Premier Mark McGowan and Veterans Issues Minister Peter Tinley joined Albany MLA Peter Watson to present representatives from the Returned Services League WA (RSLWA) with a Lotterywest grant for $795,000.
The grant presentation took place at the National Anzac Centre in Albany while visiting a display acknowledging the National Day for War Animals - which will be officially commemorated on February 24.
The grant will go towards staging Anzac Day 2020 activities in metropolitan and regional locations across Western Australia.
Each year, thousands of Western Australians participate in Anzac Day services, and those numbers are rising as new generations of servicemen and women join the ranks of veterans, and appreciation of the ANZAC tradition grows.
More than 30,000 people attended last year's Dawn Service in Kings Park, tens of thousands lined the streets of central Perth for the Anzac Day march, and many thousands more attended ceremonies in regional centres, towns and suburbs across WA.
February 24 will be known as the National Day for War Animals and commemorate the important role our loyal mates played in battle.
Animals, including horses, dogs and even pigeons, have played an important role in the past hundred or more years of Australia's war history.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"The RSLWA, as keeper of our esteemed days of national remembrance and commemoration, makes a major contribution to the memory of those who suffered and died for their country while serving in Australia's Armed Forces.
"More than 100,000 servicemen and women have lost their lives during times of conflict and it is their service that has shaped the country we live in today. The legacy of their sacrifice is something we must always treasure and remember.
"It is also important to recognise and remember the role many animals played across the years in armed conflict.
"Horses, dogs and even pigeons have been loyal mates for our soldiers in times of need and it is fitting we recognise their role on February 24."
As stated by Veterans Issues Minister Peter Tinley:
"Today we recognise the important roles that animals have had and continue to play in war.
"Some 136,000 horses left Australia for service in the Great War, and sadly, only one was able to return.
"While the exploits of mounted infantry units like the 10th Light Horse are consigned to history, even today, highly trained dogs and their handlers are an integral part of Australia's overseas military deployments.
"They help the Army to detect explosives and assist the RAAF in keeping our aviation assets secure - and like our servicemen and women should be remembered for their invaluable contribution to our society."
As stated by Albany MLA Peter Watson:
"Albany has been at the centre of Australia's commemorations since the First World War - which is fitting as it was the last piece of Australian soil that many ANZAC troops saw before departing for the battlefields.
"We are privileged to have the National Anzac Centre based in Albany and the tributes and history it provides.
"This Lotterywest grant will mean the RSLWA is able to continue staging important ANZAC Day commemorations across not only the metropolitan regions but regional locations as well."
