Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (12:09): My question is addressed to the Minister for Veterans. Will the Minister update the House on what the New South Wales Government is doing to recognise and pay tribute to veterans in New South Wales this November?
Mr DAVID HARRIS (Wyong—Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, Minister for Gaming and Racing, Minister for Veterans, Minister for Medical Research, and Minister for the Central Coast) (12:09): I thank the member for Campbelltown for his question. The member for Campbelltown served in the Royal Australian Regiment of the regular army in both foreign and domestic operations. He served as a paratrooper and a marksman. While he does not like to go into detail, he was also a sniper. I think all members of this House would join me in acknowledging and thanking him and all others, like the member for Auburn, who have served our nation with distinction. The New South Wales Government is committed to honouring and recognising our veterans and service personnel and their families. Remembering and recognising service should be a 365-days-a-year responsibility, but November is a significant month in the veteran calendar. It is important to ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten. This month there have been several events, and their legacy remains undying.
As we all know, on Monday the nation paused to remember the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and mark Remembrance Day. This year marked 106 years since the armistice was signed, the guns fell silent across the Western Front and the war ended. I had the pleasure of hosting the Remembrance Day sunrise service, with the Sydney Opera House poppy projections lighting up the harbour, with RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge and Robin Park from the Australian Army Band Sydney. Throughout the day, services were held across the State in all of our communities, including the Remembrance Day service at the Sydney Cenotaph in Martin Place, hosted by the Premier. The Anzac Memorial also hosted a Remembrance Day service on the northern forecourt as well as special tours throughout the day.
On Sunday I was also fortunate to attend the Remembrance Day commemorative rugby match between Sydney Combined Forces Rugby Football Club and Burraneer Seniors Rugby Club, which was supported by Southern Districts Rugby Club and Cronulla RSL sub-Branch. Ben Haime, the coach of Burraneer, helped organise the match. The club was formed by three veterans, Chief Petty Officer James Manderson, Chief Petty Officer Mark Newman and Warrant Officer Class 2 James Grey. James works at the Anzac Memorial. All three identified that current and ex-serving members have trouble easily connecting with mainstream community organisations and/or become disassociated from the extended veteran community. They organised that day to bring their current and former colleagues together. However, the Government does not just use days of significance to recognise veterans; the Government continues to roll out funding to ensure that the sacrifice of servicemen and servicewomen is acknowledged. On Monday applications for the Anzac Community Grants Program officially closed. [Extension of time]
The program provides grants of up to $3,000 for a range of projects that commemorate and educate New South Wales communities about the service and sacrifices of current and former military servicemen and servicewomen. Projects that support activities that benefit the New South Wales veteran community are also eligible for funding. Last year the Government provided 90 projects throughout New South Wales with funding. I anticipate that a similar number will benefit from the $100,000 in funding available this year.
Another way that the Government is continuing to honour veterans is through the Community War Memorials Fund. Last week, together with others from Cabinet, I was in Broken Hill, where I had the pleasure of announcing the 15 projects from across the State that have received government funding from round one of the 2024‑25 Community War Memorials Fund. Whilst we were in Broken Hill, I had the opportunity to see the Broken Hill Great War Memorial, more commonly known as "The Bomber", which is going to benefit from conservation through this round of funding, including the cleaning of the bronze; removal of straining; sealing with a protective wax treatment; stone surface treatment to remove or mitigate various marks and stains; and re‑pointing mortar joints.
Importantly, later this month, on 24 November we will celebrate the ninetieth anniversary of the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park. The memorial is New South Wales's principal war memorial and is a monument to honour servicemen and servicewomen from the Great War and all conflicts since. To commemorate the historical day, a special open day is being arranged, with events, exhibitions and lectures throughout the day. Along with that, there will be an opportunity to visit the newly opened Treasures of the Anzac Memorial exhibition and purchase the Ninety Treasures – 90 Years publication. It is crucial that we continue to honour and recognise the service of our veterans. We know that there is a continued desire for that to happen.
