By Tyler Wright
Through the Victorian government’s Veterans Capital Works Grant Program, the Lilydale RSL sub-branch has received $45,000 to upgrade its main hall.
Lilydale RSL sub-branch vice president Terry Hickey said the revamp of the main hall – the most used room at the building – is the second stage in plans for building upgrades.
“All of the work that we do on on the club room and all of the money we spend operating the RSL comes from our own resources, we don’t use any money that’s raised in the Anzac Appeal and Poppy Appeal,” Mr Hickey said.
“The building itself was built in 1922, It’s 100 years old, so we’re going through a staged process of updating the building, trying to bring it up to date whilst preserving its historic character.”
The renovation is not only hoped to provide a more amenable facility for the RSL’s members and guests, Mr Hickey said, but will be made available for smaller community groups for meetings.
“We got a grant from the Victorian government and we created a multimedia facility where we set up a program of schools visits for school children to come in, sit down, touch and handle memorabilia…be able to ask veterans questions,” he said.
“The programs have been designed by a military historian in consultation with schools, and designed to fit in with their curriculum.
“The local schools really support it…. It’s just everything, we couldn’t operate without that sort of support.”
Mr Hickley also said there are plans to install a memorial garden at the front of the RSL building in consultation with Lilydale Primary School.
“Hopefully it’ll take two or three years overall to complete everything, but hopefully we’ll end up with an RSL that the community can be rightly proud of and something that’s reposed to the community, the support they give to us.”
Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman announced on Friday 12 May the Labor Government will fund 31 projects through the Veterans Capital Works Grant Program, which funds facility upgrades of up to $50,000 for not-for-profit and ex-service organisations.
“We’re proud to support projects that provide veterans and their families with access to modern, accessible and efficient facilities and all Victorians can pay their respects, learn about history and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our veterans,” Ms Suleyman said.
The Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour Grant Program will also inject more than $324,000 in shared funding for 13 organisations, going towards projects that restore or improve war memorials, honour rolls and avenues of honour across the state.
There are 11 organisations across the state receiving funding through the Victoria Remembers Grant Program, which provides grants of up to $30,000 for projects commemorating veterans’ service or educating Victorians about the contributions that veterans and their families have made.
Applications for Victoria Remembers are assessed by the Victorian Veterans Council, an independent body that provides advice to the government on issues affecting the Victorian veteran community.
Member for Easter Victoria Harriet Shing said RSL sub-branches are “treasured” and “inclusive” pillars in local communities.
“This funding for the Lilydale RSL will enable them to continue their extraordinary work,” Ms Shing said.
