Funding to help preserve military histories

THE state government has announced a new round of funding for the War Heritage Collections Training Program and Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney is encouraging ex-service organisations across the region to lodge an expression of interest.

The program is an opportunity for exservices organisations to receive expert training and support to help them protect, preserve and increase access to their military history.

The training helps recipients produce a report identifying conservation, significance and exhibition priorities, repair and stabilise memorabilia and exhibit and digitise collections.

Recipients also receive up to $5,000 bursary for the conservation, digitisation or archival needs of their collection.

The War Collections Training Program has been a highly successful part of the state government’s Veterans Heritage Project, run in conjunction with Museums Australia (Victoria).

The ex-service organisations that have already participated in the War Collections Training Program have preserved items such as clothing, weapons, medals, and souvenirs from a range of conflicts such as World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

“We have a proud war time legacy in Western Victoria, and it’s our duty to preserve these memories for younger generations,” Ms Tierney said.

“I encourage all our local ex-service organisations to take advantage of this important initiative.”

All the collections can be seen online at victoriancollections.net.au.