Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has praised the incredible restoration of Goulburn High School’s First and Second World War honour roll boards.

The boards – which honour former students – have recently been returned to the school and re-mounted in the main building’s corridor after months of careful and detailed work by local man Tony Marks.

Goulburn High received $2591 under the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Community Commemorative Grants Program to have both boards restored to their former glory.

Mulwaree High School also received a $605 grant to upgrade the Avenue of Honour at the school by replacing seven damaged plaques.

“The efforts of these schools in honouring those who have served our nation and ensuring their legacy will live on is outstanding, and I thank them on behalf of the veteran and defence communities,” Mr Taylor said.

Goulburn High’s Great War board (the ‘Roll of Honor’) was handmade almost 100 years ago by the school’s Manual Arts teacher at the time, Mr Porter. 

“He must have been an exceptionally skilled craftsman,” Mr Taylor said.

“I have no doubts he would have been pleased with the incredible and respectful restoration work which will ensure future generations of students and teachers are always reminded of the courage and sacrifices of former students who served our nation.”

Goulburn RSL Sub-Branch Secretary Malcolm Ritchie also said the restoration was a fitting tribute to the skills of Mr Porter.

“The detail and workmanship of the original builder, and the time that he must have spent doing it, especially with the tools available at the time, makes it all the more remarkable,” Mr Ritchie said.

The Saluting Their Service Community Commemorative Grants Program provides up to $4000 for an individual project. It is a rolling grants program, so applications are accepted at any time.

“These grants help communities like Goulburn to honour and preserve our wartime history for future generations, and encourage young people to learn more about the stories of those involved,” Mr Taylor said.

Community groups interested in applying for funding under the Saluting Their Service grants program should contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ Commemorative Grants team on 1800 026 185 or email commemorativegrants@dva.gov.au.