Senator Fiona Nash

$3,000 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BOOST FOR 50 YEAR 3 R.A.R. REUNION

The Federal Coalition Government will contribute $3,000 towards the staging of a reunion of service personnel who served as part of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) during the tour of Malaya in the late 1950s, NSW Nationals Senator Fiona Nash said today. Senator Nash said the money was awarded as part of the Government’s commemorations program Saluting Their Service for the function scheduled for Tweed Heads later in the year. “300 people are expected to attend the national reunion which will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the departure of 3 RAR to Malaya for active service,” Senator Nash said. “The reunion, which will be held from 21 to 23 of September this year is a wonderful example of the commemorative activities the Federal Coalition Government’s Saluting Their Service program aims to encourage and support.” The funding announcement follows recent approval of a $1,816 grant for the Tweed Heads & Coolangatta RSL sub-branch to help in developing the Anzac Day Youth Project in conjunction with local schools. The project will involve students interviewing local WWII veterans and compiling their stories on DVD. “It is so important for all the community – both young and old – to participate in activities which honour the service and sacrifice of those who have served Australia in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and projects like these are the perfect opportunity to keep the sacrifices of our service personnel, both past and present, in the forefront of our minds,” Senator Nash said. For more information about Saluting Their Service and grant application forms contact the office of Senator Nash on (02) 6382 3400 or visit: www.dva.gov.au/commemorations/activities Media contact: Julie Siegert 0429 818 600

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