Fifty years on from the deployment of 1RAR to South Vietnam and the beginning of Australia’s combat role in the Vietnam War, the Australian Government is proud to launch a dedicated one-off grants sub-program to help the community recognise the contribution of Australian servicemen and women who served our country during the Vietnam conflict.
The Vietnam War Commemorative Grants program has been established under the Saluting Their Service commemorations program for 2015–16, and will provide one-off funding of between $4,000 and $20,000 for community-based projects and activities that directly commemorate any aspect of the Vietnam War under the theme of ‘camaraderie’.
Nasho’s reunion eligible
Examples of projects that may be considered for funding include commemorative events and reunions.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson said he was honoured to provide support for community activities that acknowledge the service and sacrifice of Australia’s Vietnam veterans.
“Following the tremendous success of the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program in bringing communities together to remember and commemorate our First World War veterans, it is fitting that we now honour our Vietnam veterans through the Vietnam War Commemorative Grants sub-program,” Senator Ronaldson said.
“For too long this part of our war history went unacknowledged, but now we have an opportunity to respectfully commemorate our Vietnam veterans and educate Australian communities about the hardships these servicemen and women faced during the War, as well as upon and after their return home.”
The grant program will open for funding on 14 September 2015 and closes at 5.00 pm AEDT on 31 October 2015. Program guidelines and application forms will be available on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website (www.dva.gov.au) when the funding round opens.
Other grants, including an essay with a prize of a trip for students to visit Vietnam, are available. More details will be published as they come to hand.
