THE HON MATT KEOGH MP

Minister for VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

ALICIA PAYNE MP

MEMBER FOR CANBERRA

MEDIA RELEASE

$120,190 DELIVERED TO HONOUR LOCAL HEROES

22 January 2025

Canberra organisations, Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and Soldier On, are set to receive $60,000 and $60,190 respectively to commemorate the service of local veterans and their families, thanks to the first round of the Albanese Government’s 2024-25 Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.

This funding will support the delivery of freely available online secondary school resources to educate and commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia's service personnel in wars, conflicts and peace operations by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.

Soldier On will be using their funding to produce the podcast, "Contemporary Voices of Bravery – The Soldier On Journey of Lived Experience". The podcast will offer a platform for veterans of recent conflicts to share their personal stories through both audio and video format on modem streaming platforms.

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and Soldier On are two of 55 organisations from around the country sharing in more than $770,000 in funding for commemorative projects that help educate local communities on the defence of Australia, and our people at war.

The Saluting their Service program plays a key role in ensuring that the ongoing service and sacrifices made by Australian service people and their families are recognised and remembered.

The current grant round is open until 5 February 2025, for more information visit the Saluting their Service Grants Program website.

Quotes attributed to Matt Keogh, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs:

“I’m always so pleased to see organisations going above and beyond to pay tribute to those who have served from their community.

All over the nation, throughout our history, local communities have played a unique role in war and service, this program brings the realities of that Defence service to the fore.”

Quotes attributable to Alicia Payne MP

“I’m proud to be part of a Labor Government that is making sure Australia’s veterans get the recognition they deserve, and Canberra’s proud history of service is remembered.

This project will allow secondary school students and our community more broadly to engage with the stories of service personnel. I can’t wait to see them completed.

The Saluting Their Service Grants are another way the Albanese Government is working with community-led organisations like the Australian Academy of the Social Sciences and Soldier On to support our local veterans”.