Battle of Coral Sea service funding refusal anger
Organisers of a commemoration marking the Battle of the Coral Sea and a turning point in World War II say it is a “disgrace” a council has rejected a funding application.
Long-time organisers Anne Mealing and Noeleen Byrne said the Cassowary Coast Regional Council had rejected an application for $5000 for the annual service in Cardwell to mark when United States and Allied forces first repelled the Japanese and saved Australia.
“Our council is on a cost-cutting spree, they have done away with all in-kind support for everybody, so we put in for a grant but they knocked us back … because we used figures for what it cost last year,” Ms Mealing said.
“So now we’ve put in for another grant and we’re not going to know whether we get that or not until after the ceremony (at 10.30am on April 30).”
The $5000 bill for the commemoration that attracts hundreds of people, including dignitaries from the United States, includes road closures, audio equipment, marquee and chair hire, labour and advertising.
Ms Mealing said the 81st commemoration of the battle that witnessed the sinking of the ‘ USS Lexington’ with the loss of 216 lives in early 1942 would go ahead regardless given invitations had already been sent and crew members of the HMAS Cairns had confirmed participation.
A total of 656 US servicemen were killed during the battle.
“How can we just cancel? It’s just not on,” she said, adding they would have to self-fund what would likely be the last such commemoration if funding was unavailable.
“Cardwell is the closest place to where the ‘Lexington’ was sunk and we’ve been doing this for over 30 years.”
She said that included the 50th anniversary commemorations in 1992 and 75th anniversary commemorations, which were a “huge deal” and fully backed by the CCRC.
Ms Mealing said past US servicemen who had survived the battle and participated in the commemorations would have been bitterly disappointed by the news if they were still alive.
“What they (the council) have done to small groups in our Shire is an absolute disgrace,” she said.
“It’s just absolutely ridiculous what they are doing.”
The council said that in September 2022, it had endorsed a new Community Grants Program that “increases opportunities available for individuals or groups, and provides funding for a broader array of projects to benefit the Cassowary Coast community”.
“Council’s previous Community Assistance Scheme provided $30,000 in grant funding up to a maximum of $3,000 per application,” a spokeswoman said.
“Whilst council have reduced its in kind support the increased funding available through the new Community Grants Program will see grant funding flow through to local businesses and increase community capacity.”
The spokeswoman said that when the program was endorsed in 2022, it increased the cash component of the community grants program from $30,000 to $90,000.
“Council acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the Cardwell Historical Society in ensuring this commemoration has continued.”