Veteran service honoured through local grants
The Hon Matt Keogh MP
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel
Community organisations across the nation will receive funding from the Australian Government to deliver projects honouring our nation’s veterans and safeguard Australia’s military history.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said an impressive range of projects would receive funding under the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.
“The Australian Government is providing over $400,000 to more than 50 community organisations who have come forward with proposals dedicated to commemorating the service and sacrifice of our service personnel, veterans and families,” Minister Keogh said.
“It is encouraging to see communities employing new technologies in the ways they commemorate the service of veterans.
“One veteran support organisation, Carry On, will be funded to publish an e-book about its 90-year history.
“The Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch is receiving funding to restore a Second World War artillery piece and other equipment.
“In South Australia, the Waikerie RSL Sub-Branch is planning to produce a state-wide oral history program and photographic exhibition to commemorate service personnel.”
The Saluting Their Service grants program ensures Australia’s wartime history is preserved and the sacrifice of those who have served during wars, conflicts and peace operations is remembered.
“The spirit of commemoration is alive and well across the country, we’ve seen a great range of applications from ex-service organisations, local councils, schools and historical societies.” Minister Keogh said.
Saluting Their Service is an ongoing national grants program and applications for the next round are now open. To submit your application or find further details please visit the Saluting Their Service page on the GrantConnect website.
A full list of successful grants can be found in the tables below.
Media contacts
Stephanie Mathews (Minister Keogh’s Office): +61 407 034 485
DVA Media: media.team@dva.gov.au
Authorised by The Hon Matt Keogh MP.
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
Saluting Their Service (STS) Commemorative Grants Program 2022‑23
Batch 1
| Electorate | Recipient | Funding description | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra | Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans' Association Limited | Install 14 plaques across Australia to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Australian Peacekeeping. | $17,050 |
| TOTAL | $17,050 | ||
| Electorate | Recipient | Funding description | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calare | Manildra Public School Parents and Citizens Association | Purchase and install a new flagpole at Manildra Public School. | $2,000 |
| Cowper | Stuarts Point RSL Sub-Branch | Upgrade the Stuarts Point War Memorial. | $10,000 |
| Farrer | Rotary Club of Tocumwal Incorporated | Commission a series of interpretive signs along the Tocumwal Creek Walk to provide information on the Tocumwal Women's Australian Air Force Auxiliary Force base. | $58,181 |
| Wakool Memorial Walk Action Group Incorporated | Install two park benches along the Wakool Soldier Settlers Memorial Walk to commemorate service personnel who lived in Wakool and the surrounding district. | $8,835 | |
| Macquarie | Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces Incorporated | Hold an event at the Springwood War Memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Australia’s withdrawal from the Vietnam War. | $8,000 |
| Newcastle | City of Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch | Restore a Second World War Howitzer Gun, naval anchor and aircraft propeller. | $10,000 |
| Page | Grafton RSL Sub‑Branch | Install two memorial park benches in Grafton Memorial Park. | $6,962 |
| Parkes | National Servicemen's Association of Australia NSW Branch Incorporated | Construct a new War Memorial in Moree Anzac Park to commemorate those who lost their lives whilst serving in the Vietnam War. | $10,000 |
| Riverina | Kooringal Public School | Construct a Memorial Garden at Kooringal Public School to commemorate the service and sacrifice of all Australian service personnel. | $10,000 |
| Parkes RSL Sub‑Branch | Display three wartime artworks in the Parkes Services Club. | $3,500 | |
| Warringah | 2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion AIF Association | Develop a website to provide information on the 2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion AIF. | $1,745 |
| TOTAL | $129,223 | ||
| Electorate | Recipient | Funding description | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solomon | The Royal Australian Artillery Association (Northern Territory) Incorporated | Commission two concrete pads at the Darwin Military Museum to display a Second World War Bailey Bridge and Cletrac Tractor. | $7,636 |
| TOTAL | $7,636 | ||
| Electorate | Recipient | Funding description | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blair | Kilcoy Golf Club Incorporated | Install a flagpole at the Kilcoy Golf Club. | $2,000 |
| Brisbane | The Corporation of the City of Tabernacle | Publish a book to commemorate local Second World War service personnel and enable reprints of the related First World War publication. | $7,681 |
| Fadden | North Gold Coast RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated | Manufacture 30 metal poppies to honour students from Coomera State Primary School who served in the First and Second World Wars. | $3,976 |
| Griffith | Naval Association of Australia Queensland Section | Restore the mast of the HMAS Swan for display adjacent to the Queensland Maritime Museum. | $9,590 |
| Groom | Toowoomba United RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated | Construct a new memorial in the Toowoomba Memorial Park Precinct to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australian service personnel since 1972. | $10,000 |
| Herbert | Townsville Maritime Museum Limited | Install a plaque at the site of the former HMAS Magnetic naval base to provide information about the site and commemorate those who served during the Second World War. | $5,000 |
| Maranoa | Blackall RSL Sub-Branch | Add the name of five locals who served in the First World War, and correct the spelling of an existing name, on the Blackall Cenotaph Roll of Honour. | $1,185 |
| Bollon Primary Parents and Citizens Association | Install a new flagpole at Bollon State School. | $1,999 | |
| Moreton | Yeronga Dutton Park RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated | Install nine interpretive signs along the Yeronga Community Veterans’ Memorial Walk to provide information on all wars, conflicts and peace operations Australia’s service personnel have been involved in. | $9,900 |
| Oxley | Naval Association of Australia (Navy Women Queensland Sub-Section) Incorporated | Purchase frames to display medals and badges belonging to two Second World War veterans who formed the Naval Association of Australia Sub-Section. | $850 |
| Wide Bay | Murgon RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated | Install five cast bronze plaques in a Murgon Memorial Park to commemorate those who have served in wars and conflicts since the Vietnam War. | $7,250 |
| TOTAL | $59,431 | ||
| Electorate | Recipient | Funding description | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | Headquarters 1st Australian Task Force Association | Construct a memorial along the Adelaide Pathway of Honour to commemorate those who served in Headquarters 1st Australian Task Force who died whilst serving in the Vietnam War. | $7,268 |
| Hilton RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated | Purchase two cabinets for installation at the Hilton RSL to display wartime memorabilia. | $7,227 | |
| Barker | Waikerie RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated | Conduct a state-wide oral history program and photographic exhibition to commemorate service personnel from South Australia. | $42,850 |
| Boothby | Colonel Light Gardens RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated | Replace the Centenary of Anzac plaque at the Colonel Light Gardens RSL and Community Club. | $2,100 |
| Grey | Cleve Area School | Install a new flagpole to display the Aboriginal flag at Cleve Area School. | $2,000 |
| Curramulka Community Club | Upgrade the Curramulka Soldiers Memorial Park. | $10,000 | |
| Port Pirie RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated | Install four podium style storyboard signs at various locations around Port Pirie to update the Port Pirie Military Trail. | $3,568 | |
| Mayo | Macclesfield RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated | Purchase three portable flagpoles for use at community events. | $1,485 |
| Spence | Gawler RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated | Commission a mural on the external wall of the Gawler RSL Sub-Branch depicting images from all major Wars and conflicts. | $3,880 |
| TOTAL | $80,378 | ||
| Electorate | Recipient | Funding description | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braddon | Wynyard RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated | Purchase cabinets and mannequins for installation at the Wynyard RSL Museum to display uniforms and military memorabilia. | $9,694 |
| Lyons | Westbury RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated | Construct a panorama of wall-mounted commemorative steel silhouettes and accompanying bench seat at the Westbury RSL Club to commemorate locals who served in the Vietnam War. | $6,050 |
| Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Tasmania Incorporated - Launceston Sub-Branch | Install three memorial bench seats at various locations nearby Lake Sorell. | $9,600 | |
| TOTAL | $25,344 | ||
| Electorate | Recipient | Funding description | Amount $ |
| Corio | Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia - Victorian Branch Incorporated | Install a plaque at the North Geelong Avenue of Honour to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of Australian involvement in the Vietnam War. | $3,977 |
| Dunkley | Kananook Primary School | Create a Memorial Garden at Kananook Primary School. | $7,500 |
| Seaford Primary School | Construct a new War Memorial at Seaford Primary School. | $4,500 | |
| Skye Primary School | Construct a new War Memorial at Skye Primary School. | $4,500 | |
| Flinders | St Joseph's School Sorrento | Install two flagpoles at St Joseph’s Primary School Sorrento. | $2,000 |
| Gellibrand | Maritime Trust of Australia Incorporated | Purchase mannequins to display Second World War Naval uniforms at the HMAS Castlemaine Museum Ship. | $4,092 |
| Gippsland | Port Albert Maritime Museum Incorporated | Create a new exhibition at the Port Albert Maritime Museum featuring firsthand accounts from local veterans and wartime memorabilia. | $9,988 |
| Goldstein | Sacred Heart School Sandringham | Install a new flagpole flag at Sacred Heart School in Sandringham. | $2,000 |
| Indi | Bruarong Community Centre Incorporated | Restore two honour boards located at the Bruarong Community Centre, create an accompanying text panel and complete a chapter on the history of local service personnel. | $5,586 |
| Jagajaga | Montmorency Primary School | Install a flagpole at the Montmorency Primary School. | $2,000 |
| Kooyong | Carry On (Victoria) | Publish an e-book about the history of the veteran support organisation, Carry On, to coincide with its 90th anniversary. | $10,000 |
| Mallee | Manangatang RSL Sub‑Branch | Install a commemorative seat in front of the Manangatang RSL Hall to commemorate the service and sacrifice of all Australian service personnel. | $3,642 |
| Monash | Drouin Cemetery Trust | Install a chain fence around the Remembrance Garden at Drouin Cemetery. | $968 |
| Nicholls | Numurkah RSL Sub‑Branch | Install a new plaque at Bearii Community Hall listing the names of locals who served in the First and Second World Wars. | $5,000 |
| Wannon | Portland RSL Memorial Bowling Club Incorporated | Install a new flagpole at the Portland RSL Memorial Bowling Club. | $2,000 |
| Terang RSL Sub-Branch | Purchase six cabinets for installation at the Terang RSL Hall to display military memorabilia. | $10,000 | |
| TOTAL | $77,753 | ||
| Electorate | Recipient | Funding description | Amount $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Mother Teresa Catholic College | Construct a Memorial Garden at Mother Teresa Catholic College to commemorate those who have served for Australia. | $5,000 |
| Forrest | Harvey and Districts Historical Society | Purchase four cabinets for installation at the Harvey Museum to display wartime memorabilia and uniforms. | $10,000 |
| O'Connor | Collie-Cardiff RSL Sub‑Branch | Design a website to provide information on Collie’s military history. | $5,000 |
| Pearce | Bethanie Group Incorporated | Install a flagpole at the Bethanie Beachside Retirement Village in Yanchep. | $2,000 |
| TOTAL | $22,000 | ||