GRANTS TO COMMEMORATE CENTENARY OF ARMISTICE

COMMUNITIES across the country are set to receive almost $320,000 under the Armistice Centenary Grants Program to develop 50 projects to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice of the First World War.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the round of grants had been designed to support local projects and activities which appropriately acknowledge the end of the war 100 years ago.  

“The response from the community to the Armistice Centenary Grants Program has been overwhelming and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is working to process applications as soon as possible,” Mr Chester said.

“The high level of interest in commemorating this important date in our history is a true testament to the success of the Anzac Centenary 2014–18 and I have no doubt these projects will create a lasting legacy of remembrance.”

Under the program, every electorate in Australia is eligible to receive up to $50,000 to commemorate Australia’s wartime history and the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.

“Examples of successful projects and activities include the installation of monuments, exhibitions and displays; upgrades to existing memorials to include gardens and landscaping; and the development of educational resources such as themed films and publications,” Mr Chester said.

“In Victoria, in the electorate of Bendigo, $9,091 has been committed to a local project to undertake an Armistice Day Re-Enactment of the events that occurred on 11 November 1918.

“In the NSW electorate of Robertson, $17,424 has been provided for the purchase of 16 uniforms to be worn by locals in parades and commemorative services which pay tribute to First World War service men and women and the Armistice Centenary.”

Details of the first 50 community projects are listed below, with more successful grant recipients to be announced over the coming months.