Community groups and organisations in Barker will be better equipped to remember the service and sacrifice of our current and former Australian Defence Force personnel thanks to the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.
Member for Barker, Tony Pasin congratulated organisations in Barker which will receive a share in $28,594 for projects commemorating our wartime history.
“Barker will join communities across Australia in benefiting from a funding boost to help commemorate the role that Australian service men and women have played in shaping the nation,” Mr Pasin said.
“These projects and activities will ensure that the service and history is captured and preserved in our local community.”
The five successful recipients in Barker under The Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grant Program were:
- Jabuk Community Hall Incorporated will receive $9,505 which will help restore and refurbish the facilities gates, plaques and surroundings as well as the installation of a flag pole in the war memorial gardens.
- The Kapunda RSL Sub-Branch will receive $6,056 which will assist in the restoration of two German trench mortars which will then be reinstalled onto two stone plinths.
- The Mannum RSL Sub-Branch will receive $10,000 to construct a new memorial in Mannum dedicated to the service and sacrifice of Australia’s military personnel.
- Palmer and Districts Community Association will receive $1,925 to assist in the replacement of an existing flagpole in Collier Park.
- Swan Reach RSL Sub-Branch will receive $1,108 which will be used to install two plaques at the Swan Reach soldiers memorial commemorating Australian service personnel who served in the Gulf War, Somalia, East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq and peace keeping operations.
“Thank you to all the community organisations who work tirelessly to ensure that our service personnel get the recognition that they deserve and thank you to all Australian service personnel for your service and sacrifice,” Mr Pasin said.
More than $2.2 million in funding was provided through this round of the Saluting Their Service commemorative grants program. The Federal Government’s election commitment saw an increase in the Community Grants cap from $4,000 to $10,000 and this batch of successful applicants will be the first to benefit from this.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the projects and activities will play an important role in educating future generations about the service and sacrifice of Australian service men and women, especially as the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War on 15 August approaches.
“Australian service men and women in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations for over a century have played a role in shaping the nation. These commemorations, projects and activities ensure their story is captured for generations to come,” Mr Chester said.
“These grants will help community groups and organisations continue their important work in commemorating our service personnel and support those projects and activities which promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service.”
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) recognises the potential impact COVID-19 may have on recipients completing their projects, with social distancing and other public health measures in place across the country. DVA is committed to working with recipients who are affected on options to continue their projects. If you are a current grant recipient and COVID-19 has impacted your project, please contact your Funding Arrangement Manager to discuss options.
A list of all successful applicants can be found below. For more information on the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program visit the Community Grants Hub (www.communitygrants.gov.au). Applications for the next round of grants are open now.
