The Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants program was recently expanded to place a focus on the Second World War and later wars, conflicts and peace-keeping operations.

The guidelines now allow for a diverse range of projects to be funded under the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants program.

These include: documentaries, digital projects, and podcasts, as well as community memorials and preservation of wartime memorabilia and displays thereof.

It is important that future generations of Australians learn about the critical role of our service personnel in all conflicts and peace-keeping missions. These grants will help groups in our community to commemorate their local servicemen and women.

Victory in the Pacific Day marked the end of the Second World War - a war that impacted the lives of so many Australians. We should never forget that nearly one million Australians served in the Second World War. Of these, more than 39,000 died and another 30,000 were taken as prisoners of war.

I encourage groups in our community to consider making an application for a project that commemorates our local Second World War history.

Our government is committed to capturing the powerful moments of Australia's military heritage as well as the courage and sacrifice of Australian service personnel.

With this expanded funding, communities can hold their own commemorative service, or look at other creative ways to mark Victory in Pacific Day in their home town.

These projects will leave a lasting legacy in communities and educate the next generation so that the memory of Australian service men and women will live on.

Applications for the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants program are now open on the Community Grants Hub (communitygrants.gov.au/) and close on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.