Veterans headstone project fears federal funding shortfall

The South Australian branch of the Headstone Project is raising concerns that federal funding for the organisation falls short of a promise made in 2022.

The Headstone Project locates World War I veterans in unmarked graves and places a military service headstone to recognise their service to Australia. President of the SA branch, John Brownlie, said giving a veteran a headstone costs about $1,500, with federal government grants contributing $620 toward that cost.

Before the 2022 federal election, the government committed $3.7 million in funding for the Headstone Project nationally. However, federal budget papers show $1.4 million over five years from 2025-2026 has been allocated for a range of memorial initiatives, including the Marking (First World War) Private Graves Grants program.

The grant guidelines show only $58,000 is available nationally for this financial year. Mr Brownlie queried the amount, saying: "Look at what you've [the federal government] promised, and look at what you've delivered, because there's a vast discrepancy."

"I think the behaviour of the government, quite frankly, is egregious," he added.

The federal government did not provide an on-the-record response to the concerns raised by the Headstone Project SA, but it is understood that all eligible applications have been awarded grant funding.

Ian Hopley, a retired police officer who assists with finding graves, said the SA branch had provided headstones to nearly 200 servicemen and women, with about 500 still waiting. He said: "Our work will go on for a very long time, provided we get the right funding and support."

Mr Hopley said he came from a military family and believed the people in unmarked graves should be recognised for their service, adding: "They certainly deserve some sort of recognition, not just a patch of dirt where no one knows where they are."