Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has announced funding to help the Cootamundra community reflect on the proud service of locals in the Vietnam War.

“The Cootamundra RSL Sub-Branch has received $4,000 in funding under the latest round of the Federal Government’s Saluting Their Service grants programme to fund the erection of a new memorial in the Albert Park Memorial Precinct,” Mr Taylor said.

“The memorial will be dedicated to those who served for Australia in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975. This is a fitting tribute and long overdue.”

President of the Cootamundra RSL Sub-Branch Garry James welcomed the funding. “To be able to complete the Vietnam veterans’ wall will finally give Cootamundra’s Vietnam veterans the recognition they didn’t receive when they first came back.”

Mr Taylor said Cootamundra RSL Sub-Branch was one of 68 recipients in the latest round of Saluting Their Service grants, with more than $178,000 allocated to community and ex-service organisations around Australia. He said the programme was to assist communities to commemorate those who have served and continue to serve our nation.

“It is a rolling funding programme, with applications open to community organisations for activities such as restoration of wartime memorabilia, establishment of commemorative plaques and the upgrading of local honour rolls.”

For more information about future funding rounds visit www.dva.gov.au/grants or phone 1800 555 254.

Caption: Angus Taylor at the Albert Park Memorial Precinct with David Ruskin (L), Trustee and Garry James (R), President of the Cootamundra RSL Sub-Branch