Recognition and respect at their final resting place
The Hon Matt Keogh MP
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel
For more than a century Australians have worked tirelessly to commemorate the stories of those who have served our nation, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Around 270,000 Australians returned home after serving in the First World War. Many were later laid to rest without a grave marker that declared their service.
The Albanese Government can today announce almost $107,000 in funding has been allocated to nine organisations to mark the graves of 182 First World War veterans under the 2024-25 round of the Marking (First World War) Private Graves Grants Program.
The program was developed to ensure First World War veterans who lie in ‘unmarked’ graves receive the respect and recognition that they deserve.
Successful applicants will receive a one-off funding contribution of up to $620 per grave to install a commemoration, such as a new plaque or grave marker, to recognise First World War service personnel who returned home and passed away of causes unrelated to their war service.
These commemorations honour the service and sacrifice of First World War veterans in their final resting place.
It is an honour to support the work of groups and individuals across Australia who are committed to ensuring the bravery and sacrifice of our nation’s First World War veterans is remembered—and that their legacy endures.
Through this round of the Marking (First World War) Private Graves Grants Program, an additional 143 veterans were deemed eligible for official War Grave status and commemoration by the Repatriation Commission. Their service will be recognised with a Commonwealth War Grave commemoration installed at the site of interment, paid for and maintained in perpetuity by the Australian Government.
See the below for the full list of grant recipients:
| Grantee | State | Cemetery | Number of private grave markers | Funding approved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forgotten Diggers Inc | NSW | Goulburn General Cemetery | 1 | $620 |
| Macquarie Park Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| Sandgate Cemetery | 18 | $11,160 | ||
| Woronora Memorial Park | 1 | $620 | ||
| Individual grantee | NSW | Casino Lawn Cemetery | 1 | $620 |
| Australian Remembrance Army | QLD | Lutwyche Cemetery | 84 | $46,864 |
| Individual grantee | QLD | Gympie Cemetery | 1 | $620 |
| Longreach Archival & Historical Research Group Inc | QLD | Longreach Cemetery | 2 | $594.90 |
| Friends of Toowong Cemetery | QLD | Toowong Cemetery | 42 | $26,040 |
| The Headstone Project (SA) Inc | SA | Kadina Cemetery | 2 | $1,240 |
| Wallaroo Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| Peterborough Cemetery | 6 | $3,720 | ||
| Balaklava Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| Kersbrook Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| Tailem Bend Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| Macclesfield Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| Hawker Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| Coromandel Valley Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| Caltowie Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| Currency Creek Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| Terowie Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| Clare Cemetery | 2 | $1,240 | ||
| Quorn Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| The Headstone Project (TAS) Inc | TAS | Queenstown Lyell | 7 | $4,340 |
| The Headstone Project Victoria Inc | VIC | Queenscliff Cemetery | 2 | $1,240 |
| Warringal Cemetery | 1 | $620 | ||
| Total | 182 | $106,978.90 |
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