The war memorial at the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall is set for a $10,000 upgrade, thanks to the latest round of grants through the NSW Government’s Community War Memorial Fund.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the funding will go towards reconstructing the war memorial in sandstone, as well as replacing paving to address deteriorating and damaged fabric.
“It is so important that we continue to look after all war memorials across the Central Coast, this is why I am encouraging all community groups and RSL clubs who may be eligible to now apply for the latest round of the Community War Memorial Fund, which is now open,” Crouch said.
Pearl Beach Progress Association spokesperson, Lynne Lillico, said the idea for a memorial hall was raised in 1929 when the association was first formed.
“In 1943 three members of the Association jointly purchased land in Diamond Rd for the purpose of building a community hall which was planned as a war memorial, so contributions to the building fund became tax deductible,” she said.
“World War II called a halt to all inessential building work because of the shortage of materials, but after the war, fund raising picked up with raffles, dances, street stalls and sports carnivals.
“During 1949, local builders were employed on the foundations and framework, and working bees under their supervision did the rest.
“The building was opened officially on September 16, 1950.”
Under the funding, more than $125,000 will be invested in the protection and repair of local war memorials which commemorate the sacrifice of service men and women.
Minister for Transport and Veterans, David Elliott, said grants in the latest round ranged from $3,000 to $10,000.
The next round of the Community War Memorials Fund opened on Anzac Day and closes at 5pm on Monday, July 25.
To be eligible for funding, the memorial must be listed on the NSW War Memorials Register.
Terry Collins