Published Wednesday, 01 October, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
BLACKALL CENOTAPH TO BE ENHANCED
Acting Public Works Minister Judy Spence today announced the Blackall cenotaph will be enhanced with a statue of Victoria Cross medal recipient Lieutenant Edgar Towner thanks to $25,000 in grant funding from the Bligh Government’s Community Memorials Restoration Program.
Ms Spence said the grant would enable the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council in partnership with the local RSL to undertake the project, which will complete the cenotaph’s upgrade.
“Funds granted to the Council for the project will be used to commission a life size statue of Lieutenant Edgar Towner, a Blackall local whose heroic efforts were rediscovered by a student doing his school social research project,” Ms Spence said.
“The Blackall Memorial Park and related cenotaph became a reality in 1925 and it commemorates the sacrifice made by more than 300 local men and women who served in both World Wars.
“Now it will recognise one who was singled out for the highest honour. “
Ms Spence said the council previously received $11,750 in funding to undertake initial repairs and refurbishment of the cenotaph, and she was delighted that additional funds could be approved to complete the work.
She said the Community Memorials Restoration Program had funded more than 240 projects across the state since its inception in 2004.
“The program has granted more than $2.9 million in dollar-for-dollar subsidies to councils and community organisations to help restore local monuments and other iconic structures,” she said.
“As Queensland plans for the celebration of its 150th year of statehood, the Queensland Government is honouring its election commitment to help communities recognise their history of settlement, community development and wartime engagement.”
Fifty-one projects across the state have been funded in the 2008-09 round with 37 communities benefiting from the allocation of more than $700,000 in subsidy funds.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832
Ms Spence said the grant would enable the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council in partnership with the local RSL to undertake the project, which will complete the cenotaph’s upgrade.
“Funds granted to the Council for the project will be used to commission a life size statue of Lieutenant Edgar Towner, a Blackall local whose heroic efforts were rediscovered by a student doing his school social research project,” Ms Spence said.
“The Blackall Memorial Park and related cenotaph became a reality in 1925 and it commemorates the sacrifice made by more than 300 local men and women who served in both World Wars.
“Now it will recognise one who was singled out for the highest honour. “
Ms Spence said the council previously received $11,750 in funding to undertake initial repairs and refurbishment of the cenotaph, and she was delighted that additional funds could be approved to complete the work.
She said the Community Memorials Restoration Program had funded more than 240 projects across the state since its inception in 2004.
“The program has granted more than $2.9 million in dollar-for-dollar subsidies to councils and community organisations to help restore local monuments and other iconic structures,” she said.
“As Queensland plans for the celebration of its 150th year of statehood, the Queensland Government is honouring its election commitment to help communities recognise their history of settlement, community development and wartime engagement.”
Fifty-one projects across the state have been funded in the 2008-09 round with 37 communities benefiting from the allocation of more than $700,000 in subsidy funds.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832