Published Wednesday, 01 October, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
COMMUNITY MEMORIALS TO BE RESTORED THANKS TO BLIGH GOVERNMENT GRANTS
Acting Public Works Minister Judy Spence today announced the Bligh Government would partner with the Flinders and Charters Towers Regional councils on two projects aimed at preserving the North West’s rich history.
Ms Spence said the two councils would share in close to $30,000 in grants from the State Government’s Community Memorial Restoration Program.
“Flinders Shire Council will receive a $15,000 grant to research, record, digitize and publish the shire's cemetery records,” Ms Spence said.
“The Hughenden Cemetery has significant historical value to the local community.
“Headstones dating from 1891 through to the current day identify many pioneers and stories from the local district. Hand written records for these grave sites have been documented since October 1891.
“These handwritten records will be replaced with digital records that will be available on the web.”
Ms Spence said Charters Towers Regional Council would receive a $14,710 Queensland Government grant to repair and restore four war graves, a flagpole, four honour boards and Pentland's memorial hall.
“The Homestead and the Concert Band World War One honour boards will be restored, Pentland’s honour board properly lit and maintenance carried out at Pentland’s memorial hall to repair dry rot in the window, repair the flag pole and put in new cables,” she said.
Ms Spence 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 two councils would share in close to $30,000 in grants from the State Government’s Community Memorial Restoration Program.
“Flinders Shire Council will receive a $15,000 grant to research, record, digitize and publish the shire's cemetery records,” Ms Spence said.
“The Hughenden Cemetery has significant historical value to the local community.
“Headstones dating from 1891 through to the current day identify many pioneers and stories from the local district. Hand written records for these grave sites have been documented since October 1891.
“These handwritten records will be replaced with digital records that will be available on the web.”
Ms Spence said Charters Towers Regional Council would receive a $14,710 Queensland Government grant to repair and restore four war graves, a flagpole, four honour boards and Pentland's memorial hall.
“The Homestead and the Concert Band World War One honour boards will be restored, Pentland’s honour board properly lit and maintenance carried out at Pentland’s memorial hall to repair dry rot in the window, repair the flag pole and put in new cables,” she said.
Ms Spence 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