Federal Member Aston, Alan Tudge MP today announced that funding for the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program (ACLGP) had increased to $125,000.
“The Centenary of Anzac will be the most significant national period of commemoration in our nation’s history, and the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program is an integral part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to local commemorations in Aston” Mr Tudge said.
“The Coalition Government has increased funding available for Aston by $25,000, ensuring that the local community will have up to $125,000 available to commemorate the Centenary of Anzac.”
This increase will ensure that local community-based events are at the heart of the nation’s commemorative activities.
“It is important that our community works together to ensure that we pay appropriate tribute to those locals who answered the call to serve their nation, along with many who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our values and beliefs.”
“The Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program will give our community the opportunity to honour the service and sacrifice that epitomizes the ANZAC spirit. There are many different ways this can be done – from traditional dawn services and marches of veterans, through to re-enactments of recruiting marches, school-based education programmes, refurbishing of memorials and honour boards, and the establishment of new places of commemoration and reflection.”
“The local RSLs, veteran groups, local council and myself have been working for some time on a plan to build the Knox Anzac Major Memorial, an honour roll of local armed service personnel who died serving our nation. The electorate committee that I have established, as part of the criteria of this program, has recommended $100,000 towards this project from this program leaving up to $25,000 available towards smaller projects. This committee will continue to assess applications and make recommendations to me about projects to be submitted to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for consideration
The Electorate Committee would be pleased to receive applications prior to 22nd November to enable them to assess applications received to date. The closing date to receive applications has been extended. Applications must be received by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs no later than 30 May 2014. Guidelines and applications are available at www.anzaccentenary.gov.au.
“I will ask the Committee to do everything it can to ensure that the allocated funding is shared between as many groups and commemorative events as possible.”
“I look forward to working with the community to deliver commemorations that will honour our nation’s centenary of service, and mark the nation-defining events of the Centenary of Anzac, in ways that we can all be proud of.” Mr Tudge said.
