Money for memorials

Horsham Cemetery Trust and Rupanyup RSL will share funding of almost $24,000 to commemorate the sacrifice of regional war veterans and educate the community about their service.

Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said Horsham Cemetery Trust would use a $13,996 grant to construct a memorial at the cemetery.

The memorial will honour 401 service men and women who served in the First World War and are buried in the cemetery, including 60 buried in unmarked graves.

Rupanyup RSL will use a $9840 grant to erect a memorial at the entrance to the Rupanyup Recreation Reserve. It will comprise granite gateposts featuring the names of Rupanyup district men who died during the First World War.

Ms Pulford said the projects were among 15 across Victoria to be funded under the State Government’s Anzac Centenary Community Grants Program, which commemorates First World War veterans and informs communities about veterans’ experiences.

She said the funding built on the government’s work to preserve and educate Victorians about the service of the state’s veterans.

“Western Victoria has a proud wartime history and it’s important we give our veterans the support and tribute they deserve,” she said.

People can visit www.dpc.vic.gov.au/veterans for information about other veteran grant opportunities.