Michael Sukkar MP

Deakin to Benefit from the Coalition’s $1.4 Million Community Heritage Grants Program

Michael Sukkar, Liberal Candidate for Deakin, said a Coalition Government would provide funding to the Croydon Historical Society for an important local heritage project.

The funding will form part of the Coalition’s $1.4 million Community Heritage Grants program.

Under a Coalition Government, the Croydon Historical Society will receive $10,000 towards the publication of Croydon Inside and Out (2013), a photographic book documenting the interior and exterior of buildings throughout Croydon, which will become a valuable historical record for future generations.

“Deakin has a unique and fascinating history and there are many great local stories to tell. By protecting and preserving our local heritage, we are ensuring that these stories are not forgotten,” Mr Sukkar said.

“Without the tireless work of the Croydon Historical Society in rescuing historical artefacts and researching local history, our sense of who we are and where we’ve come from would be greatly diminished.”

Mr Sukkar said throughout Australia volunteers invested an incredible amount of time and energy in collecting and preserving our heritage.

The Coalition’s Community Heritage Grants program recognises the importance of local history and provides direct support for the work of local historical and heritage groups across Australia.

Under the program, grants of up to $10,000 will be made available to local historical or heritage groups for the conservation, development and exhibition of our local cultural heritage.

The $1.4 million program will be additional funding on top of existing community heritage funding.

Some examples of projects the grants could fund include:

• historical memorials
• the restoration of a community historical or heritage icon
• commemorative plaques
• interpretive signs
• local history books and other literature
• interpretive history trails/walks
• exhibitions
• heritage events and celebrations

Part of this funding will be set aside to support the important work of the Federation of Australian Historical Societies and the Australian Heritage Council.

The Federation of Australian Historical Societies will receive $80,000 each year for three years to support its work, including in advising and networking with historical and heritage societies and museums, developing training materials and programs and undertaking national outreach.

The Australian Heritage Council will receive $50,000 per year for three years to better undertake its work in supporting Australia’s heritage.