The NSW Government established the Community War Memorials Fund in 2008 to help conserve, repair and protect war memorials across NSW. Applications opened on Anzac Day and closed on Tuesday 25 July.
There are more than 3700 war memorials in NSW many of which provide a place for people to gather and remember those who have served from their local community.
Funds will be awarded directly to local councils, schools and community organisations in 10 electorates spanning metropolitan and regional areas including:
- $10,000 to Bellingen Shire Council for conservation work to the Urunga War Memorial
- $10,000 for the Christ Church War Memorial Gates in Gladesville
- $10,000 to Coolah District Development Group Inc for conservation work to the Coolah War Memorial School of Arts.
Since the establishment of the program in 2008, grants have been provided for a wide range of projects including condition assessments, honour roll repair, war memorial cleaning and conservation work, arborist advice for war memorial trees, security measures for memorials, repairs to war memorial halls and improvements to the accessibility of memorials.
Round 2 of the program opens on Remembrance Day, Saturday 11 November 2023.
For more information and details of the fund go to the Veterans Affairs website.
Minister for Veterans, David Harris said:
“Our communities are proud of their military history, and local war memorials are a vital part of our culture enabling us to reflect on over 100 years of our veterans’ service and sacrifice.
“It is wonderful to announce this funding, which will be used to give our war memorials much-needed attention so they can continue to honour our veterans who have served our community.
“I encourage all communities to review the status of their local war memorials and to apply for funding for eligible conservation work that is needed, after Remembrance Day.”
Mayor of Bellingen Shire Council, Councillor Steve Allan said:
“Thank you to the NSW Government for this funding which will go towards the staged restoration of the Urunga War Memorial.
“Cenotaphs own unique values and hold space to the importance of the history of regional areas both as a community and for individual families.
“They remind us of the sacrifices made by earlier generations to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. Council is pleased to be able to undertake conservation works to help protect this memorial for years to come.”
Jeremy King from the Anglican Parish of Gladesville said:
The Christ Church War Memorial Gates in Gladesville will also benefit from conservation work. Mr Jeremy King from the Anglican Parish of Gladesville acknowledged the benefits to the memorial thanks to the funding.
“This funding will help preserve and restore the memorial gates, a significant historical feature of the Gladesville streetscape and a tribute to those who served in the First World War.”
Round 1 of the Community War Memorials Fund 2023-2024
| Organisation name | Project description | Amount funded |
|---|
| Anglican Church Property Trust Diocese of Sydney | Christ Church War Memorial Gates, Gladesville | $10,000 |
| Barkers Vale Public School | Barkers Vale District War Memorial | $9450 |
| Bellingen Shire Council | Urunga War Memorial | $10,000 |
| Blayney Shire Council | Millthorpe War Memorial Gates | $8921 |
| Blue Mountains City Council | Wentworth Falls War Memorial | $4950 |
| Coolah District Development Group Inc | Coolah War Memorial School of Arts | $10,000 |
| Mallanganee Hall Public Land Manager | Mallanganee Memorial Hall | $9979 |
| Northlakes High School | Northlakes High School War Memorial | $3500 |
| Shoalhaven City Council | Nowra Soldiers Memorial | $8107 |
| Shoalhaven City Council | Nowra Mafeking Boer War Memorial | $11,627 |
| Shoalhaven City Council | Kangaroo Valley Soldiers Memorial | $15,000 |
| Shoalhaven City Council | Berry War Memorial | $14,905 |
| Tocumwal War Memorial Hall | Tocumwal War Memorial Hall | $7800 |
