Floral wreaths at Queanbeyan Cenotaph on Anzac Day 2021. Photo: Trisha’s Sports Photos.
War memorials in the region will get a facelift in the latest round of funding being made available as part of the NSW Government’s Community War Memorials Fund.
Local community groups, RSL sub-branches, schools and councils are being encouraged to apply for funding of up to $10,000 to support the repair, protection and conservation of war memorials across the region.
In announcing the funding, which opened on Anzac Day 2021, Member for Monaro John Barilaro said the Cooma Cenotaph, the Bombala RSL Sub-Branch and the Bungendore War Memorial had previously been able to give their war memorials a spruce up.
“After COVID-19 forced cancellations of Anzac services last year, it was great to see communities come together once again at war memorials across the Monaro to pause, reflect and say thank you to our servicemen and women for their sacrifice,” said Mr Barilaro.
“The Monaro has a proud and rich history and many of our local memorials tell the story of our region. Ensuring our local war memorials are well maintained is an essential part of honouring our Anzac legacy.”
Member for Monaro John Barilaro at the Bungendore and District War Memorial on Anzac Day 2021. Photo: Supplied.
Mr Barilaro said organisations – including memorial trusts, veteran groups and local councils – could apply for the grants to assist with projects such as conservation assessments; honour roll repair; war memorial cleaning and conservation work; arborist advice for war memorial trees; security measures for memorials; repairs to war memorial halls; and improvements to the accessibility of memorials.
The NSW Government established the Community War Memorials Fund in 2008 to help repair and protect war memorials across the state.
Two application rounds are run each year, which open on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day. The current round closes on 26 July.
NSW Minister for Veterans Geoff Lee said maintaining the state’s 3200 war memorials is key to the NSW Government’s Veteran Strategy.
“These spaces reflect our diverse veteran community and unite us across generations,” he said.
“Veterans have told us recognition of service is important to them so the NSW Government will continue to support initiatives such as this grant program.”
Groups can apply for grants from the Community War Memorials Fund on the NSW Veterans Affairs website.
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