FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch has welcomed funding for Pandanus Park War Veterans Retreat for the restoration of the park’s memorial site.
The grant has been awarded under the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service grants program.
“I’ve been a supporter of the Pandanus Park for many years and I know it plays an important role in the community. It provides veterans with a peaceful, rural space to socialise and reflect and it commemorates the contributions and sacrifices they and other servicemen and women have made,” Mr Entsch said.
“The memorial is important as those who have served our nation, and those who continue to serve, should be remembered and appropriately honoured.
“The hard work and dedication of organisations such as Pandanus Park also ensures that our local history is preserved.”
President of the Pandanus Park War Veterans Retreat, Peter Hannah said the funding will enable the park’s memorial site to be enjoyed by future veterans.
“As we’re mainly self-funded with the help of volunteers, the grant makes restoring our memorial site financially viable. With the funding and the help of some local tradies we’ve been able to install a beautiful new memorial.
“The park receives over a thousand guests per year, and it provides a beautiful location for veterans of all conflicts to kickback and relax in a safe and supportive environment.”
This project is one of 66 Saluting Their Service grants recently announced by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Dan Tehan.
Local community organisations interested in applying for funding under the Saluting Their Service grants program are encouraged to visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) website www.dva.gov.au/grants or call DVA on 133 254 or 1800 555 254 from regional Australia.