $139,816.87 |
| Total funding | $1,304,342.65 | ||
Media Contact:
Stephanie Matthews (Minister Keogh's Office) (0407 034 485)
DVA Media: media.team@dva.gov.au
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides 24/7 free confidential crisis support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families on 1800 011 046 or the Open Arms website. Safe Zone Support provides anonymous counselling on 1800 142 072. Defence All-Hours Support Line provides support for ADF personnel on 1800 628 036 or the Defence Health Portal. Defence Member and Family Helpline provides support for Defence families on 1800 624 608.