State Government grant funds improvements at Korumburra RSL

THE KORUMBURRA RSL building received a much-needed spruce up, with six rotting window frames replaced, a new back door and external painting thanks to a State Government grant of just under $15,000 through the Veterans Capital Works Grant Program.

Across Victoria, there are a total of 31 projects receiving funding through that Program, which funds facility upgrades of up to $50,000 for not-for-profit and ex-service organisations.

Korumburra RSL president David Jackson expressed his appreciation of the financial assistance that will help ensure the long-term future of the organisation in the town and provide excellent facilities for its members and others in the community.

“It’s all about looking after the asset for the future of the Korumburra RSL,” David said.

With works largely completed, Upper House Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh was on hand to celebrate with RSL members and other locals.

He outlined why he feels funding Korumburra RSL and other sub branches to improve their buildings is important.

“It’s respecting what service personnel have contributed and ensuring that the buildings remain not only usable but a real hub for community going forward,” Tom said.

“This funding will help ensure we continue to honour the service and sacrifice of the veteran community in South Gippsland, and I commend Korumburra RSL for their important work.”

While the soon-to-be-completed project has addressed the most pressing building issues at Korumburra RSL, its president has ambitions for further improvements that will benefit members and the broader community.

That future vision includes new toilets with all abilities access and the modernisation of the kitchen, with those intended improvements enabling the sub branch to hold a broader range of social activities.

In addition to funding provided through the Veterans Capital Works Grant Program, the State Government also runs two other grant programs to honour veterans.

The Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour Grant Program has provided assistance to 13 organisations, which have shared in $324,000 of funding.

Eleven organisations across the State have been provided with assistance through the Victoria Remembers Grant Program, which offers grants of up to $30,000 for projects commemorating veterans’ service or educating Victorians about the contributions that veterans and their families have made.

A Victorian Government spokesman said that across the three grant programs over $1.4 million has been announced for 55 projects across the State.