Saluting the service of local veterans

The Hon Matt Keogh MP
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel

“Lest we forget” are the words we say as a nation to remember the sacrifice of those who have served in our nation’s uniform. 

Local war memorials, historical sites and museums are the physical embodiment of making sure Australians all over don’t forget. 

These local monuments are sacred places that preserve our military history, our national story, stories of those who have served in decades past, a place to pay our respects.

Thanks to the Australian Government’s Saluting their Service program, 68 community organisations across the country will share in more than $750,000 in funding to honour Australia’s veterans through locally delivered projects and activities.

The Saluting their Service program supports communities recognise those who have served our nation in war, conflict and peacekeeping operations, while preserving our military history.

To find out more or apply for a grant, visit https://www.dva.gov.au/about/overview/consultations-and-grants/grants-and-bursaries/saluting-their-service-sts-commemorative-grants-program.

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MEDIA NOTE: Minister Keogh made this announcement today alongside Kate Chaney, Member for Curtin. Minister Keogh and the Member for Curtin had the opportunity to visit The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Society of WA’s Leighton Battery Site. Photos available on request.  

Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program 2023 24, Round 1

NEW SOUTH WALES

Recipient

Funding description

Amount $

Colo Vale Community Association Incorporated

Install commemorative bricks and outdoor speakers.

$128

Community Aquatics Pty Ltd

Install memorial picnic tables and umbrellas at Community Aquatics facilities.

$10,000

Eugowra Promotion and Progress Association Incorporated

Restoration and replacement of a war display showcase, mannequins and stationary.

$4,796

George Cross Falcons Club Incorporated

Install an eternal flame at the Maltese ANZACS First World War Honour Roll.

$3,000

Gwydir Shire Council

Purchase lockable display cabinets for donated military memorabilia.

$8,887

Headquarters 1st Australian Task Force Association

Upgrade of the Headquarters 1st Australian Task Force Association’s website.

$2,000

Iluka History Group Incorporated

Install a brass plaque at the Iluka Soldiers Memorial Hall to celebrate their centenary.

$805

Manildra Preschool Early Learning Centre Inc.

Install flagpole and garden at Manildra Preschool.

$2,000

Mediality Pty Ltd

Publish a 110 Australian War Stories eBook Collection.

$71,700

Medowie Christian School Limited

Install a new flagpole and memorial garden at Medowie Christian School.

$2,445

NSW Government Schools

Install a new flagpole on the site of Corrimal East Public School.

$2,000

Rous Mill and District Memorial Hall Inc.

Restore an Honour Board at the Rous Mill and District Memorial Hall.

$10,000
The City of Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch

Install new flagpole at City of Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch.

$2,000

Install plaque at Christ Church Cathedral in Newcastle

$2,500

Vietnam Veterans' Peacekeepers' and Peacemakers' Association of Australia Central Coast

Host a commemorative service to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

$3,740

Wingecarribee Shire Council

Launch an exhibition acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the end of Vietnam War.

$10,000
TOTAL

$136,001

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Recipient

Funding description

Amount $

Royal Victoria Regiment Association Inc.

Replace vandalised plaque commemorating the 5th Australian Infantry Battalion

$3,250

The Royal Australian Artillery Association (Northern Territory) Inc.

Restore M3 Grant Medium Tank at the Darwin Military Museum

$10,000
TOTAL

$13,250

QUEENSLAND

Recipient

Funding description

Amount $

Beenleigh and District Sub-Section Naval Association of Australia Queensland Section

Restore Naval artefacts outside Beenleigh RSL.

$7,000

Cairns RSL Sub Branch (Queensland Branch) Inc.

Create a documentary on the Vietnam War featuring Cairns and North Queensland.

$29,500

Centenary Suburbs RSL (Queensland Branch) Sub Branch

Host an event to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

$1,050

Guardian Angels School Parents and Friends Association

Install lighting at Guardian Angel School Memorial space in Wynnum.

$10,000

Gympie South State School

Renovation and improvement of the memorial at the Gympie South State School.

$8,345

Macleay Island RSL Sub Branch (Queensland Branch)

Install plaque with information about Lone Pine at Macleay Island School.

$2,640

National Servicemen’s Association of Australia (Queensland) Inc.

Install and dedicate a park in the grounds of the Bribie Island RSL.

$10,000

No. 37 Squadron (RAAF) Association

Publish A4 coffee table book commemorating RAAF C-130 Hercules history.

$4,400

Warwick RSL Sub-Branch (Queensland Branch) Incorporated

Restore and refurbish the war memorial precinct in Warwick, QLD.

$10,000

Yeppoon RSL Sub-Branch (Queensland Branch) Incorporated

Host a dinner to commemorate 50th Anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

$3,440
TOTAL

$86,375

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Recipient

Funding description

Amount $

Corporation of the City of Port Augusta

Restore and replace commemorative plinths.

$10,000

Cowell RSL Sub Branch Incorporated

Construct a memorial walking trail in Cowell, SA.

$10,000

Dutton Park Incorporated

Restore the Soldiers Memorial Gardens, Kapunda, South Australia.

$10,000

Echunga RSL Sub-Branch

Replace pergola covering Echunga RSL Memorial Walkway and commemorative plinths.

$9,860

Hope Forest Residents Association Incorporated

Install a new memorial in Hope Forest, SA.

$1,000

Keith and District Hospital Incorporated

Install three flagpoles at the Keith and District Hospital.

$2,000

Military Vehicle Preservation Society of South Australia Incorporated

Install a gun from the ship Protector (1884) at the National Military Vehicle Museum.

$6,000

Port Pirie RSL Sub Branch Incorporated

Install memorial signage and storyboards in Port Pirie, South Australia.

$3,510

Robe RSL Sub Branch

Install two commemorative bench seats in Robe, South Australia.

$10,000

RSL Care South Australia Incorporated

Install display cabinets at the Romani aged care facility in Murray Bridge.

$10,000
TOTAL

$72,370

TASMANIA

Recipient

Funding description

Amount $

Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade

Restore QF 25 pounder gun on the Cambridge Memorial, Tasmania.

$8,360

Department for Education, Children and Young People

Install two flagpoles at Riana Primary School.

$1,425

South Arm RSL Sub Branch Inc.

Install two new memorials in South Arm Memorial Park, TAS.

$10,000
TOTAL

$19,785

VICTORIA

Recipient

Funding description

Amount $

3rd Cavalry Regiment (Vietnam) Association Inc.

Construct a new Cenotaph on the Tongala Avenue of Honour in Victoria.

$10,000

Bolinda Primary School

Install two flagpoles at Bolinda Primary School.

$2,000

Campbells Creek Primary School

Install three new flagpoles at the front of the school’s Guildford Campus.

$2,000

Dandenong Ranges RSL Sub-Branch Inc.

Install flagpoles at Dandenong Ranges RSL, Victoria.

$2,000

Deakin University

Publish digital oral histories of Korean War service.

$32,321

Fort Queenscliff Museum Inc.

Restore the Boer War Roll of Honour board at the Fort Queenscliff Museum, Victoria.

$4,400

Greater Shepparton City Council

Restore Honour Boards from the Tallygaroopna Memorial Hall, Victoria.

$3,300

Lal Lal Catchment Landcare Group

Establish a Vietnam Memorial Garden in the Lal Lal Anzac Memorial Park, Victoria.

$3,987

Lilydale RSL Sub-Branch Inc.

Publish stories entitled ‘From Korea to Kuwait. The Shire of Lilydale's Wartime Service’.

$10,000

Loch Primary School

Install three flagpoles at Loch Primary School.

$2,000

Longford Primary School

Install three flagpoles at Longford Primary School, Victoria.

$2,000

Mallacoota and District Historical Society Inc.

Restore the exterior of the Mallacoota Bunker Museum.

$10,000

Seymour RSL Sub-Branch Inc.

Install a medals display board at the Seymour RSL hall.

$4,000

Shepparton RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated

Restoration and upgrade of the Shepparton and District War Memorial.

$10,000

The Scout Association of Australia Victorian Branch

Install plaques on Scout Group seats commemorating the Bombing of Darwin.

$9,748

Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Victorian Branch

Publish stories of former classmates of Royal Military College Class of 1963.

$7,500

Westernport Oberon Association Incorporated

Install display depicting the Fleet Air Arm at the Victorian Maritime Centre.

$8,810

Willow Grove Primary School

Install flagpoles and undertake landscaping works.

$2,000

Woodend RSL Sub-branch Inc.

Woodend RSL Sub-branch Inc.

$2,000

Yarra Hills Secondary College

Install new flagpoles at both campuses of Yarra Hills Secondary College.

$2,000
TOTAL

$130,066

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Recipient

Funding description

Amount $

Campbell Primary School

Install nurse artwork in the ANZAC Memorial Garden.

$478

Greek Australian RSL Incorporated

Construct a Battle of Crete memorial in Perth.

$150,000

N Class Destroyers Association Western Australia Branch

Install a flagpole at the HMAS Nizam Memorial Cairn and Wall.

$2,000

Shire of Dardanup

Create short videos of local wartime memories in Dardanup, Western Australia.

$5,675

St Anthony's Greenmount School

Install flagpoles and Aboriginal totem poles.

$7,000

The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation Incorporated

Install memorial plaques for nine Indigenous First World War soldiers at Kings Park Honours Avenue

$5,000

Military Vehicle Preservation Society of South Australia Incorporated

Install a gun from the ship Protector (1884) at the National Military Vehicle Museum.

$6,000

The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Society of WA Inc.

Develop and expand the Leighton Battery heritage site in Perth.

$125,520

Western Australia Branch of the Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc.

Purchase materials to make 10 wreaths for commemorative services.

$500
TOTAL

$296,173