Pearcedale Public Hall will be enhanced in time for the Centenary of ANZAC commemorations next year thanks to a $9,000 Commonwealth government grant.
“I am delighted to announce that a grant has been approved for a Memorial Garden within the Pearcedale Public Hall grounds to honour our local WWI servicemen and women,” Flinders MP Greg Hunt said.
Pearcedale Public Hall Association Secretary Maureen Smollen said she was thrilled to receive the grant on behalf of the association.
“The Pearcedale Public Hall Committee of Management thanks the Government for making this grant available to us,” Ms Smollen said.
“After much research, we have found twenty one local veterans whose names will be placed on an open book style plaque. The plaque will be mounted on a brick pillar and sit in a paved setting in the grounds of the Pearcedale Public Hall.”
Ms Smollen said there were plans to extend the garden in the future to include shrubs, flowers and seating as well as adding the names of WWII servicemen and women to the plaque.
“The garden will be a permanent monument to those men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom, a place for reflection for the whole community and visitors to the area,” she said.
“We are truly grateful for all the support that we received from Greg Hunt, the City of Casey and all the other organizations and businesses who gave their support to this project.”
Tyabb Primary School will also be well prepared for the Centenary of ANZAC with the creation of a poppy wall thanks to a $2641 Commonwealth government grant.
“It is terrific to see schools like Tyabb Primary School taking an avid involvement in commemorating the spirit of ANZAC and I am thrilled to be able to present this award to enable the school to create a permanent memorial,” Mr Hunt said.
Tyabb Primary School visual arts teacher Sharon Wright said the grant would enhance their ANZAC commemorations.
“We are delighted to receive this grant to create commemorative poppy walls in our school grounds,” Ms Wright said.
“Not only will this be a beautiful addition to our growing school grounds arts program, it will also be a beautiful visual reminder for children and parents at the school that will become a focal point for our ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies each year.
“The children are looking forward to beginning the ceramic works later this year.”
Mr Hunt said he was looking forward to working with community groups across the electorate to deliver commemorations that would honour the nation’s centenary of service.
“The Centenary of ANZAC will be the most significant national period of commemoration in our nation’s history and the ANZAC Centenary Local Grants Program gives community members the opportunity to honour the service and sacrifice that epitomises the ANZAC spirit,” Mr Hunt said.
“These awards present an opportunity for our community groups to honour our war heroes in a way that is fitting to the local area.
“Many of the projects awarded through the ANZAC Centenary grants program will become permanent tributes to those who served our country.”
Media contact: Samantha Robin on 03 5979 3188 or 0427 787 166