Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, today announced $55,653 has been made available by the Coalition Government to support 11 local projects commemorating the service and sacrifice of Australians during the First World War.
“The Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program supports communities by providing funding for projects that preserve the stories of local servicemen and women for generations to come,” Mr Coulton said.
“I welcome the approval of the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of Anzac, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, of grants which recognise our electorate’s efforts in commemorating the Centenary of Anzac.”
“These grants will complement the wider series of commemorative activities that have been developed throughout our electorate.”
“There were many applications for funding through the ANZAC Centenary Local Grants Program and the calibre of the projects has been very high. The Centenary of Anzac Day is a special commemoration and these projects right across the Electorate will help us to remember the sacrifices that others have made on our behalf.”
A variety of projects will be undertaken by community and ex-service groups in the Parkes Electorate including:
· $1,000 for Gulgong Historical Society Incorporated: Install a secure cabinet in the Gulgong Pioneers’ Museum to display First World War memorabilia.
· $895 for Coonamble Shire Council – Museum Under the Bridge: Install a secure cabinet and storyboard holders at the Museum Under the Bridge, Coonamble, to house First World War memorabilia.
· $4,070 for Narromine Shire Council: Erect a bronze honour roll at the Trangie Memorial Hall to commemorate the servicemen and women from the district who served in the First World War.
· $1,640 for Moree RSL Sub-Branch: Purchase 75 cloth hats embroidered with the Australian Defence Force badge and issued to every ex-service person who takes part in the Anzac Day 2015 March.
· $10,000 for Pallamallawa War Memorial hall Committee: Contribute to the construction of a new outdoor war memorial including a Roll of Honour granite slab to allow Pallamallawa and district to commemorate Anzac Day and other significant military anniversaries.
· $9,100 for Narrabri RSL Sub- branch: to contribute to the erection of a new Narrabri War Memorial.
· $5,185 for Gilgandra Shire Council: To research, design, produce and install a permanent Cooee Honour Wall of the original 35 Cooees who marched from Gilgandra to Sydney in 1915.
· $7,500 for Cobar Shire Council: The project will create a travelling exhibition and a booklet focusing on local individuals from Cobar who enlisted in the First World War.
· $455 for Eumungerie-Coboro RSL Sub-branch- Display a plaque with the names of local servicemen and women who served in the First World War.
· $808 for Dubbo District Concert Band: The auditorium hire, advertising and program printing costs for a concert which will commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australian servicemen and women in the First World War.
· $15,000 for Dubbo City Council: To restore the Dubbo Cenotaph, re-patina the three bronze images, recast the bronze hinge on the safe to enable the Roll of Honour to be replaced and update the Theatre of War listing.
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson said that the Centenary of Anzac will mark a Century of Service, encompassing all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations in which Australians have been involved.
“It will be the most significant period of commemoration in our nation’s history and the Abbott Government is committed to providing opportunities for all Australians to participate.”
“The Government is committed to ensuring the Centenary of Anzac is community-focussed, enabling all Australians no matter where they live to reflect, remember and commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australians who have served their nation.”
“Across the country $125,000 has been made available to each Federal electorate for community and ex-service groups to spend on commemorative programs,” Mr Coulton said.
“I would like to thank the members of the Electorate Committee who have assisted me in developing an approach for commemorating the Anzac Centenary in the Parkes Electorate. Their hard work has made these activities, through the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Programme, a reality.
The Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program is a key element of the Australian Government’s Anzac Centenary program, more information is available at www.anzaccentenary.gov.au.
