Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, has announced more than $2,000 to support a museum exhibition which will honour a prominent First World War nurse-turned pilot who called Uralla home.

The $2,020 grant to McCrossin’s Mill Museum at Uralla has been awarded under the Federal Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants program, which is honouring the service and sacrifice of Australian personnel involved in all wars, conflicts and peace operations.  

The exhibition will be dedicated to Australian Army Nurse, Hilda McMaugh, who served in First World War and later became one of Australia’s first female pilots. 

“It is people like Hilda – a nurse, pilot and a remarkable Australian - who helped shape the nation we are all lucky to call home today,” Mr Joyce said.

“This is a fantastic project to acknowledge one of the New England’s great pioneers, both as an aviator and in support of Australia’s wartime commitment.

“Our region can be proud of Hilda’s contribution to the war effort and what she achieved later in life.”

Opening dates for the exhibition are yet to be finalised.

Other organisations to receive funding recently under the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants include Armidale’s Saumarez Homestead to display its First World War exhibitions and a new plaque commemorating the 33rd Battalion. Meanwhile, Walcha and District Historical Society was funded to install a glass display cabinet featuring wartime memorabilia at Pioneer Cottage.

Grants applications are open now for 2019-20 financial year. Two categories of Saluting Their Service grants are available under the program:

1. Community Commemorative Grants: Grants up to a maximum of $4,000 available for local, community-based projects and activities.

2. Major Commemorative Grants: Grants available for major commemorative projects and activities that are significant from a national or state/territory perspective.

Visit www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants for more info.

(ENDS)