The Australian Government will provide funding to help community groups across Australia to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage as part of more than $800,000 in funding from the Saluting their Service (STS) Commemorative Grants Program.
Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz said new funding provided under the program will support projects that assist in ensuring locals can continue to remember our Australian servicemen and women, particularly those from the region.
“It’s important that the service and sacrifice of our local veterans is recognised and remembered through these community initiatives.
“I am proud to announce that this funding will help the project proponent, Dahlitz Media to develop a publication and online portal that details the history of our Royal Australian Air Force number 9 and 12 Squadrons, from the Second World War through to their disbandment.
“I know that Matt, the CEO of Dahlitz media and his team are very committed to this project and are going to be working very hard to capture the strong RAAF history in our region and that of the now disbanded number 9 and 12 squadrons,” Mr Buchholz said.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said communities across Australia are proud of their military history, our local veterans who have served our nation and their families who have supported them.
“Our local communities recognise the importance of commemorating and honouring the contribution of our servicemen and women and all that they have done for our nation,” Minister Gee said.
“Whether it be restoring the HMAS Diamantina in Queensland, installing a flag pole in a school’s Anzac memorial garden or helping our local museums display wartime memorabilia, this funding will help ensure that our local communities and our nation never forgets the men and women who have served Australia.
“It’s encouraging to see so many applications for funding in this round for such a wide range of projects, both big and small.”
CEO of Dahlitz Media, Mathew Dahlitz said the funding was very welcome news.
“9 Squadron Association and ourselves have tried unsuccessfully for a few years now to get funding to complete this project.
“This funding will go a long way in finishing the project and installing a legacy history site for 9SQN and much needed momentum to do the same for 12SQN. You can see our starting point here https://raafdocumentary.com/ – this will be the home of the timeline, history, and video content that we produce.
Mr Dahlitz welcomed input from community members who had information or memorabilia they would like to contribute to the project and archiving of RAAF history.
A full list of successful applicants is detailed below. For further information on the next round of STS grants visit the Community Grants Hub website.
