Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA099e
Thursday, 26 November 2009
$102,000 FOR PROJECTS TO HONOUR AUSTRALIA’S VETERANS IN NSW
Thirty-six local organisations across New South Wales received a financial boost today with the
announcement of $102,176 in funding approved by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan
Griffin, for projects honouring Australia’s wartime heritage.
Mr Griffin said the funding is part of the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service
Commemorative grants program to help communities across the nation honour and
commemorate our wartime history.
“The grants will fund local activities and initiatives that recognise the service and sacrifice of
Australians who have served in wars, conflicts and peace operations,” Mr Griffin said.
“Today, the Government is announcing funding for a range of projects including restoring and
displaying wartime memorabilia, upgrading community war memorials, purchasing association
banners and holding commemorative events.
“In particular, helping regional and rural communities across Australia maintain their places of
remembrance is an important function of this grants program as these memorials play a central
role in honouring local sons and daughters who have served the nation.
“Commemorative activities in local communities play a major role in encouraging Australians –
especially younger Australians – to learn about our wartime experiences and provide an
opportunity for veterans to share their stories.
“Australia has a proud wartime history that has been part of the lives of so many Australian
families. The Government remains committed to honouring those who have served and
continue to serve, ensuring their legacy is remembered for generations to come.”
Mr Griffin encouraged local community and ex-service organisations interested in applying for
metropolitan callers) or 1800 555 254 (for non-metropolitan callers).
Editors note: A list of grant recipients from New South Wales is attached.
Media inquiries: Belinda Cole 0437 863 109
The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a
week on 1800 011 046.
To receive the Minister’s media releases automatically by email subscribe at minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
Saluting Their Service grants New South Wales recipients
Norfolk Island RSL Sub-branch will receive $1280 to help purchase a display case to house
and exhibit an escape hatch from an RAAF 38 Squadron Caribou aircraft in the club’s
military memorabilia area.
Kurri Kurri RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help purchase display cabinets to house
wartime memorabilia at the club.
Brunswick Heads and Billinudgel RSL Sub-branch will receive $2240 to help install a display
case and secure gun display board at the club to exhibit wartime memorabilia.
The Royal Australian Navy Band Association will receive $2648 to help restore the band’s
parade drums used during the Second World War, for use at special commemorative
occasions.
Woy Woy Ettalong Hardys Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive $1320 to help replace the
wooden flagpole at the club for use on days of commemoration.
The Fairmile Association will receive two grants: $4000 to help install a memorial dedicated
to the Fairmile ships of the Royal Australian Navy at the Ship Memorial Precinct at RAN
Fleet Base East, Garden Island; and $1545 to help hold a plaque dedication service.
Merriwa RSL Sub-branch will receive $1050 towards a ceremony held in October
commemorating the 95th anniversary of the formation of the Light Horse Regiment.
The Illawarra Sub-branch of the National Servicemen’s Association will receive $4000 to
help upgrade and restore the Illawarra National Servicemen’s Memorial in Wollongong.
Batlow RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help replace the tiling around the Batlow War
Memorial to improve safety for visitors.
Doyalson-Wyee RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help upgrade the Doyalson-Wyee
War Memorial by installing a glass fence and lockable gate to improve security.
The Operations Pilgrimage Group will receive $3000 towards a dedication ceremony held at
the National Maritime Museum on 11 November to commemorate the bell from the Krait,
which went missing in 1944 and was rediscovered in Queensland in 2008.
Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces will receive $3000 towards a
ceremony held in August commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Binh Ba at the
war memorial in Springwood.
The Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution will receive two grants: $1892 to help install a
flagpole at the Leeton Aged Care Facility; and $1114 to help install a flagpole at the Glen
Innes Aged Care Facility, for use on days of commemoration.
Riverina Vietnam Veterans Reunion will receive $3000 towards a reunion held on 7
November at the Wagga Wagga RSL commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Battle of
Binh Ba.
Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society will receive $480 to help replace the deteriorated
First World War Honour Board currently located at the Murrumburrah Folk Museum for
permanent display at the Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society rooms.
Moree Public School will receive $1804 to help restore the school’s honour roll which lists
the names of students who served during the First World War.
The Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia will receive $4000 to help install an Australian
Naval Aviation honour roll in the memorial garden at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Nowra
Hill.
Young Historical Society will receive $410 to help restore two cabinets at the Lambing Flat
Folk Museum to display wartime memorabilia.
The Shoalhaven Sub-branch of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $1982 to help
transfer naval wartime memorabilia currently stored on VHS tapes to DVDs to preserve the
footage.
United Service Club will receive $3000 to help purchase five lockable display cabinets to
preserve and exhibit a collection of antique and veteran rifles dating from 1871 to the First
World War.
Merriwa RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help replace the uneven concrete and gravel
surrounding the Merriwa War Memorial to improve safety for visitors.
Ashfield RSL Sub-branch will receive $1100 to help replace the concrete border surrounding
the memorial to improve safety for visitors.
Chatsworth Island and Iluka RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help refurbish the Iluka
War Memorial including cleaning the memorial and installing lighting to deter vandalism.
Pottsville RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help install a nominal roll in Anzac Park,
Pottsville, listing the names of those from the district who have served in wars and conflicts.
Canley Vale Public School will receive $4000 to help restore a First World War honour board
at the school.
Narooma RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help replace the clock on the Narooma RSL
and Citizens War Memorial in the town centre.
St Joseph’s School Woodburn will receive $1000 to help students undertake a research
project with local veterans to mark the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Royal
Australian Air Force presence in Evans Head.
Coffs Harbour RSL Sub-branch will receive $1750 towards a ceremony and luncheon held in
July commemorating Indigenous veterans.
Lane Cove 12 Foot Sailing Skiff Club will receive $2500 to help refurbish the honour board
at the club in Longueville which lists the names of members who served in the Second
World War.
Illawong Public School will receive $2930 to help create a commemorative garden and install
a plaque at the base of the school’s flagpole dedicated to veterans from the district.
Taree Gardens Social Committee will receive $300 to help install a flagpole in the grounds of
the Taree Retirement Village for use on days of commemoration.
Parkes RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help restore the Parkes War Memorial and
improve security.
Gunnedah RSL Sub-branch will receive $4000 to help relocate and refurbish the Breeza
War Memorial which is currently located on a busy highway, to ensure the safety of the local
community when attending commemorative ceremonies.
Manly Warringah Pittwater RSL District Council will receive $8531 to help apply a non-visible
wax coating to memorials located in Manly Warringah and Pittwater to protect them from
graffiti attack.
TS Manoora will receive $1300 to help erect a memorial wall in Taree dedicated to the Royal
Australian Navy and create a garden around the wall.
The New South Wales Police RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help publish a
biographical dictionary of New South Wales police personnel who served in the Australian
forces during 1939-1945.
NEWS 
