Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Damian Drum and Minister for the Arts Heidi  Victoria have today announced joint funding to ensure that important World  War I memorabilia will continue to be preserved and made available to the  public.

The Ministers jointly announced $114,000 in Victorian Coalition Government  funding to help Victorian RSL Sub-Branches to digitise their historical  collections and place them online throughout 2014, as part of the  Victorian Collections website. The RSL has also contributed $24,500  in-kind support.

“The RSL has identified the preservation of its Anzac House and RSL  Sub-Branch memorabilia heritage collections as a significant priority for  the Anzac Centenary (2014-2018),” Mr Drum said.

“This funding will ensure the RSL can continue to have its collections  digitised, photographed and permanently recorded online, and made  accessible to the wider Victorian community through the training of RSL  Sub-Branch volunteers.”

Minister for the Arts Heidi Victoria said investing in this project showed  the Napthine Government’s commitment to preserving Victoria’s cultural  heritage.

“We are grateful for the enthusiastic support of so many dedicated  volunteers, whose efforts help educate and inspire the wider Victorian  community about the service and sacrifice of our veterans,” Ms Victoria  said.

Mr Drum said that, as Victoria’s veteran population aged, it was more  important than ever for Victorian regional and metropolitan communities to  preserve their war-related heritage collections. RSL collections are held  at most of Victoria’s 315 Sub-Branches and include large numbers of World  War I items.

“Medals, satchels, uniforms, flags, photographs and letters from our  veterans are among the many precious artefacts which can now be discovered  online by veterans and the public,” Mr Drum said.

The digitisation program will be managed by Museums Australia (Victoria)  and supported by Veterans’ Affairs and Museum Victoria.