Puckapunyal Primary School receives grant

By Bianca Hall

May 19, 2023

A place to remember: Puckapunyal Primary School has close a close connection to the ADF, with many students belonging to defence families. Here, Padre Don Kaus stands with students Paige Cooper and Rory Kennedy, who laid wreaths during a previous Remembrance Day service. Photo: Wayne Herring Photo by Wayne Herring

Puckapunyal Primary School has received $3000 to restore the school’s Memorial Garden. The money was a share of $3.5 million in funding under the Australian Government’s ‘Saluting Their Service’ grants program.

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The garden will complement the school’s recent rebuild following a fire that destroyed the majority of the school building at the end of 2020.

The Saluting Their Service grant program aims to commemorate the sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and their families, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said.

Up to $3.5 million is available each financial year for distribution, split across three rounds throughout the year. Puckapunyal Primary School received the money in the third round of funding for 2022-23.

“It’s fantastic to see new and exciting programs that organisations are implementing, including music programs and gardening,” Mr Keogh said.

“The Saluting Their Service program provides funding not only for war memorials, but for a range of projects that highlight the important role our service men and women have played in over a century of service.”

There is also funding available under the Veteran Wellbeing stream which delivers funding to community and ex-service organisations that provide local veterans and families with projects that enhance health and wellbeing.

Applications are now open for another round of funding for both streams.

For more information on the Veteran Wellbeing grants, head over to the DVA website; and for more information about Saluting Their Service grants, visit the GrantConnect website.