ARARAT - Ararat has benefited from a small share of $164,000 in funding that was delivered to eighteen projects that honour and recognise the service and sacrifice of Victoria's war veterans.
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Ararat Legacy Club Incorporated was afforded $2,650 to go towards its 2014 Project Remembrance concept, the purpose of which is to honour the service and sacrifice of veterans.
Part of the money was used to support students from five district secondary colleges to attend the Legacy Commemoration Ceremony for students at the Shrine of Remembrance on Wednesday.
An Ararat Legacy essay competition will also be conducted in term two in each of the five participating colleges.
The topic of the essay must honour or commemorate the service and sacrifice of veterans, or reflect on Australia's history of service in conflicts.
Legacy members will also conduct speaking engagements at the schools.
It is hoped the initiatives will benefit the community and further its understanding of the traditions formed by veterans in peace and war.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Damian Drum joined members of Ararat Legacy in Ararat to announce the Victorian Veterans Council - Commemoration and Education Grants Program recipients.
"The Victorian Coalition Government is delighted to deliver this important program in partnership with the Victorian Veterans Council," he said.
"Funding of $48,000 has been provided to support commemorative services, $35,000 to new local memorial projects and $10,000 for public education projects that seek to educate the wider Victorian community about the service and sacrifice of our veterans."
Ararat legacy had already received a $6,000 Federal Government Saluting their Service Commemoration Grant to restore the memorial/grave of General Sir Brudenell White, KCB, KCMG, KCVO, DSO, located at Buangor.
A further $1,500 has been received from Defence Bank and other donors.
Ararat Legacy has made an application for a further $2,200 from the Victorian Centenary Community Grants Program - Veterans Fund to erect a 'Story Board' adjacent to the memorial/grave.
In addition to the announcement, $71,000 has been allocated to Melbourne Legacy and Carry On Victoria for secondary and tertiary education grants for veterans' dependants.
"We are proud to support such a diverse range of projects - from local commemorative events through to improving transport access for those attending their local ANZAC Day Dawn Service," Mr Drum said.
The program provides funding for projects that honour or commemorate the service and sacrifice of veterans and educate Victorians about the contribution made by those in service to the nation and the state.