Community Memorials Restoration Program

BARCALDINE: A re-elected Beattie Government will introduce a new program to help Queenslanders preserve the past with a $1.5 million three year Community Memorial Restoration Program, Premier Peter Beattie has announced.

Mr Beattie launched the program at the Tree of Knowledge in Barcaldine, describing the famous tree as the type of memorial that could be targeted under the new program.

"This tree marks an event that shaped Queensland's history - the Tree of Knowledge was the founding site of the political movement we now call the Australian Labor Party," Mr Beattie said.

"The Community Memorial Restoration Program will help ensure the thousands of memorials and monuments that serve as reminders of Queensland's unique heritage are restored for future generations.

"In almost every suburb of every town, in every corner of Queensland, you can find memorials such as monuments, honour rolls, halls, gates, obelisks, trees, gardens, plaques, fountains, statues, cenotaphs and clocks.

"They are historical reminders of events such as the commencement of settlements, wars, natural disasters, mining or other tragic accidents.

"Memories like these need to be preserved so that they're not lost forever.

"They are part of our identity, and important for regional tourism and jobs.

"What this program will do is enable communities to apply for funding to restore memorials that are in need of repair. For example, they may have deteriorated over the years, been vandalised or have mechanical components that no longer work."

Mr Beattie said communities will be invited to enter into a partnership with the government to protect their heritage, with projects given dollar-for-dollar funding to match community-generated funds.

The first round of funding will start in 2004/05. Applications will be called from Local Government and non-profit community-based organisations that have ownership, trusteeship or responsibility for community memorials.

"The Community Memorials Restoration Program will help provide jobs and training in rural and regional Queensland. Where possible tradespeople or specialists in local communities will do the work," Mr Beattie said.

"Queenslanders take great interest in what has shaped our history, and this a program that will help communities protect and preserve our important past."

January 26, 2004

Contact - Steve Bishop 0419 779 518