Honouring their service, remembering their sacrifice
The Hon Matt Keogh MP
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel
Thirty-six organisations across Australia will share in more than $575,000 of funding under Batch 2 of the 2024-25 Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.
The funding will support 30 community-based projects and six major initiatives, all aimed at commemorating the service and sacrifice of Australia’s veterans and families and promoting and preserving Australia’s wartime heritage.
These grants are not just about preserving history – they’re about strengthening the bind between local communities and the legacy of our veteran community.
The 30 community grants will help fund initiatives such as installing flagpoles to proudly fly our nation’s flags, establishing gardens for moments of quiet reflection, and creating commemorative murals that encourage people to learn the stories of their local communities.
The six major grants will support larger-scale efforts, such as significant memorial refurbishments, museum exhibits, and archival projects that showcase the rich history of Australia’s wartime heritage.
The diverse submissions reflected the many stories of Australia’s service personnel, and the communities committed to preserving their legacy.
The 36 projects share a common goal: to ensure veterans’ and families’ stories are shared and continue to resonate with Australians of all ages.
Since its inception, the grant program has funded projects across the nation, enabling communities to honour their veterans in innovative and lasting ways.
Grant funding of $3.5 million is being offered in 2024-25 financial year across two categories – Community Grants (up to $10,000) and Major Grants (between $10,001 and $150,000).
A full list of Batch 2 recipients is listed in the below.
Batch 3 applications closed on 5 February 2025, with the outcome expected to be announced later this year.
For more information, visit the DVA website.
2024-25 Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program (Batch 2) recipients
New South Wales
| Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Appin War Memorial NSW Inc. | This project is to install a new Appin War Memorial including three pillars, with silhouettes of service personnel alongside the rising sun badge and poem excerpts from ‘In Flanders Fields'. | $10,000.00 |
| Edmund Rice Education Australia Flexible Schools Ltd | This project is to install a flagpole and landscaping of a memorial garden at the college. | $4,000.00 |
| Gloucester Sub-Branch, RSL Australia (NSW Branch) | This project is to add an additional plaque, commemorating the service of people during the Cold War, to the existing Gloucester Memorial Park. | $4,918.00 |
| Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group | This project is to create an art exhibit of the 42 Australian service personnel awarded the United States Silver Star to be showcased at two galleries in Shoalhaven. | $10,000.00 |
| Lane Cove Municipal Council | This project is to relocate the Lane Cove cenotaph to allow the local community to use it during commemorative events. | $10,000.00 |
| Merriwa RSL Sub-Branch | This project is to install three benches of remembrance, including ANZAC style laser cut designs, at the Merriwa RSL Memorial Garden. | $9,890.00 |
| Port Botany Operations Pty Ltd | This project is to construct a memorial dedicated to the Merchant Navy at Molineux Point, Port Botany. | $11,200.00 |
| Returned and Services League of Australia (NSW Branch) | This project is to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day at The Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney. | $3,543.00 |
| Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle trading as the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Schools Office | This project is to install three flagpoles at St Brigid's Primary School. | $2,000.00 |
| Wagga Wagga City Council | This project is to complete remediation of the Wagga Wagga Honor Roll and Eternal Flame at the Victory Memorial Gardens. | $147,425.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $212,976.00 |
Northern Territory
| Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Royal Australian Artillery Association (NT) Inc. | This project is to refurbish five artillery public display pieces at the Darwin Military Museum and install further educational information for visitors. | $9,500.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $9,500.00 |
Queensland
| Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dulacca Pioneers Memorial Halland Progress Assoc Inc. | This project is to complete restoration work on the Dulacca War Memorial. | $10,000.00 |
| Glenwood State School | This project is to install four flagpoles, a memorial garden and a memorial wall with signage at Glenwood State School. | $9,800.00 |
| Queensland Rugby Union Ltd | This project is to construct a memorial garden with three flagpoles for national flags and a plaque with the names of all Queensland representative rugby union players who have served in wartime, including the 11 who were killed in action. | $10,000.00 |
| Redlynch State College | This project is to paint a commemorative mural on a prominent wall in the Redlynch State College. | $5,000.00 |
| The Returned and Services League of Australia (Qld Branch) Salisbury Sub-Branch Inc. | This project is to update the Salisbury RSL Memorial Park cenotaph garden beds and restore the park signage. | $9,000.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $43,800.00 |
South Australia
| Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Parrakie War Memorial Hall Inc. | This project is to replace a flagpole and update a memorial plaque at the Parrakie War Memorial Hall. | $7,070.00 |
| Loxton Community Heritage Group Inc. | This project is to publish a revised, updated and coloured edition of the ‘Street Names of Loxton’. The book tells the story of the street names in Loxton that have a military background. | $8,943.00 |
| Returned and Services League Murray Bridge Sub-Branch and Bowling Club Inc. | This project is to create a commemorative 'Pathway of Honour' as an extension to the memorial at Murray Bridge. | $73,500.00 |
| Returned and Services League (Coonawarra-Penola Sub-Branch) Inc. | This project is to paint a mural on a street-facing wall of the Coonawarra-Penola RSL building. | $5,940.00 |
| Returned and Services League (Macclesfield Sub-Branch) Inc. | The project is to restore the Macclesfield War Memorial which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025. | $2,420.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $97,873.00 |
Tasmania
| Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Launceston Church Grammar School | This project is to install the 'Memorial Legacy Garden' at the Launceston Church Grammer School. | $10,000.00 |
| Launceston RSL Sub-Branch Inc. | This project is to install bench seating, including a laser cut poppy design, near the Launceston Cenotaph in Royal Park. | $4,700.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $14,700.00 |
Victoria
| Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arthurs Creek Primary School | This project is to install three flagpoles at Arthurs Creek Primary School. | $2,000.00 |
| Ballan Shire Historical Society Inc. | This project is to develop a new memorial which includes installation of two flag poles, and the installation of interpretive boards, as part of a larger site development project. | $10,000.00 |
| Bendigo District RSL Sub-Branch Inc. | This project is to add an interactive experience to the Bendigo Military Museum. | $136,340.00 |
| Fitzroy High School | This project is to install three flagpoles at Fitzroy High School. | $2,000.00 |
| Hillview Bunyip Aged Care Inc. | This project is to install two flagpoles at Hillview Bunyip Aged Care. | $2,000.00 |
| Northcote Primary School | This project is to install four flagpoles at Northcote Primary School as part of the school-funded landscaping works. | $1,818.00 |
| Nullawil Historical Society Inc. | This project is to preserve and frame three flags flown in the region during World War One. | $1,263.64 |
| Numurkah RSL Sub-Branch Inc. | This project is to restore the commemorative mural in Numurkah depicting local service persons from the Boer War to the Afghanistan War. | $10,000.00 |
| Roxburgh Rise Primary School | This project is to install two flagpoles and build a commemorative garden including an Australian soldier statue with 'LEST WE FORGET' engraved at its base. | $7,000.00 |
| St Thomas the Apostle Primary School | This project is to install a flagpole at St Thomas the Apostle Primary School. | $2,000.00 |
| Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub-Branch Inc. | This project is to install an additional panel on the Honour Wall at Upwey Belgrave RSL, with the names of veteran members who have passed away. | $4,607.28 |
| SUB TOTAL | $179,028.92 |
Western Australia
| Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Returned and Services League Nannup Sub-Branch | This project is to restore the wooden plinths with galvanised steel at Nannup Avenue of Honour. | $7,843.00 |
| Returned and Services League of Australia, WA Branch Inc. | This project is to restore and relocate the Bellevue Cenotaph. | $10,000.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $17,843.00 | |
| TOTAL - ALL STATES | $575,720.92 |
Media contact
Stephanie Mathews (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