War memorial upkeep grants announced

Community groups and ex-service organisations are invited to apply for war memorial grants as part of the state government’s Community War Memorials Fund round 2.

A total of $125,000 is available in the fund, with grant applications due by 11pm 12 February 2025.

NSW Labor Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin says it’s appropriate the grant round opening was announced on Remembrance Day.

The day is ‘traditionally a day that we gather at our local war memorials to remember and honour the men and women who have died in service to our country,’ Ms Saffin says.

‘Our war memorials are a significant part of the local history of our communities.

‘I encourage any community group or ex-service organisation to review the condition of our local war memorials and apply for funding for any necessary conservation work.

‘These grants are to help protect our memorials and ensure the service and sacrifice of our veterans is not forgotten.’

More information is available via https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/heritage/community-war-memorials-fund/.

Broken Hill’s ‘the Bomber’ to undergo conservation work

The announcement comes after the government last week announced recipients of round one, including $10,000 for the memorial known as ‘the Bomber’ in Broken Hill.

Broken Hill’s Great War Memorial by acclaimed Australian sculptor Charles Web Gilbert is the largest free-standing war memorial action sculpture in Australia.

The bronze sculpture of an Australian First World War soldier throwing a Mills bomb was unveiled by Lt. General Sir John Monash on 11 October 1925.

The Broken Hill City Council is approved for funding to carry out conservation work on the sculpture.

Minister for Veterans David Harris visited the memorial last week to announce $128,358 in grants for 15 war memorials across the state.