Community War Memorials Fund 2017 to 2023/24

This checklist has been prepared as a guide to the key requirements of an application for the CWMF. You may need to undertake additional steps relevant to your particular project.

• Read and understand the CWMF Program Guidelines. 
• Read the NSW Government’s Caring for our war memorials guide.
• Research the history and background of your war memorial, including any heritage listings it may have.
• If you are not the owner of the war memorial, consult with the owner to obtain their endorsement for your application. The CWMF defines the owner as the entity who owns or manages the land on which the war memorial is located, or the building in which it is housed, also known as the landowner. 
• Preview the application form on the OVA SmartyGrants website to familiarise yourself with the questions and the format before starting your application. You will likely need to consult with people within your organisation and project team for their input on some questions.
• For applications for funding to undertake physical conservation works to a memorial, obtain heritage specialist advice to understand its condition and conservation requirements, such as a condition assessment. You should also give the advice/assessment to the contractors who are preparing quotes for your physical works (see below). Note: You can also apply to the CWMF for funding to obtain heritage advice.
• Obtain detailed quotes from all consultants/contractors for all elements of the proposed work, which include a clear breakdown of costs, proposed methodologies, and materials. Also ask them for evidence of their skills, experience, and qualifications.
• Consult with the memorial’s key stakeholders, such as the local council and/or council’s heritage advisor, and the local RSL sub-Branch. Note: If your war memorial is located on council-owned or managed property, or is listed as a local heritage item, you must consult with council prior to applying to the CWMF.
• Ensure the war memorial is listed on the NSW War Memorials Register.
• Take new, high-quality photos of the war memorial, which show areas related to your project. We recommend you read the NSW Government's Guidelines for photographing war memorials.
• If your organisation does not have an Australian Business Number (ABN), fill out a Statement by a supplier form from the Australian Taxation Office website.

About the applicant organisation

• The applicant organisation must be one of the types listed above (This list is also in the Program Guidelines). 
• The applicant organisation must be based in NSW.
• The applicant organisation must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or can provide written advice from the Australian Taxation Office that no withholding tax is required from the grant payment.
• The applicant organisation must be financially solvent.
• The applicant organisation must have acquitted all previously awarded CWMF grants. Note: An exemption may be requested for this criterion if your previous CWMF grant is not due for acquittal yet. You can provide details in the ‘Additional and/or missing information’ section of the application form.
• The applicant organisation must have or must be willing to obtain appropriate insurance if they are successful (see the 'Insurance' section of the Program Guidelines).

About the war memorial/s

• The project relates to an existing war memorial, which commemorates Australia’s military heritage. Reminder: The CWMF supports projects for existing war memorials. Applications cannot be submitted for the construction of new war memorials.
• The existing war memorial must be located within the State of NSW or, if located outside NSW, it must be of direct and substantial relevance to the State.
• The war memorial can be located on public land, for example in a public park OR ​​​​the war memorial can be located on private land but must either be:
  • used for commemorative services, for example at a Anzac Day community event, or
  • easily accessible by the general public, for example be visible from the street, or in a building that has regular opening hours
• The war memorials must be listed on the NSW War Memorials Register or must have been submitted to the Register for recording before the closing date of the round. Note: If your memorial is not currently listed on the Register, please contact the Register by email at war.memorials@veterans.nsw.gov.au.

About the project

• Applications to the CWMF must align with and be submitted under 1 of the below category descriptions and your application must include the mandatory supporting documents listed below.

Category A - Engaging heritage or other relevant specialists (such as engineers) to produce reports relating to the repair, protection and/or conservation of existing war memorials. Applications for producing reports must be accompanied by:

• a quote from a consultant to produce the report
• photos of the war memorial

Or

Category B - Physical works relating to the repair, protection and/or conservation of existing war memorials. Applications for physical works must be accompanied by:

• a quote from a contractor for each element of the proposed work
• photos of the war memorial

For more details about what is required in your application, see ‘Preparing your application’ section of the Program Guidelines.

• Applications must be for work that has not already started or been finished.
• Applications can request a maximum of $10,000 (excl. GST), except in the following situations:
  • Applications for work to improve the accessibility of war memorials, such as access ramps, can request a maximum of $2,000 (excluding GST).
  • Applications for necessary work to conserve significant trophy guns can request a maximum of $10,000 (excluding GST). Subsequent grants will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
  • Where a strong case can be made for funds up to $15,000 (excluding GST) that can be determined by the State War Memorials Committee. Note: refer to the ‘Grant Amount Request’ questions in the application form.

The State War Memorials Committee uses the below criteria when conducting their assessments of eligible applications:

• The project aligns with the priorities of the CWMF and its objective to protect, conserve, and repair war memorials in NSW to support community commemoration.
• The applicant has demonstrated the project has a clear and sound project rationale and is reasonably likely to succeed in achieving its stated aims, based on the planning they have undertaken, the proposed resources they are accessing, the expertise they have sought, and the delivery mechanisms they propose to implement.
• The applicant has provided large and clear photographs that show the condition of the war memorial and the need for the proposed works.
• The applicant has demonstrated they have undertaken an appropriate level of stakeholder consultation and they have the endorsement of the owner of the war memorial.
• The applicant has demonstrated the proposed work is consistent with best practice conservation principles and processes by seeking heritage specialist advice (or the application is for funding to obtain advice).
• The applicant has engaged or intends to engage a contractor or specialist with suitable skills and experience to undertake the work, such as a specialised conservator, and has provided supporting evidence, such as quotes or reports.
• The applicant has demonstrated the current condition of the war memorial, or its surroundings, is poor or very poor and this condition is negatively impacting its meaning, use, or functionality.
• The applicant has demonstrated the current condition of the war memorial, or its surroundings, poses a threat to public safety, where applicable.