The Boomi War Memorial Hall Committee members Peter Vukovich, left, and Lola McDonald received a welcome $10,000 grant from Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, centre, today to restore the Memorial Arch.
Wednesday, 13 January 2021
THE prominent commemorative arch at the front of Boomi War Memorial will be restored this year, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announcing the monument will receive $10,000 from the State Government’s Community War Memorials Fund.
Mr Marshall said the entry arch and fence at the front of hall would undergo significant improvements ahead of the building’s centenary.
“This year marks 100 years since Boomi War Memorial Hall was built to remember the many locals who served in the Great War,” Mr Marshall said.
“Following World War 2, a striking stone entry arch and fence was added to the front of the hall by returned servicemen, in recognition of their sacrifice.
“This grant will righten the granite fence posts, which over time have developed a lean and put strain on the archway structure.
“The chains, which run along the top of the fence, will be repainted, as will the inscription of ‘Lest We Forget’ inscribed across the face of the arch.
“The Boomi community is planning a large public event to recognise the hall centenary this year and it will be very special for the descendants of those who served to have the building and its surrounds looking their absolute best.”
Mr Marshall said applications were now open for the latest round of the Community War Memorials Fund.
“Conservation projects at existing war memorials throughout the Moree Plains Shire are considered for a grant of up to $10,000 as part of the latest round,” he said.
“With many of these sites close to a century old their restoration and maintenance is often not cheap for the volunteer memorial trusts, veteran groups and local councils that look after them.
“Groups interested in applying are advised to seek conservation advice before planning physical memorial work, unless the application is to engage a qualified specialist.”
Works funded through this program include conservation assessments, honour roll repair, war memorial cleaning and conservation work, arborist advice for war memorial trees, security measures for memorials, repairs to war memorial halls and improvements to the accessibility of memorials.
Applications are now open and close at 5pm on 11 February 2021.
For more information and to apply, visit www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/