Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton presented three Certificates of Appreciation to Kamala Wheeler to recognise the military service of her father Eric, grandfather Hugh and great uncle Charles.

Local veterans recognised

It was an honour to present Certificates of Appreciation to the family of Charles Leonard Johnston, Hugh Alfred Johnston and Eric George Johnston on Wednesday.

Even though they are no longer with us, it’s lovely to have this memento to pass onto future generations, to remember the role they played in various conflicts.

Thank you to each of these men for their sacrifice and service.

We are grateful for the dedication and sacrifice demonstrated by our veterans’ service to Australia, and it’s important to recognise this.

Certificates of Appreciation are available for veterans who have served overseas in Australia’s Defence Forces during the Second World War and in wars, conflicts or peacekeeping operations since, or on the home front during the Second World War.

Veterans, or family members of a deceased eligible person, are invited to apply for a certificate. Applications can be submitted to any of my offices or via email to mark.coulton.mp@aph.gov.au .

More information about Certificates of Appreciation, including the guidelines and an application form, is available at www.dva.gov.au/recognition/certificate-appreciation or by calling 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

Inland Rail Community Sponsorships

Eligible organisations are invited to apply for grants between $1,000 and $4,000 though the Inland Rail’s Community Sponsorships and Donations program.

The program supports community-initiated projects, events or activities, which:

• Are one-off and short-term;
• Contribute to the community’s wellbeing, prosperity and/or sustainability;
• Focus on one or more of Inland Rail’s priority areas of culture, safety, environment, recreation and, entrepreneurism; and
• Align with the core values of Inland Rail.

Further information about this program can be found at: https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/opportunities/sponsorships-and-donations/

2024 ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant

Applications are now open for the 2024 ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant.

As an extension to the ABC’s annual Heywire Competition and Regional Youth Summit, the Innovation Grant is an opportunity for communities to act on the issues raised by our young people with the support of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).

The 2024 Heywire issues impacting young Australians are:

• Bussin’: How might we create more accessible transport options for young people in regional and rural communities?
• MEE (Mentoring Educating Empowering): How might we close the gap in accessing quality education for young people in regional, rural and remote communities?
• A Place for You: How might we improve accessibility to mental health services in remote and regional areas of Australia?
• The Bigger Picture: How can we empower young people in regional towns to celebrate their differences and foster connection among themselves?
• Safe Sphere: How might we ensure that young people in regional and remote communities receive relevant and comprehensive sexual education?
• Youth 2 Grassroots: How might we promote a stronger connection between individuals and their land by fostering a culture of environmental protection and stewardship?

Grants of up to $10,000 are available for communities to act on these issues by either adopting or adapting one of these six project ideas.

Applications close 29 May 2024, with funding announced from August.

To find out more, including how to apply, visit: https://frrr.org.au/funding/people/heywire-youth-innovation-grants/