The Allan Labor Government is keeping the legacy of Victorian veterans alive for future generations, by maintaining memorials and upgrading community buildings right across the state.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced that the RSL Winchelsea Memorial Sub Branch will receive more than $49,700 under the Veterans Capital Works grant program for their Winchelsea Memorial Grandstand Upgrade Project.
The Winchelsea and District Soldiers Memorial (1914-1918) Grandstand Upgrade Project will improve the building’s safety and accessibility with an upgraded entry ramp, provide greater functionality and uplighting of the front façade.
Home to the RSL Winchelsea Sub Branch for over 100 years, the project is of great importance to the RSL members, veterans and their families and to the broader community.
The Labor Government is delivering $890,000 worth of grants to 34 community groups. The grants will support local organisations to conserve and maintain war memorials, honour rolls, update sites to reflect veteran service, and improve facilities and buildings in every corner of Victoria.
The Veterans Capital Works Program supports building and facility improvements for not-for-profit organisations, with this round of grants investing in 20 organisations across the state.
The Australian Catholic University will receive funding to create Victoria’s first-ever dedicated veteran students and family hub which will support veterans in their university studies, while Woodend RSL Sub-Branch will receive funding to upgrade their facilities.
The Restoring War Memorials and Avenues of Honour Program is available to community groups to conserve and maintain war memorials, honour rolls and avenues of honour.
Fourteen organisations will receive funding under this program, including Ballan RSL Sub-Branch to restore the historic Barrys Reef WW1 Avenue of Honour, and Boroondara City Council to engage a conservation expert to assess the needs of the St James Memorial.
The Labor Government has made record investments of more than $60 million over the last four years that support and recognise veterans and their families.
These investments include the groundbreaking Veterans Card Victoria, the Veterans Employment Strategy, and the Recognition of Prior Learning Pilot in partnership with Wodonga TAFE.
For a full list of grant recipients and veteran grant programs, visit veterans.vic.gov.au/grants.
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“It’s incredibly important that we continue to honour and remember the service and sacrifice of veterans in our region.”
“I commend the RSL Winchelsea Memorial Sub Branch for their important work supporting veterans across the community.”
“This project once completed will make the lives of our veterans in Winchelsea a bit easier, which is something they have well and truly earned.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman
“We’re restoring and upgrading memorials and community building – to preserve the stories, history and value of Victorian veterans and their loved ones.”
