McCORMACK DELIVERS WAR MEMORIAL GRANTS

Two Riverina war memorials are to be upgraded with the help of Saluting Their Service grants provided by the Federal Government, Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has announced.

Mr McCormack said Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council would receive $45,000 towards restoring the Wallendbeen Memorial Obelisk and another $6,825 to enable commemorative additions to the refurbished Muttama Hall to highlight its significance as a community-built war memorial.

In addition, the Junee and District Historical Society will receive $1,109 to buy two cabinets to display World War I memorabilia.

“These grants will enable important work which perpetuate the honouring of those who have defended our country, our freedoms and our values for more than a century,” Mr McCormack said.

“Some memorials throughout the Riverina and Central West are now more than 100 years old so we must ensure they are kept in good condition.”

Mr McCormack said the advent of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had cruelled ANZAC Day commemorations this year but had not dampened the love and respect Australians felt for ex-servicemen and women.

“I am looking forward to Remembrance Day commemorative services in November when, I hope, Australians will come out in large numbers to honour our veterans in a way they were unable to do on ANZAC Day,” Mr McCormack said.

Shane Manning