Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello today announced $60,000 in funding for 11 local projects which support multicultural communities and young people to commemorate the Anzac spirit and its influence on our history.

The NSW Government’s Anzac Community Grants program encourages culturally diverse communities and young people to deepen their knowledge about the legacy of Australia’s involvement in the First World War.

“I am pleased to announce that local organisations, councils and schools will receive up to $10,000 for projects which preserve the Anzac legacy and encourage multicultural communities and students to learn more about this profound chapter of our history.

“This program was established in 2012 to empower migrant communities and younger Australians to share in and contribute to the Anzac story, which is fundamental to our national identity.

“Projects include a remembrance garden created by design and technology students in Liverpool; a video project led by the local library and students entitled “More than Just a Name, World War One” in Canada Bay; and a new youth community webpage for students using the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway in Concord.

“NSW contributed 164,000 First World War enlistments, representing nearly 40 per cent of those who served, and with the Centenary of Anzac starting on 4 August these grants will serve to strengthen grassroots engagement throughout the commemorations.

“We live in one of the most multicultural societies in the world and within our migrant communities there is a rich array of family stories from the First World War across nations, defence forces and battlefields.

“For example, it is not widely reported that approximately 1000 Indian soldiers died at Gallipoli or that a high proportion of Jewish Australians enlisted during the First and Second World War.

“Through the Anzac Community Grants program, the NSW Government is broadening opportunities for people to discover and connect with Anzac traditions and keep the legacy alive,” Mr Dominello said.