GRANTS TO PRESERVE RATHMINES CATALINA HERITAGE
THE HON GREG COMBET AM MP
Federal Member for Charlton
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Minister for Industry and Innovation
MEDIA RELEASE
04 June 2012
The Member for Charlton, Greg Combet, is pleased to announce funding to support the preservation and promotion of the Catalina flying boat, and its important place in the history of Rathmines.
“Close to $10,000 has been provided to two community groups in Rathmines, through the Federal Government’s Your Community Heritage Grants program,” Mr Combet said.
“The Rathmines Memorial Bowling Club will receive $2,918 to display memorabilia - including a hand crafted diorama of the Rathmines WWII RAAF Base - in the community hall at Rathmines for the week prior to the popular Catalina Festival.”
“The Rathmines Catalina Memorial Park Trust will also receive $6,875 to undertake a large project cataloguing, documenting, recording and uploading their many historic pieces, photographs, and audio recordings they have collected over the past 12 years.”
“I have worked with these two organisations over many years, and have seen their ongoing efforts to promote the legacy of the Catalina in World War Two.”
“I am thrilled this funding will help them continue and expand this important work.”
President of the Rathmines Catalina Festival, Mike Usher, has welcomed the grants.
“This grant enables us to engage with the local youth and teach them about the significance of the WWII RAAF Base at Rathmines,” Mr Usher said.
“The magnificent, handcrafted diorama of the Base, depicting its layout in 1942 - 43, demonstrates the size and importance of the site and is a wonderful educational resource for our young people to learn about their history, the courage of those that trained there & the sacrifices they made for our country.”