Iconic Mary Street location and Valley memorials to be restored

The site in the heart of Gympie and another two in the Mary Valley will be restored to their former glory.

Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig, Wide Bay MP Llew O'Brien and Gympie RSL president John Herlihy at the Memorial Park Gates in Mary Street, Gympie.

The memorial gates and stonework at the entrance to Memorial Park in Mary Street will be restored with the help of a $10,000 grant to the Gympie RSL Sub-Branch.

And the Mary Valley RSL Sub-Branch will receive $10,000 to restore the Kandanga Memorial located on Main Street near Margaret Street, and upgrade the Imbil Memorial Clock in Imbil’s main street.

Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien made the announcements this week.

“These projects will help Gympie, Kandanga and Imbil to commemorate the role that servicemen and women from these areas have played in shaping the nation, and ensures the stories of those who have served from our region are preserved in our local communities,” Mr O’Brien said.

Mr O’Brien said it was important to maintain, preserve and enhance commemorative memorials so they can continue to be places of reflection for future generations.

“Special memorials like these help us to remember the servicemen and women who dedicated their lives to Australia and our freedom,“ Mr O‘Brien said.

“I encourage other organisations in Wide Bay to apply for funding from the Saluting Their Service program to install and upgrade memorials that pay tribute to the sacrifices made by these brave men and women.

“I thank the Gympie and Mary Valley RSL Sub-Branches who work tirelessly to ensure that our service personnel receive the recognition that they deserve, and thank you to all Australian service personnel for your service and sacrifice.“

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Organisations across Australia shared in more than $1.2 million to fund projects that will assist with ensuring the commemoration of our current and former Australian Defence Force personnel continues.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs administers the STS grants. Applications for the next round of STS grants is now open. For more information or to submit your application, visit the STS page on the Grants Hub or visit the DVA website.

Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig, Wide Bay MP Llew O'Brien and Gympie RSL president John Herlihy at the Memorial Park Gates.