Guy Barnett,Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Seventeen organisations from across Tasmanian will receive a total of $50,000 in funding from the first round of the 2020-21 Teddy Sheean Memorial Grants Program.
The Teddy Sheean Memorial Grants Program was established as a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice made by Tasmanian sailor Ordinary Seaman Edward 'Teddy' Sheean, who gave his life for his country and fellow shipmates during a battle in 1942 off the coast of Timor.
The Grants Program honours Teddy Sheean as a representative of the many Tasmanians who selflessly gave their lives for others in the defence of this country.
This is the first round of grants to be awarded since Teddy Sheean was granted the Victoria Cross he deserved, with the medal to be formally awarded in a ceremony later this year.
Fittingly, one of this round's grants will go to the Latrobe Council to upgrade the Latrobe Cenotaph to recognise the awarding of the Victoria Cross to Teddy Sheean.
Funding was available for small infrastructure repairs and maintenance, and/or equipment purchases for RSLs throughout Tasmania, as well as war memorial construction, repair and maintenance.
Some of the projects to receive funding include:
- Esperance RSL Sub Branch - $5 600 for their memorabilia storage facility;
- George Town RSL Sub Branch - $3 000 for a defibrillator and first aid kit;
- Sheffield RSL Sub Branch - $2 000 for refurbishment of the cenotaph.
- The Tasmanian Government recognises the valuable contribution of Tasmania's service men and women and is committed to supporting the serving and ex-service community in Tasmania.
That's why the 2020-21 Budget continues to deliver support for our veteran community, including:
- Continued peak body funding for RSL Tasmania of $110k per annum, with indexation applied;
- Our $100,000 per year commitment to the Teddy Sheean Memorial Grants Program;
- Our $225,000 Veterans Active Recreation Program. which had its first trek last week; and
- $50,000 per annum special project funding for RSL Tasmania.
A full list of the successful applicants will be available on the Department of Communities Tasmania website at www.communities.tas.gov.au/csr
