Beaconsfield resident Pauline Hopkins, Beaconsfield Progress Association vicepresident Tony Rushton and Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato at the war memorial.THE war memorial at Beaconsfield will be restored to its original condition.
Built in the 1920s, the memorial will have its granite base recoated and lettering repaired in the $12,000 project.
The memorial was moved from its original location several years ago to make way for the construction of Wood Street and in the process was placed on cement rendered bricks rather than its original Tynong granite base.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato last week announced a $4950 grant for the project.
The Beaconsfield Progress Association is contributing over $7000 in ‘inkind’ support with the backing of the Dandenong Returned Services League, the Pakenham RSL and the CaseyCardinia National Trust.
Ms Lobato joined project organiser and Beaconsfield Progress Association (BPA) vicepresident Tony Rushton as well as submission writer Pauline Hopkins who works for Ms Lobato and is a Beaconsfield resident at the war memorial to announce the news.
Ms Lobato said the BPA would receive the grant in the first round of the $500,000 Restoring Community War Memorials Grants Program.
She said that the restoration project would engender an increased understanding and interest in the stories behind the memorial.
“I am delighted that the Beaconsfield War Memorial will be one of the first projects to be funded in this important grants program,” she said.
“I am thrilled that one of my own staff members and Beaconsfield resident Pauline has been able to assist local historian Tony Rushton in developing the funding proposal.
“Naturally, I was keen to lend my support to the funding application as it is vital that new residents in Beaconsfield are able to appreciate and respect the esteemed contribution of past citizens to Australia’s war efforts,” she said.
