FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce has congratulated the latest recipients of grants under the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program who will share between them $10,000.

Tenterfield’s Oracles of the Bush will receive $5,000 while the Walcha RSL sub-branch will also receive a grant of $5,000.

Mr Joyce said the grants would play an important part in helping towns like Tenterfield and Walcha within the New England Electorate to celebrate the Anzac Centenary.

“The connection to this event is becoming more pronounced rather than less,” Mr Joyce said.

“Therefore it has a deep commemorative and in some instances almost spiritual connection for so many people as a reflection of who they are.

“We shouldn’t forget these people for once we forget them we forget who we are,” he said.

Oracles of the Bush President, Jann Newman said the money would help promote next year’s festival theme, the Centenary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli.

“The grant money would be used in part for visits to schools in and around Tenterfield to encourage the children to become involved by producing art and or poetry for the festival,” Mrs Newman said.

She said the Oracles of the Bush used poetry and art to focus a positive light on the topic and to help coordinate local commemoration services.