Teddy Sheean VC Memorial Grants Program

Teddy Sheean VC Memorial Grants Program 2022-23 Round One

Status: CLOSED

Applications closed at 2:00 pm on Thursday, 15 September 2022.

The details of the successful applicants will be made publicly available no later than November 2022. Unsuccessful applicants will receive a letter advising they have been unsuccessful, with details of how to request feedback on their application.

Overview

The Teddy Sheean VC Memorial Grants Program honours the sacrifice made by Edward 'Teddy' Sheean VC, as a representative of the many Tasmanians who gave their lives selflessly for others in the defence of our country during World War Two.

In June 1942 Teddy began his service as an Oerlikon anti-aircraft gunner on the newly commissioned corvette, HMAS Armidale. On 1 December 1942, Armidale was hit by two aircraft-launched torpedoes and began to sink. Sheean was wounded but rather than abandon ship, he strapped himself to his Oerlikon and began to engage the attacking aircraft as the ship sunk beneath him. He shot down two planes and crewmates recall seeing tracer rising from beneath the surface as Sheean was dragged under the water, firing until the end. He died aged 18 years. Only 49 of the 149 men on board survived the attack and subsequent ordeal on rafts and in life boats. Many consider that Sheean's actions deserved the Victoria Cross.

The Teddy Sheean VC Memorial Grants Program provides funds to Tasmanian ex-service organisations and clubs for minor capital works and equipment purchases and welfare initiatives for veterans. Funds are also available to a range of organisations for the repair and maintenance of war memorials, and for the construction of new memorials in Tasmania.

Communities, Sport and Recreation (CSR) in the Department of Communities Tasmania is responsible for administering the Program.

Funding Availability

The total funding pool for Round One is $50 000.

• Grants of up to $10 000 are available for minor capital works and/or refurbishment.
• Grants of up to $5 000 are available for equipment purchases.
• Grants of up to $5 000 are available for welfare initiatives.
• Grants of up to $5 000 are available for the repair and maintenance of existing war memorials, and the construction of new memorials.

Applicants are requested to indicate on their application whether they will accept partial funding. Organisations may submit up to two applications, with applications to be ranked in order or priority.

It is anticipated that funding for successful applications will be provided in November 2022. The project must be completed and grant money expended within 12 months of receipt of the grant agreement.

Organisations that currently have a grant with overdue reporting and acquittal obligations will not receive grant funding from this Program until the reporting and acquittal obligations for the previous grant are completed.

Previous Grant Recipients

Previous successful applicants for Teddy Sheean VC Memorial Grants Program may be viewed here.

For further information, please contact Communities, Sport and Recreation by email at csrgrants@communities.tas.gov.au or phone on 1800 204 224.