More than $1 million in grant funding is being shared among community organisations across Australia in recognition of the country’s veterans and to preserving the nation’s military history.
It comes as part of the federal government’s ‘Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.’ So far, the grants have been awarded to more than 80 community groups, ex-service members associations, school and councils.
Matt Keogh, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel said that the grants “provide much needed funding to organisations committed to honouring the service and sacrifice of our defence personnel and preserving our military history”
He noted that the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee based in Melbourne has received a significant grant to produce a documentary entitled ‘ANZACS: The Greek Chapter’, which tells the story of Anzac personnel and their efforts in Greece during the Second World War.
The funds are being handed out to facilitate projects that commemorate the service and sacrifice of ADF veterans.
“This year, Australia is also commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of our involvement in the Vietnam War, I encourage any organisations thinking about conducting a commemorative project to mark the anniversary to make an application,” Mr Keogh added.
Member for Wills, Peter Khalil congratulated the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee on their receipt of the funding.
He said the upcoming documentary will bring to life a lesser-known chapter of Anzac of the Anzac story.
“The film will feature veteran video interviews and audio recordings to tell the important story of Australians and New Zealanders who served in Greece and the subsequent Battle of Crete in April and May 1941”
“I know that this project means so much to the family members of veterans who served in Greece as well as the broader Greek-Australian community,” he concluded.
The program offers two categories of grants:
Community Grants up to a maximum of $10,000 are available for local, community-based projects and activities.
Major Grants between $10,001 and $150,000 are being made available to major commemorative projects with broad significance from a national or regional perspective.
Josh Burns, Member for Macnamara says that war memorials like the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial at Albert Park create a sacred place for the community to pay its respects.
“Lest we forget’ are the words we say to remember the sacrifices made by those who have served our county in our armed forces. These three words, commit us as individuals, and as a nation to never forgetting the cost of war and our ongoing commitment to peace,” he said.
Applications for the ongoing ‘Saluting Their Service’ grants program are currently open, for more information or to submit an application visit the GrantConnect website at https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=4af8948b-377f-43ee-a48c-aecccd6cb520
