The $136,340 in funding from Batch 2 of the 2024-25 Saluting Their Service (STS) Commemorative Grants Program will help support the delivery of a new audiovisual storyscape project at the Bendigo Military Museum.

The Bendigo Military Museum is fully supported by the Bendigo District RSL Sub-Branch, and it is one of the largest memorial museums in Australia. Home to a range of military memorabilia, the museum tells the story of the contributions of our local heroes in various conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

The new project will add a new interactive storytelling experience to the museum, layering existing artefacts and tangible history with cutting-edge experiential soundscapes and audiovisual material, transcending traditional storytelling and immersing visitors in the history of Australia’s military service and sacrifice.

Thanks to the Federal Labor Government’s support for this project, the Bendigo community will now be able to better honour the sacrifices of local veterans, as well as educate residents and students about local stories of service.

Bendigo District RSL Sub-Branch are one of thirty-six organisations across Australia who will share more than $575,000 of funding through this round of the Program.

This will support 30 community-based projects and six major initiatives across Australia, all aimed at commemorating Australia’s veterans and families as well as promoting and preserving Australia’s wartime heritage.

For more information, visit the DVA website at www.dva.gov.au/STSgrants.


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP: 

“The Bendigo Military Museum is an amazing resource that helps educate our community on the important contributions of local service men and women. It is also a space for healing and reflection.

“I am honoured to announce the Federal Labor Government is funding this new project, which will propel these stories forward and preserve the legacy of our veterans well into the future.”


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO BENDIGO MILITARY MUSEUM & BENDIGO DISTRICT RSL SUB-BRANCH MEMBERS (VARIOUS): 

"The Saluting Their Service Grant will develop new and exciting ways to connect our community to our local military and wartime stories to make our past relevant and compelling to new generations." – Jonathan Ridnell, on behalf of the Bendigo Military Museum Committee of Management

“Welcome to the future of historical engagement at the BMM! Our project mission is to layer our artefacts and tangible history with cutting-edge experiential soundscapes and audiovisual material that transcends traditional storytelling, to immerses visitors in the rich history of Australia’s military service and sacrifice.” - Lena Morrison-van Velsen, Curator of the Bendigo Military Museum

“Utilising digital tools and soundscapes to layer information about objects creates customisable pathways for visitors, encouraging discovery and interaction and ensuring accessibility to a broader audience, who won’t have to rely on written text to engage with the content.” - Lena Morrison-van Velsen, Curator of the Bendigo Military Museum

"The Bendigo District RSL Sub-Branch is proud to support this initiative, which will enhance how we share the stories of service and sacrifice with our community. By integrating innovative technology with historical artefacts, we ensure that the legacy of our veterans remains accessible, engaging, and meaningful for future generations." – Glenn Ludeman, President of Bendigo District RSL Sub-Branch