LEICHHARDT residents are being urged to speak out about how they want to commemorate the Centenary of Anzac, with Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch today launching $100,000 in funding for local projects.
“The Centenary of Anzac (2014-2018) stands to be one of the most important commemorative periods in our history,” explained Mr Entsch.
“Even though there are not be any WWI veterans still with us, many Australian and Leichhardt families have strong links to our first Anzacs and the impact of this conflict was felt by every community.
“This will certainly be a very poignant occasion for the descendants of those diggers.”
More than 330,000 Australians served overseas during the First World War, including 50,000 at Gallipoli and 295,000 on the Western Front. Nearly 62,000 Australians lost their lives, with more than 8,700 killed at Gallipoli.
Last month, the Australian Government announced the creation of an Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program (ACLGP). This program will provide $100,000 for each federal electorate, to enable and empower communities across Australia to commemorate the Centenary of Anzac in their own way.
“Here in Leichhardt we have some very special military history from the Catalinas that were based in Cairns during WWII, to the story of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion and the remarkable tale of the AE2 submarine, which visited Cairns before being sunk during the Gallipoli campaign,” Mr Entsch said.
Warren Entsch launches the Centenary Grants Program with committee members Richard Stoker (Douglas Shire Historical Society) and Jodie Duignan (General Manager Cairns Campus JCU).
Organisations being urged to apply for a funding grant include community and ex-service organisations, schools and other educational institutions, museums and cultural institutions, local government authorities and other non-profit community organisations.
There is a broad scope for the projects, which can include public commemorative events, new First World War memorials or honour boards, the restoration of existing First World War memorials or honour boards, the preservation and display of First World War memorabilia and relevant school projects.
A key element of the program is the establishment of a Centenary Grants Committee in each electorate.
“The Electorate Committee’s role will be to help me in seeking the views of the community on how best to commemorate the Centenary,” Mr Entsch said. “They will also assist me in looking over all applications before they are submitted to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
“I’m very pleased to welcome on board the following representatives:
Mr Richard Stoker Historian/Archivist Douglas Shire Historical Society
Mrs Jodie Duignan General Manager Cairns Campus James Cook University
Cr Steve Brain Division 1 Councillor – Cairns Regional Council
Mr Jim Fay Secretary/Treasurer Cooktown RSL Sub-Branch
Mr Phil Warwick Committee Member Cairns RSL Sub-Branch
“The Committee members bring a wide range of experience and perspectives to this project and I’m really looking forward to working with them,” Mr Entsch said. “I’m hoping that we’ll get ideas put forward from all around Leichhardt.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity to remember those who fell and celebrate the enduring spirit of Anzac.”
Applications will open on 31 May 2013 and close on 28 February 2014, with grant funding available from 1 July 2013. For further information on the project,
– Click here to download a copy of the guidelines
– Click here to download a copy of the application form
Applications should be returned to Mr Entsch’s office:
– Drop into the Cairns Electorate office – MacDonnells Building, 102 Grafton St, Cairns
– Drop into the Thursday Island Electorate office – Douglas St, Thursday Island
– Email to warren.entsch.mp@aph.gov.au
– Post to PO Box 14, Bungalow, QLD 4870
