COMMUNITY groups and organisations in Central Queensland planning to conduct commemorative activities for the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day can apply for Federal funding.
Grants of up to $10,000 will be available under an expanded Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants program, according to the Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry.
Expanding the scheme has placed a focus on World War II and and later wars, conflicts and peace keeping operations, she said.
The guidelines allow a diverse range of projects to be funded, including documentaries, digital projects, and podcasts as well as community memorials and preservation of wartime memorabilia.
"It is important that future generations of Australians learn about the critical role of our service personnel and these grants will help groups in the Central Queensland community to commemorate their local servicemen and women," Ms Landry said.
"Victory in the Pacific Day marked the end of the Second World War - a war that impacted the lives of so many Australians.
"We should never forget that nearly one million Australians served in the Second World War. Of these, more than 39,000 died and another 30,000 were taken as prisoners of war."
"I encourage groups in Capricornia to consider making an application for a project that commemorates our local Second World War history."
Minister for Veteran and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the expanded funding would allow communities to stage their own commemorative service, or look at other creative ways to mark Victory in Pacific Day in their home town.
"These projects will leave a lasting legacy in communities and educate the next generation so that the memory of Australian service men and women will live on," Mr Chester said.
Applications for the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants program are now open on the Community Grants Hub (https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/) and close on March 31.
Alan Welburn
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
