Orange Mayor Tony Mileto and Member for Orange Phil Donato welcomed Minister for Veterans David Harris to Orange recently, as he announced nearly $250,000 in funding for war memorials across the state.
Twenty-seven war memorials across 25 local government areas will receive NSW Government funding for essential care to ensure the service and sacrifice of veterans are honoured across the state.
PRESERVATION: Member for Orange Phil Donato, Minister for Veterans David Harris and Orange Mayor Tony Mileto in Newman Park.
The grants were awarded to councils, RSL sub-Branches and community groups in cities, regional towns and rural centres from Monaro to Lismore.
Among the grant recipients, Orange City Council was awarded $12,265 to assist with conservation of the Newman Park Great War Memorial Avenue. The funding will help with paving replacement and minor landscape enhancements to improve accessibility and preserve the reflective commemorative aspects of the memorial.
Mr Harris said he was proud the Minns Labor Government was providing nearly $250,000 to assist with the conservation of 27 war memorials across NSW.
"This crucial funding will be used to undertake important conservation work to strengthen our war memorials ensuring they can continue to honour the service and sacrifice of all veterans who have served our communities," the Minister said.
"Local communities across the state are rightly proud of their military history and the vital threads their war memorials weave into our cultural fabric, enabling us to reflect on over 100 years of our veterans' service and sacrifice.
"I want to encourage local communities to consider applying for the 2026 round of the community war memorial fund for any restoration work their memorials may need."
Orange Mayor Tony Mileto said the funding would help preserve an important part of Orange's history.
"Newman Park's Memorial Avenue honours the sacrifice of 17 young men from East Orange Public School who served in the Great War," Cr Mileto said.
"We're proud to support improvements that will make this site safer, more accessible, and continue to serve our community for generations to come."
