Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead has announced that the Bulahdelah RSL Sub Branch had been awarded a grant of $10,000 from the NSW Government for works on the Bulahdelah War Memorial.

The grant was one of 21 made through the NSW Community War Memorial Fund, which supports the restoration and conservation of local war memorials in towns and suburbs across NSW.

$116,000 has been allocated in this 2014-15 funding round.

“The Bulahdelah War Memorial stands as a constant reminder of the sacrifices of our local servicemen and women who have served in overseas conflict in defence of our freedoms,” Mr Bromhead said.

“Around 130,000 men and women from NSW served during the Great War and during the Centenary of Anzac period it’s important that we appropriately commemorate local diggers from Myall Lakes who have fought to protect the freedoms and privileges we now enjoy.

“I am delighted that this funding will help to restore the Bulahdelah War Memorial and congratulate the Bulahdelah RSL Sub Branch whose members will do a terrific job on the refurbishment works.

“The funding will enable for the removal and refurbishment of bronze plaques, cleaning of bricks and pavers and the re-setting of the Balmoral red granite cross.”

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Victor Dominello said the NSW Community War Memorial Fund provided grants up to $10,000 for veterans’ groups, sports clubs and councils to undertake maintenance work on local war memorial sites.

“These grants will enable vital repair and maintenance works on plaques, honour boards and memorial facades across our towns and suburbs. It is about making sure our war memorials continue to stand proud for future generations,” Mr Dominello said.

“The NSW Government is committed to maintaining our war memorials and these grants are a small but symbolic way of honouring those who have served proudly and died in Australian Defence Force operations.

“Through these 21 projects, restoration work will occur on memorials dedicated to our fallen soldiers across the ages – from First World War through to modern conflicts in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

“We’ve been able to support some fantastic local projects, including this one in [electorate] and I acknowledge [MP name]’s strong advocacy on behalf of his/her local veterans’ community.

Grant applications to the Community War Memorials Fund are considered by a committee which includes representatives of the RSL NSW, NSW Government Architect’s Office and NSW Veterans’ Affairs (Office of Communities). For more information, please visit: www.veterans.nsw.gov.au.