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$20,000 towards Tatura RSL’s Private Robert Mactier statue

 Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell announced today that the Tatura RSL Club would receive $20,000 from the Victorian government towards its Private Robert Mactier VC statue project.

The Tatura Sub-branch is one of 27 organisations to share in funding of more than $265,500 from the Veterans Fund announced by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Hugh Delahunty.

“The Tatura RSL and the Private Robert Mactier Statue Committee aim to erect a bronze statue of Private Mactier as part of the redevelopment of the Hogan street war memorial,” Mrs Powell said.

Private Mactier, who died at the age of 28, received the Victoria Cross posthumously for his exceptional valour and determination in France on 1 September 1918. Private Mactier on his own initiative charged a German post, a garrison surrendered to him, and he also overpowered a machine-gun crew before finally being shot by a nearby machine-gun.

Private Mactier’s actions greatly assisted Australian troops break through the German lines and he is buried in Hem-Monacu cemetery in France, while his VC is displayed in the Australian War Memorial's Hall of Valour.

“This project is important for our community as Private Robert Mactier is the only person awarded the Victoria Cross for Valour in the Greater Shepparton area.

“I am very pleased to announce this funding as I approached Minister Delahunty about this project last December. Mr Robert Mathieson, President of the Tatura RSL Sub-branch had given pictures of the project to me which I was able to show to the Minister along with a letter supporting their application.”

Mr Delahunty said the Victorian Government was proud to work with the Veterans Council to deliver this important funding to the community.

“The Veterans Fund provides ex service organisations, schools, and a community groups with the opportunity to develop initiatives that commemorate the service and sacrifice of our veterans,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Working together we can ensure our important war history is preserved, our veterans’ dependants are cared for and the legacy of our veterans is there for all Victorians to discover, explore and honour,” he said.

Mrs Powell said, “Initiatives like the Mactier statue project play an important role in honoring the service and sacrifice of Victoria’s war veterans and this funding will help the Tatura RSL Sub-branch honour this remarkable man.”

Grants from the Veterans Fund are delivered by the Veterans Council are available to ex service organisations, schools and community groups.
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Powell: War Memorial Restoration Grants available

 Thursday, December 20, 2012

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell is calling on ex-service organisations, councils and community organisations to apply for funding under the Restoring Community War Memorials Grants Program.

The program supports communities in Victoria to restore and enhance local war memorials and honour rolls.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available to upgrade and enhance local commemorative sites and honour rolls.

“There are several war memorials in our community that commemorate the courage, spirit and sacrifice of local servicemen and women,” Mrs Powell said.

“These memorials are a sign of our respect for the sacrifices made by our war veterans and they provide an opportunity for younger generations to learn and appreciate the legacy of our war heroes.

The Victorian Government has helped repair, restore and enhance more than 400 local war memorials since 2005.

Applications forms must be submitted by February 5, 2012, and are available at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/home/grants. Further information is also available at www.veterans.vic.gov.au.
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Constructive meeting with Shepparton RSL Sub Branch - Powell

 Thursday, October 18, 2012

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Hugh Delahunty yesterday met with committee members of the Shepparton RSL Sub Branch.

“I asked Minister Delahunty to meet with the President of Shepparton RSL Sub Branch Peter McPhee, Senior Vice President Colin Falla and Treasurer Bob Wilkie to discuss issues affecting returned service personnel,” Mrs Powell said.

“This was a very important and constructive meeting where Minister Delahunty outlined various programs and forms of assistance available to veterans in the district and we also discussed local issues.

“Minister Delahunty gave advice about government assistance available to the veterans’ community from the ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund, the Veterans’ Fund grants, and also the Restoring Community War Memorial grants. We also discussed the Veterans Information Forums, the Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC awards and the up and coming Centenary of ANZAC.

“There were also specific issues raised which included parking permits for returned service personnel and assistance for carer travel for veterans attending appointments,” Mrs Powell said.

Minister Delahunty said this was a pleasing and productive meeting with the Shepparton RSL Sub Branch.

“It is very important to receive firsthand experiences and knowledge from our local veterans,” he said.

“The committee members of the Sub Branch raised important issues regarding day to day experiences of their veterans who are in need of care for medical related conditions.

“We discussed various approaches that I hope will lead to improvements in the way our communities acknowledge those who have served Australia in active military service.

“One of the most important ways we respect our veterans is by supporting their wellbeing and helping them remain active and involved in the community," Mr Delahunty said. 

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Powell: War Memorial Restoration Grants available

 Friday, November 11, 2011

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell is calling on ex-service organisations, councils and community organisations to apply for funding under the Restoring Community War Memorials Grants Program.

The program supports communities in Victoria restore local war memorials and honour rolls to their original condition.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available to upgrade and enhance local commemorative sites and honour rolls.

“Practically every town or community in the district has a war memorial commemorating the courage, spirit and sacrifice of local servicemen and women,” Mrs Powell said.

“These memorials are a sign of our enduring respect for the sacrifices made by our war veterans.

“They also provide an opportunity for younger generations to learn and appreciate the legacy of our war heroes.

“Over time, these monuments can degrade due to weathering and other factors, which is why this grants program is so important in helping to restore them,” Mrs Powell said.

The Victorian Government has helped repair, restore and enhance more than 350 local war memorials since 2005.

Applications forms must be submitted before Monday 30 January 2012 and are available from Mrs Powell’s Electorate Office, 5 Vaughan St, Shepparton or by visiting www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/home/grants/all-grants/restoring-community-war-memorials
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Indigenous Australians at War exhibition kicks off regional tour

 Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Jeanette Powell today co-opened the regional tour of the Indigenous Australians at War from the Boer War to the Present exhibition in Mildura, along with Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Warren Snowdon.

The exhibition brings together stories of Indigenous men and women who served their country during times of conflict, and was first shown at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne in 2010.

It commences a two-year tour of regional Victoria, with stories and memorabilia of local soldiers being added to the exhibition as it travels across the State.

Mrs Powell said this was an opportunity for all Victorians to recognise and appreciate the important contribution Indigenous people have made, and continue to make, in the defence of Australia.

“Through this exhibition, Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities around the state can come together to honour and reflect on our shared history,” Mrs Powell said.

“The exhibition’s tour across the State goes a long way towards supporting the process of reconciliation.

“The Victorian Government, through Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and the Victorian Veterans’ Council, is pleased to have contributed more than $72,000 towards the tour.

“The funding allows for the collection of additional exhibition material from soldiers and their families not previously included,” Mrs Powell said.

“This regional touring program is building a more comprehensive record of the extraordinary contribution of Aboriginal soldiers than has previously been recognised.

“We are unearthing new and important stories about the bravery and commitment of Aboriginal soldiers from regional Victoria.

“The exhibition includes Mildura locals such as Private Daniel Hodgekiss, a labourer whose bravery in taking out an enemy machinegun, preventing the advance of his battalion, was noted in the Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918.

“Also featured are two brothers born in the region, Ron and Eric Carter, who served together in the Second World War. Eric spent 948 days in overseas service and Ron a similar amount of time.

“Sergeant Ken Stewart served throughout the Second World War and was so highly regarded within the community that the Mildura RSL maintains a $2000 annual scholarship in his name.

“The scholarship is awarded to a young Indigenous person who wishes to study a Bachelor of Education at LaTrobe University in Mildura.

“Victorians are united in the deep respect and gratitude we feel towards the men and women who serve our country, defend our freedoms, and sadly all too often, sacrifice their lives, during times of conflict.

“It is inspiring to think of the proud and dignified service and sacrifices made by Indigenous soldiers in the First and Second World Wars, as they enlisted to fight for their country even when they did not enjoy equal rights back home,” Mrs Powell said.

The Indigenous Australians at War from the Boer War to the Present exhibition will run in Mildura until 24 November, before moving to the Burke Museum in Beechworth on 3 December 2011.

It will travel to Portland, Hamilton, Shepparton, Geelong, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Benalla, Wodonga, Sale, Morwell and Lakes Entrance during the two-year tour.

For more information, please visit www.shrine.org.au
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Veterans Council Grants now open - Powell

 Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell is pleased to announce that applications for the 2011/2012 Victorian Veterans Council Grants programs and ANZAC Proceeds Fund are now open.

Mrs Powell said the Veterans Council Grants Program provides practical support to the veteran community through funding of welfare support, commemorative and educational initiatives.

“Grants of up to $30,000 are available through the Victorian Veterans Fund for projects which honour and commemorate the service and sacrifice of veterans and inform Victorians about our history of service,” Mrs Powell said.

“This is a great opportunity for local veterans groups, community organisations or schools to be involved in projects that support the veterans in our community.”

The ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund is for projects which provide the ex-service community with welfare services or assistance, equipment that benefits their welfare, operating costs of capital items used for the provision of welfare, emergency minor repairs to accommodation or communications within their organisations.

Applications for the ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund must be submitted by Monday 5 September 2011 while Veterans Fund applications close Monday 19 September 2011.

Application forms are available from Mrs Powell’s office 5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton ph 58316944 or online at www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au

For more information, call the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356.
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Powell: War Memorial Restoration Grants available

 Tuesday, December 14, 2010

State Member for Shepparton District, Jeanette Powell is calling on all ex-service organisations, councils and community organisations to apply for a grant to assist in restoration work of local war memorials.
“Grants are available for funding of up to $10,000 to upgrade and enhance local commemorative sites and honour rolls,” Mrs Powell said.
“Practically every community has a war memorial commemorating the courage, spirit and sacrifice of local servicemen and women.
“Unfortunately, over time these memorials suffer from the elements and this grants program is designed to ensure local war memorials and honour rolls are restored to their original condition.

“Our war memorials are a sign of our enduring respect for the sacrifices made by our war veterans.

“They also provide an opportunity for our younger generations to learn about and appreciate the legacy of our war veterans,” Mrs Powell said.

Some examples of the type of projects that will be considered for funding include:

• repairs to broken statues that form part of a memorial
• repairs to barriers and fences that surround and protect a memorial
• re-lettering of honour rolls
• restoration of commemorative plaques that form an integral part of an Avenue of Honour
• the installation of additional plaques on existing memorials or additional names on existing honour rolls
• the provision of seating and paving around the immediate commemorative site
• the relocation of a memorial to its original position
• the relocation of a memorial where the current location poses safety risks.

Applications for the grant close on January 31, 2011 and are available from Mrs Powell’s office, 5 Vaughan St, Shepparton 58316944, at www.veterans.vic.gov.au or by contacting Information Victoria on 1300 366 356.

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Powell – Coalition government to commit funds for Bourchier memorial

 Monday, November 15, 2010

State Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell announced today a Liberal Nationals Government would provide $50,000 towards a suitable memorial to honour local and national hero and statesman Brigadier Sir Murray Bourchier, CMG, DSO, VD.
“This will be welcome news for the local committee which I have worked with for several years,” Mrs Powell said.
“I have met regularly with Mr Peter McPhee, President of the Shepparton RSL and deputy chair of region 9 RSL and the Greater Shepparton City Council to discuss the type of statue, the estimated cost and possible location.
“Brigadier Sir Murray Bourchier served in the 4th Light Horse regiment at Gallipoli and led the famous charge of the Light Horse on Beersheba in World War I in 1917, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
“The Australian film The Lighthorsemen depicts the charge of the light brigade and Australian actor Tony Bonner plays Brigadier Sir Murray Bourchier.
“When the war ended he returned to the district to farm at Katandra.
“He was particularly concerned about the health and well-being of returned soldiers and was awarded the volunteer decoration for his community work and his work caring for returned soldiers,” Mrs Powell said.
Brigadier Sir Murray Bourchier became a member of the Legislative Assembly in the Victorian Parliament, representing the former electorate of Goulburn Valley, now the electorate of Shepparton, from 1920 until 1936. He was also the Minister for Agriculture from 1924 to 1927, and served as Deputy Premier and was the Leader of the Country Party from 1933 to 1935. In 1936 he accepted the position of Agent-General for Victoria in England/
Brigadier Sir Murray Bourchier died in London in 1937 of pneumonia. He was knighted posthumously and is buried at the Shepparton Cemetery.
“These funds will help the local committee’s push for a suitable memorial so that future generations can appreciate his many outstanding achievements and remarkable courage.
“This will be a very fitting tribute as Brigadier Sir Murray Bourchier is not just a local hero, he is a Victorian and national hero,” Mrs Powell said.
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Medibank Private Tells Powell Shepparton Store Will Stay Closed

 Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Medibank Private has responded to a letter from State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell stating declining transaction numbers forced the closure of its Shepparton store.
The Group Manager – Government and Public Affairs wrote in her letter to Mrs Powell that Medibank Private will send a representative to a meeting of the Goulburn Valley Association of Independent Retirees to demonstrate how to use its online member services website to provide an alternative to personal over-the-counter transactions.
Mrs Powell initially wrote to Medibank Private urging them to reconsider the closure of the Shepparton Medibank Private office.
“Many residents contacted my office voicing their disapproval about the removal of the service in Shepparton, and expressing their desire for personal contact rather than an online service,” Mrs Powell said.
“In their response to my letter, Medibank Private’s group manager has said transaction numbers at the Shepparton retail centre had declined to about 20 a day prior to its closure, which led to the difficult decision to close.”
The letter says “We recognise the closure of the retail centre will inconvenience some of your constituents” and goes on to say there are other channels available such as online and point of sale claiming, telephone enquiries and for premium payments- over the counter at any Australia Post outlet.
“They have said a new mobile kiosk will be deployed to Shepparton from time to time, which will be operated by the former manager of the Shepparton retail centre,” Mrs Powell said.
“I am disaapointed Medibank Private will not reconsider its decision to close as many people do not have Internet access or skills to use the online service,“ Mrs Powell said.
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New Round of War Memorial Restoration Grants Open - Powell

 Monday, October 25, 2010

State Member for Shepparton District, Jeanette Powell is calling on all ex-service organisations, councils and community organisations to apply for a grant to assist in restoration work of local war memorials.
“Grants are available for funding of up to $10,000 to upgrade and enhance local commemorative sites and honour rolls,” Mrs Powell said.
“Practically every community has a war memorial commemorating the courage, spirit and sacrifice of local servicemen and women.
“Unfortunately, over time these memorials suffer from the elements and this grants program is designed to ensure local war memorials and honour rolls are restored to their original condition.

“Our war memorials are a sign of our enduring respect for the sacrifices made by our war veterans.

“They also provide an opportunity for our younger generations to learn about and appreciate the legacy of our war veterans,” Mrs Powell said.

Some examples of the type of projects that will be considered for funding include:
• repairs to broken statues that form part of a memorial
• repairs to barriers and fences that surround and protect a memorial
• the rectification of sinking foundations
• re-lettering of honour rolls
• restoration of commemorative plaques that form an integral part of an Avenue of Honour
• the provision of seating and paving around the immediate commemorative site
• the relocation of a memorial to its original position
• the relocation of a memorial where the current location poses safety risks.

Applications for the grant close on January 31, 2011 and are available from Mrs Powell’s office, 5 Vaughan St, Shepparton 58316944, by phoning 1300 366 356 or online at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/veterans/veterans-heritage/war-memorials
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Contact: Electorate Office: 5 Vaughan Street SHEPPARTON 3630. Phone: (03) 5831 6944 Fax: (03) 5831 6836