Minister for Veterans David Harris is in Orange today to announce that 27 war memorials across 25 local government areas are receiving nearly $250,000 in NSW Government funding for essential care to ensure the service and sacrifice of veterans are honoured across the state.
The grants are 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.
In the state's south, the Woodstock War Memorial Hall near Cowra received $11,590 to assist with conservation work to the First World War Honour Roll. The hall was built in 1924 to honour the service and sacrifice of those from the Woodstock community who served in the Army, Navy and Air force.
In the state's north, the Anglican Parish of Lismore received $1,980 to assist with repairs to the stained-glass memorial windows in the Warrior Chapel of the Garrison Church of St Andrew. The windows completed in 2015 will receive upgrades to ensure the memorial can remain protected from the wet weather in northern NSW.
Applications for the 2026/27 Community War Memorials Fund will open from April to June 2026.
More information on the program and details on how to apply are available here: https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/heritage/community-war-memorials-fund.
Minister for Veterans David Harris said:
"I am proud that the Minns Labor Government is 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.
"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 City Council Mayor Tony Mileto said:
"This funding will 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. We're proud to support improvements that will make this site safer, more accessible, and continue to serve our community for generations to come."
Woodstock War Memorial Hall Incorporated Vice President Alison Rutledge said:
"The Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Hall committee extend thanks to the NSW Government for the $11,590 grant which will contribute to much needed conservation works to the First World War Honour Roll at the Woodstock War Memorial Hall.
"The Honour Roll was made to commemorate the men from the area that served during the First World War and consists of a metal board with a decorative border and 66 names listed in six columns in the centre printed onto an individual brass plate.
"The conservation works will facilitate treatment of the World War One copper alloy honour roll and the individual brass plates in the Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Hall. The preservation means the small village can honour its ancestors, remember shared sacrifices and keep its local history alive for generations to come."
Anglican Parish of Lismore coordinator Dr Ross Lehman said:
"The Anglican Parish of Lismore greatly appreciates the $1,980 grant, which will be used to help repair the stained-glass memorial windows in the Warrior Chapel of the Garrison Church of St Andrew.
"The top section of the central memorial window depicts a soldier overlooking Anzac Cove, and the bottom section displays two Australian flags, positioned over the Seven Point Star and framed by stylised images of wattle and the repairs will ensure that the surroundings of all of the memorial windows in the Warrior Chapel remain leak-proof from the many storms that occur in the Northern Rivers."
