Local projects commemorate the legacy of service
The Hon Matt Keogh MP
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel
Seventy-seven community groups, schools, local governments and ex-service organisations around the country will share in some $1.41 million through the latest batch of the 2024-25 Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.
This funding has been awarded to a range of projects designed to commemorate our military history and ensure the legacy of Australia’s veterans is preserved for generations to come.
Grants awarded include the refurbishment of memorial gardens to enhance spaces of reflection and remembrance, and the restoration of community memorials such as the ex-HMAS Tobruk anchor at the Dandenong Ranges RSL, which will become the centrepiece of all services and events.
The projects not only honour past service and sacrifice but also foster a greater understanding of our country’s military engagements throughout history, until the present day.
The Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program is an ongoing program that promotes greater understanding of the role of service personnel and their experience of service.
The 2025-26 Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program is currently open for applications. For more information about the program, including applying for the current round please visit the STS Grants website.
List of Recipients
Australian Capital Territory
| Recipient | Project/purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Armourers Association | This project is to commemorate all Armourers who have served with the Australian Air Corps, Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. | $4,515.00 |
| Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans' Association Ltd. | This project is to create a documentary on the 17 Construction Squadron UNTAG - 35 years on. | $97,600.01 |
| Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Ltd. | This project is to install a mural and commemorative garden at Mother Teresa School Primary School. | $7,385.00 |
| No. 37 Squadron (RAAF) Association | This project is to purchase and install 3 Inscribed Bronze Plaques mounted on Sandstone Plinths to mark the 50th Anniversary of HQRIC Detachment 'S' to Saigon, with an event to be held at the Australian War Memorial on 23 July 2025. | $10,000.00 |
| Woden Valley RSL Sub Branch Inc | This project is to create an immersive and interactive experience at the Veterans Support Centre to highlight contemporary service personnel and their experiences, fostering inclusivity and understanding. | $10,000.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $129,500.01 |
New South Wales
| Recipient | Project/purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Berrigan Shire Council | This project is to rotate and refresh the Tocumwal War Memorial Hall WWI Photographic Canvas Installation. | $3,100.00 |
| Black Springs Community Association Inc. | This project is for the installation of commemorative ANZAC Metal Silhouette Additions to the Black Springs War Memorial Area | $4,323.00 |
| Blaxland High School Parents & Citizens Association | This project is to create a commemorative garden and install additional plaques to the memorial wall at Blaxland High School. | $9,000.00 |
| Bourke Shire Council | This Project is to relocate a 25 Pounder Gun to Bourke Central Park adjacent to the Cenotaph. | $10,000.00 |
| City of Penrith Returned and Services League Sub Branch | This project is to install a commemorative plaque at the City of Penrith War Memorial to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific. | $10,000.00 |
| Curtis Kennedy Creations Pty Ltd | This project is to install a Mural on the exterior wall of the Cardiff RSL. | $10,000.00 |
| Gulgong RSL Club LTD | This project is to design and install a hand painted commemorative mural and install as automated PA system with audio recordings of the Ode of Remembrance | $6,945.00 |
| Hunter Fighter Collection Inc. | This project is to create a large-scale commemorative mural on the exterior of an historic Bellman Hangar being constructed at Scone Memorial Airport. | $34,000.00 |
| Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development Inc. | This project is to conduct interviews, storytelling sessions, and discussions with current and former service members and their families to share their experiences. | $10,000.00 |
| Inner West Council | This project is to complete the extension of the 1918 Haberfield Roll of Honour to include a newly identified additional cohort of 153 Haberfield WWI returned service personnel and casualties. | $10,000.00 |
| Khancoban United Volunteers Association Inc. | This project is to install outdoor housing to display the Honour Board that recognises local Khancoban WW1 veterans. | $3,630.00 |
| Lions Club of Ardlethan Inc | This project is to construct an ANZAC Soldier statue that will honour the districts soldiers, who served in all wars that never returned home. | $10,000.00 |
| Lochinvar Public School P&C Assoc. Inc. | This project is to install a new flagpole for Lochinvar Public School. | $2,000.00 |
| Mint Pictures Pty Ltd. | This project is to produce a 5-part prime-time documentary series on the ABC titled 'When The War is Over'. | $119,000.00 |
| Mosman Returned and Services League Sub Branch | This project is to purchase and install new display cabinets that will showcase war memorabilia, donated by the Sub branch and community members who served in war and peacetime. | $6,450.00 |
| Port Macquarie Historical Society Inc. | This project is to allow the Port Macquarie Historical Society to display their significant collection of wartime memorabilia at the Port Macquarie Museum. | $3,036.00 |
| The Return Service League of Australia Doyalson Wyee RSL Sub Branch | This project is to undertake the restoration of the Doyalson Wyee RSL War Memorial used to commemorate ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, VP Day, Korean War and MEAO Day. | $10,000.00 |
| The Returned and Services League of Australia NSW Branch (Gundagai) | This project is to construct a new memorial in Carberry Park, Gundagai that commemorates the Battle of Coral/Balmoral during the Vietnam War and the actions of Victoria Cross recipient, Private Richard Norden VC, DCM. | $150,000.00 |
| Wagga Wagga City Council | This project is to install a display case to exhibit WWI objects at the Museum of the Riverina | $12,650.00 |
| Western Riverina Arts Inc. | This project is to produce a Digital Honour Roll for veterans of Leeton and Districts (Regional NSW) for projection onto Leeton's Historic Water Towers. | $10,000.00 |
| Windang Public School Parents and Citizens Association Inc. | This project is to provide and install three flagpoles at Windang Public School. | $2,000.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $436,134.00 |
Queensland
| Recipient | Project/purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Battalion the Royal Australian Regiment Association Inc | This project is to publish a Warriors who have passed publication of all veterans who have served with the 2nd Battalion. | $3,500.00 |
| Curra Community Hall Management Committee Inc | This project is to build a war memorial in Curra. The memorial will consist of a flagpole and a large rock plinth with individual brass plaques for each service. | $4,200.00 |
| Gympie West State School | This project is to install a new flagpole at Gympie West State School at their POW memorial. | $2,000.00 |
| Keinjan Elders Aboriginal Corporation | This project is to create a digital Honor roll to commemorate the service and sacrifice of those service persons from the Keinjan, Bidjara and Kambuwal people who served in WWI. | $7,500.00 |
| Maryborough Military Aviation Museum Association Inc. | This Project is to install 12 picture panels of military personal at the Maryborough Airport of those who served at RAAF Station Maryborough during WWII. | $10,000.00 |
| 9th Battalions Association Inc | This project is to install new display cabinets to showcase the valuable artefacts held by the 9th Battalions War Memorial Museum. | $9,500.00 |
| Picnic Creek State School | This project is to construct an Anzac memorial garden at Picnic Creek State School, Coomera, QLD. | $10,000.00 |
| Returned and Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Springwood Tri Services Sub Branch | This project is to add two new plaques to the RSL Memorial Wall plus purchase of wreaths and an eternal flame. | $1,724.30 |
| Returned Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Darra & District Sub Branch Inc. | This project is to restore the Memorial Wall at the Cementco Bowls Club. | $4,654.00 |
| Returned Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Seaforth Sub Branch | This project is to install a flagpole at Seaforth Memorial Park. | $1,507.00 |
| The Bloomsbury Soldiers' Memorial Hall Assoc. Inc | This project is to restore the southern wall and roof at the Bloomsbury War Memorial Hall that has been damaged due to water ingress into the timber frame. | $10,000.00 |
| The Davleen Sports Club Inc. | This Project is to identify the Dalveen soldiers not included on the original Dalveen WWI honour board unveiled in 1921. Creation of a virtual memorial to all Dalveen WWI veterans through the Southern Downs Military History website. | $9,750.00 |
| Townsville City Council | This project is to fund the Victory in the Pacific (VP80) event in Townsville, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the end of WWII in the Pacific. | $150,000.00 |
| Yelarbon Anzac Day Committee | This project is to digitise the identities and local connections of Yelarbon's WWI Veterans. | $9,750.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $234,085.30 |
South Australia
| Recipient | Project/purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stansbury Sub Branch Returned and Services League of Australia Inc | This project is to restore and remount a 25 Pounder field gun. | $10,000.00 |
| The Blackwood & District War Memorial Hall Inc. | This project is to supply and install a flagpole and associated groundwork and paving at the Blackwood and District War Memorial Hall | $7,000.00 |
| The Flinders Ranges Council | This project is to restore a WWI 95mm Smooth Bore Gun and signage located at the Quorn War Memorial. | $4,085.00 |
| The National Trust of South Australia | This project is to refurbish and replace nine brass memorial plaques dedicated to veterans from the Beechwood area who served in WWI, WW2, Korean War, and Vietnam War. | $8,209.00 |
| The Returned & Services League (Gumeracha & District) Sub-Branch Inc. | This project is to gyprock and paint the wall on which the Honour Boards are displayed at the RSL. | $3,419.00 |
| The Returned & Services League Kingston South East Sub Branch | This project is to replace the commemorative plaques at the Reedy Creek RAAF Anson AW678 Crash Site Memorial. | $7,920.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $40,633.00 |
Tasmania
| Recipient | Project/purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Ronald Morrison (Mainly Maritime) | This project is to mount an exhibition of Royal Australian Navy memorabilia related to the second world war for display at the Mainly Maritime Museum St Helens, Tasmania. | $10,000.00 |
| Lenah Valley RSL Sub Branch Inc. | This project is to purchase display cabinets to display various items of Military Service and RSL service | $8,998.00 |
| South Riana Hall Committee Inc. | The project is to install protective bollards around the South Riana War Memorial Wall and Gates in South Riana, Tasmania. | $10,000.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $28,998.00 |
Victoria
| Recipient | Project/purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Geoffrey Hill | This project is to restore a KJ379 aircraft and aims to return the only operational RAF L-5 to flight, commemorating its war time service. | $150,000.00 |
| Airforce Association Ballarat | This project is to purchase a display cabinet for WW2 Airforce Wireless/Navigator uniform located at the Ballarat Airport, headquarters of Airforce and display the Navigator uniform of a trainee of No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School Ballarat. | $3,078.00 |
| Beaconsfield Progress Association Inc. | This project is to produce and install 4 bronze plaques commemorating 88 Service Men and Women from World War II from Beaconsfield Victoria. | $8,476.00 |
| Cyberstronomy Pty Ltd | This project is to produce a podcast series and supporting academic papers that explore the role of the Australian 1st Tunnelling Company on the Western Front during WWI. | $9,299.00 |
| Dandenong Ranges RSL Sub-Branch Inc. | This project is to display an ex-HMAS Tobruk anchor at the Dandenong Ranges RSL, this will be the centrepiece of all services and events. | $10,000.00 |
| Fairhills High School | This project is to install a flagpole at Fairhills High School to use for assembly and commemorative events. | $2,000.00 |
| Inglewood/Bridgewater RSL | This project is to restore the marble soldier on top of the cenotaph of the Inglewood War Memorial. | $1,193.00 |
| Kithbrooke Park Residents Club Inc. | This project is to upgrade the Kithbrooke Park War Memorial to be suitable and safe regardless of the weather conditions. | $4,000.00 |
| Monbulk Primary School Council | This project is to install 3 flagpoles at Monbulk Primary School. | $2,000.00 |
| Pinarc Disability Support Inc | This project is to undertake the restoration of the William Dunstan VC Memorial Garden. | $7,800.00 |
| Portarlington & St Leonards RSL Sub Branch Inc. | This project is to create a mural on the walls surrounding the RSL courtyard. | $7,902.00 |
| Seymour College | This Project is to create a Memorial Garden at Seymour College that will serve as a reflective space honouring service and sacrifice. | $6,629.75 |
| Shrine of Remembrance Trustees | This project is to create an exhibition titled "Animal Heroes" which will explore the role of animals in war, and the Australian Defence Force personnel who are responsible for training and handling these animals. | $150,000.00 |
| The Gentleman's Wargame Club Inc | This project is to create a display at the tabletop gaming event, commemorating Australian Service from Colonial through WWI, WWII and Vietnam including vehicles and equipment. The event will take place at Kensington Town Hall in Victoria. | $1,550.00 |
| The Scout Association of Australia Victorian Branch | This project is to re-establish and enhance their Lone Pine tree in a memorial/reflection garden at their Caringal Scout Camp in Caringal. | $8,300.59 |
| Warrnambool City Council | This project is to restore the base of a historic cannon racer at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, ensuring safety for use in ceremonies, cultural events, and public display. | $7,100.00 |
| Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch Inc. | This project is for the development of the Warrnambool RSL Precinct (building and surrounds) as a major attraction and information and dining centre revealing the military history of South West Victoria and Australia. | $10,000.00 |
| Werribee RSL Sub Branch Inc. | This project is to display donated items of memorabilia from Werribee Region veterans who served Australia and its allies in wars, conflicts and peace operations. | $8,289.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $397,617.34 |
Western Australia
| Recipient | Project/purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bedingfeld Park Inc | This project is to create an ANZAC Mural at Bedingfeld Park aged care home. | $10,000.00 |
| City of Albany | This project is to undertake Stage 3 of the final of 'Hidden Stories of the Fortress Linking the Anzac Spirit' this will address the museum mis-matched displays and exhibits. | $54,870.00 |
| Department of Education - Warnbro Community High School | This project is to landscape a commemorative Fallen Soldier Memorial Garden at Warnbro Community High School. | $10,000.00 |
| Naval Association of Australia WA Section Inc. | This project is to restore the HMAS Sydney II Memorial and Memorial Plaques at Carnarvon, West Australia. | $12,888.00 |
| Neville Browning OAM | This project is to publish a book showcasing the History of the 45th Battalion AIF in WW1. | $10,001.00 |
| Returned & Services League Greenbushes Sub branch | This project is to install a memorial, flagpole and contemplative bench adjacent to the refurbished Greenbushes RSL dedicated to local men, women and animals who enlisted and served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. | $8,950.00 |
| Returned Services League City of Cockburn Sub Branch | This project is to upgrade the memorial within the Sub Branch grounds through landscaping, cast iron statues, and flagpoles. | $7,000.00 |
| SAS Historical Foundation | This project is to create a Garden of Reflection Memorial Wall by creating an artwork with an appropriate image on perforated steel plates. | $10,000.00 |
| Shire of Bridgetown Greenbushes | This project is to purchase and instal an Etched Service Personnel Memorial Stone at the Bridgetown Cemetery. | $10,000.00 |
| Shire of Plantagenet | This project is for new reflections area with plinth, and brass plaques and restore steel plaques at the base of trees at the Mount Barker War Memorial. | $10,000.00 |
| SUB TOTAL | $143,709.00 |
| TOTAL | $1,410.676.65 |
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