The Andrews Labor Government is keeping the legacy of local veterans alive with funding to support several key projects in Ballarat and Western Victoria.

Minister for Veterans, Robin Scott, and Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison, today announced $43,500 towards five projects in Ballarat.

They’re amongst 84 projects right across the state that will share in $1.4 million as part of a range of grants to support veterans.

The projects cover a range of initiatives, such as ensuring memorials are preserved, commemorating veterans through services and events and providing education or training programs so veterans can remain engaged with the community.

The Ballarat projects include:

• $16,500 for the Legacy Club of Ballarat for the 2020 Winter Heating Allowance which assists low income beneficiaries with some financial relief in meeting the rising costs of winter heating bills.
• $5,500 for Ballarat Veterans Assistance Centre to assist veterans with high needs to attend the ANZAC Day Memorial Service at the Shrine of Remembrance in 2020.
• $9,000 for the City of Ballarat towards the 20-20 ANZAC Day commemorative services.
• $10,500 for Federation University towards an audio-visual presentation on Ballarat’s Avenue of Honour and the role of the E. Lucas & Co Textile Company employees who planted each memorial tree on the avenue.
• $2,000 for Ballarat Veterans Assistance Centre to assist veterans from the Ballarat area to attend Vietnam Veterans Day at the Shrine of Remembrance in 2020.

Several other projects across Western Victorian have also received funding, including:

• $2,500 for Ararat Legacy for a remembrance project in local schools.
• $16,088 for Ballan RSL sub-branch to replace damaged and missing WWI and WWII plaques on the Myrniong Memorial Wall.
• $4,000 for Carisbrook Historical Society to install signage at the Carisbrook Avenue of Honour to recognise the 37 WWI soldiers represented on the Avenue.
• $40,000 for Mortlake RSL for renovations to the RSL Hall.
• $35,000 for Camperdown RSL for renovations to the Memorial Hall.
• $9,000 for Yarriambiack Shire Council and Rupanyup RSL sub-branch to repairs to the RSL Hall.

Ms Addison said the Government was working to protect the legacy of veterans.

“Our veterans fought hard for our shared values and remembering their stories reminds us to take stock of that sacrifice and pay tribute,” she said.

“This funding is a wonderful thing for Ballarat because we must never forget the service of our veterans. They are the reason we enjoy the freedoms we do today,” Ms Addison said.

More information about the successful recipients of the grants can be found at vic.gov.au/grants-support-and-commemorate-veterans.