Preparing for ANZAC
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Victor Dominello has met with representatives of the NSW Association of Jewish Ex-Service Men and Women at the Great Synagogue in Sydney.
Gabrielle Upton, Bruce Notley-Smith and Victor Dominello [centre] with representatives of the NSW JBD, NAJEX and The Great Synagogue.
Minister Dominello discussed with the organisation their planned activities for the Centenary of Anzac commemoration.
Mr Dominello, who was joined by Member for Coogee Bruce Notley-Smith and Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton, said the NSW Government had recently provided a grant of $10,000 to assist NAJEX with a number of commemorative initiatives.
“The NSW Government is pleased to be able to support NAJEX and the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies to hold a Centenary of Anzac commemorative service on Sunday 3 May 2015 where around 1,500 people are expected to attend,” Mr Dominello said.
“We’ve also provided a grant of $6,700 to The Great Synagogue to help restore a First World War honour board, which commemorates more than 300 Jewish Australian soldiers from NSW who served in the Australian Imperial Forces.
“It’s not widely known that such a high proportion of Jewish Australians enlisted to serve in the First World War so it’s important that their stories are brought to the fore during the Centenary of Anzac period.
“The NSW Government’s Joining Forces initiative encourages multicultural communities to get involved in grassroots Centenary of Anzac activities and it’s great to see the Jewish community embracing the opportunity to commemorate local diggers.”
Mr Notley-Smith said the funding would allow the stories of Jewish Australian soldiers who served during the Great War to be remembered by future generations.
“Today I acknowledge the efforts of NAJEX and The Great Synagogue, which through these initiatives, will ensure there is wider recognition of the sacrifices made by Australian soldiers of Jewish ancestry,” Mr Notley-Smith said.
“It is important that all Australians develop a greater understanding of the sacrifices made by veterans from diverse backgrounds; and this funding will help promote the flame of remembrance amongst young people in our communities”.
Ms Upton said that the funding would commemorate Jewish veterans with honour and respect.
“It is vital that all veterans are remembered with honour and dignity, and I commend NAJEX, The Great Synagogue and the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies for their leadership in seeing these important activities realised,” Ms Upton said.
