Wednesday, 27 April 2016
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall is urging groups across the region to apply for individual grants up to $60,000 to preserve important pieces of local military history and put them back on display.
Mr Marshall said the state government’s new $1 million funding package was available to upgrade or install war memorial plaques and refurbish community halls used by veterans groups.
“While we are in the middle of a four year commemoration of the Centenary of ANZAC it is appropriate to dedicate our efforts to conserving and improving important military history that will ensure the legacy of our diggers lives on,” Mr Marshall said.
“I urge local RSL sub-branches, community groups and councils to apply for projects to ensure our region’s servicemen and women continue to be remembered.”
Mr Marshall said examples of how the grants could be used include plaques at places of historical significance in the state’s wartime efforts, or restoration and display of honour roles with the names of men and women who fought and died in war.
“I know there’s so much important military history in our villages and towns that has fallen into disrepair or been targeted by vandals and is in danger of being lost,’’ he said.
“The state government is committed to preserving and displaying our military history, so that the bravery and sacrifice shown by so many in the past can been seen and reflected upon by generations to come.’’
The allocation of $1 million comes from uncollected gaming prize money and will be administered by Liquor & Gaming NSW in consultation with the NSW Branch of the RSL of Australia and the Office of Veterans Affairs.
It is anticipated applications will open in May and an independent panel will assess the projects and make recommendations to Government.
Further details including how communities can lodge expressions of interest for funding will be published on the Liquor & Gaming NSW at www.liquorandgaming.justice.nsw.gov.au
The funding is in addition the NSW Community War Memorials Fund which provides grants of up to $10,000 to help repair, conserve and restore war memorials across the state.