QUEENSLAND VETERANS TO BENEFIT FROM $910,000 IN FUNDING

The Queensland veteran community will benefit from $914,777 in Australian Government funding to better equip ex-service organisations to assist veterans in accessing their rightful entitlements, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, said today.

Mr Billson said the funding will support pension and welfare officers from 75 organisations in Queensland, including Legacy and the RSL, who provide valuable assistance to the veteran community.

“Pension and welfare officers provide much needed help to veterans, war widows and widowers, current and former Defence Force members and their dependants when lodging claims with my Department, or pursuing an appeal,” Mr Billson said.

“This funding will also help ensure ex-service organisations have access to tools and equipment to help prepare the best possible claim for veterans’ entitlements by funding computer equipment, office supplies, internet access and the like.

“Many veterans, especially older veterans, rely on assistance from the ex-service community.  The Australian Government values these essential services and is committed to providing the ex-service community with the necessary financial support, so they can continue their dedicated service to Australia’s past and present servicemen and women.”

Mr Billson said the funding was made available as part of the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) program which provides financial support to fund staff, computer equipment and other resources ex-service organisations need to provide quality services to the veteran community.

“During 2006, the Australian Government provided more than $3.5 million in funding to assist their valuable work in the veteran community.  In 2007 available funding has increased to $3.9 million, recognising the need to improve the services and facilities available to the veteran community.  This brings the total provided by the Government since 1999 to more than $21.5 million.”

The BEST program is administered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and links closely with the Training and Information Program (TIP).  TIP provides crucial training for organisations that receive BEST funding to ensure they have the essential skills to provide quality claim and welfare services to the veteran community.

“The dedicated support that ex-service and community organisations provide to our veteran community is commendable.”
 
Media inquiries: Cameron Hill  0408 239 521

Building Excellence in Support and Training Queensland Recipients

• The Queensland RSL Branch on behalf of the Moreton District RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $47,630 to help employ two pension officers, an advocate and an administrative officer and to purchase internet access, a filing cabinet and computer software.

• Pine Rivers RSL Sub-branch on behalf of Pine Rivers ESO Support Centre will receive a grant of $23,876 to help purchase a computer and internet access.

• The Gatton RSL Sub-branch on behalf of Laidley/Gatton RSL Pension Group will receive a grant of $10,500 to help employ an administrative officer and to purchase a computer and internet access.

• The Wondai RSL Sub-branch on behalf of the South Burnett ESO Support Group will receive a grant of $6000 to help fund travel and running costs.

• The Currumbin/Palm Beach RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $35,715 to help employ a part-time administrative officer and to purchase a printer.

• The Graythorne RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $33,500 to help employ two administrative officers.

• The Sherwood/Indooroopilly RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $34,428 to help employ a supervisor and to purchase a computer and printer.

• The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Southport and Districts will receive a grant of $3000 to help fund travel and running costs.

• The Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Association Incorporated Queensland Branch will receive a grant of $22,800 to help employ a part-time pension officer.

• The Bundaberg RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $39,600 to help employ eight part-time pension and welfare officers, three part-time advocates a part-time administrative officer and to purchase internet access.

• The Emu Park RSL Sub-branch on behalf of the Capricornia Coast Veterans’ Support Service will receive a grant of $7580 to help purchase a computer, printer and internet access.

• The Central Queensland Veterans’ Support Centre will receive a grant of $26,760 to help employ a part-time administrative officer and to purchase computer software, two filing cabinets and internet access.

• The South Eastern District RSL on behalf of the Beaudesert RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2105 to help purchase a photocopier, filing cabinet and internet access.

• The Redcliffe RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $18,080 to help employ a part-time administrative officer and purchase internet access.

• The Queensland RSL Branch in Brisbane will receive a grant of $86,150 to help employ two advocates.

• The Wide Bay and Burnett District Branch on behalf of the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $16,750 to help employ a part-time administrative officer.

• The Legacy Club of Maryborough will receive a grant of $15,750 to help employ a part-time administrative officer.

• The Pioneer-Fitzroy-Highlands RSL District Branch will receive a grant of $17,451 to help employ two part-time administrative officers and to purchase internet access.

• The Queensland RSL Branch on behalf of the Beerwah Peachester RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3915 to purchase a computer, printer and internet access.

• The Veterans’ Support and Advocacy Service Australia, Jimboomba, will receive a grant of $2000 to help fund running costs.

• The Queensland RSL Branch on behalf of Lowood RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $5860 to help purchase internet access and fund running costs.

• Everyman’s Welfare Service will receive a grant of $14,300 to help employ a part-time administrative officer and to purchase internet access.

• The Maroochydore RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4500 to help purchase two computers.

• Brisbane Legacy will receive a grant of $70,425 to help employ two pension and welfare officers and to purchase a computer and printer.

• The Armed Services Assistance Centre Australia will receive a grant of $33,320 to help employ a part-time administrative officer and to purchase a computer, paper shredder and internet access.

• Vietnam Veterans Federation Queensland will receive a grant of $36,800 to help employ an advocate and administrative officer.

• The Regular Defences Forces Welfare Association Queensland will receive a grant of $4000 to help fund travel and running costs.

• The Far North Queensland Veterans and Ex-Service Support Centre will receive a grant of $20,450 to help employ a part-time administrative officer and to purchase a computer, paper shredder, filing cabinet and printer.

• The Queensland Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia will receive a grant of $12,500 to help employ an administrative officer.

• The Townsville Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia will receive a grant of $9150 to help employ an administrative officer.

• The Queensland Section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $600 to help maintain internet access.

• The Cooloola Coast Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia will receive a grant of $760 to purchase a printer and photocopier.

• The National Branch of the Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemakers Veterans’ Association, on behalf of the Queensland branch, will receive a grant of $1585 to help purchase a computer and computer software.

• The Queensland RSL Branch on behalf of the Nerang RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $11,000 to help employ an administrative officer.

• The Tin Can Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4124 to help purchase a computer, computer software and a printer.

• The Redlands RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $13,771 to help employ an administrative officer and to purchase two computers and two paper shredders.

• The Tewantin-Noose RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $6047 to help employ a part-time administrative officer and to purchase a paper shredder and internet access.

• The Sunshine Coast branch Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia will receive a grant of $6147 to help purchase two computer desks, three chairs and internet access.

• Veterans’ Support and Advocacy Service Australia will receive a grant of $21,835 to purchase three computers and office software and to help fund consumables.

• The Townsville Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Federation will receive a grant of $19,300 to help employ an administrative officer and to purchase a computer.

• Runaway Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2239 to purchase a filing cabinet and computer software.

• The Incapacitated Servicemen and Women’s Association of Australia Sunshine Coast Branch will receive a grant of $3479 to purchase a computer, printer and internet access.

• The Warwick RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2704 to help purchase two filing cabinets and internet access.

• The Bribie Island and District Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia will receive a grant of $2000 to help fund running costs.

• The Gympie RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2220 to help maintain internet access.

• The Rockhampton Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Federation will receive a grant of $5670 to help purchase a computer and internet access.

• The Queensland RSL on behalf of the Boonah RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1500 to help fund running costs.

• The Australian Army Aviation Association will receive a grant of $2258 to help maintain internet access and running costs.

• The Surfers Paradise RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $28,589 to help employ a pension officer and administrative officer, and to purchase a computer and printer.

• The South Eastern District RSL Branch on behalf of the RSL South Eastern Districts Advocacy and Welfare Services Greenslopes will receive a grant of $4991 to help purchase two computers, computer software and a photocopier.

• The Veterans’ Support and Advocacy Service Australia (VSASA) on behalf of the Ipswich VSASA Branch will receive a grant of $4100 to help purchase a computer and internet access.

• The Gayndah RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $321 to help purchase various office items.

• The Beenleigh and Districts RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $12,100 to help employ an administrative officer, and purchase a computer and printer.

• The Bribie Island RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1155 to help purchase office furniture.

• Charters Towers RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3112 to help purchase a computer and maintain internet access.

• The Capricornia RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $728 to help purchase office furniture including a chair and filing cabinet.

• The North Queensland Branch of the Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemakers Veterans’ Association will receive a grant of $1500 to help fund running costs.

• The Gladstone RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $9068 to help employ an administrative officer, and purchase a computer and printer.

• The Sandgate RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $11,000 to help employ an administrative officer and purchase a photocopier.

• The Coolum/Perigian RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3121 to help purchase a computer and printer.

• The Veterans’ Support and Advocacy Service Australia (VSASA) on behalf of the St George VSASA Branch, will receive a grant of $1468 to help purchase a paper shredder and maintain internet access.

• The Toowoomba RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $6649 to help employ an administrative officer and to purchase a computer, paper shredder, filing cabinet and internet access.

• The Incapacitated Servicemen and Women’s Association will receive a grant of $6600 to help employ an administrative officer and maintain internet access.

• The Carlyle Gardens Townsville RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $800 to purchase a printer.

• The Far Northern District RSL Branch on behalf of the Ravenshoe RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2730 to help purchase an office chair and filing cabinet.

• The Veterans’ Support and Advocacy Service (VSASA) on behalf of the Warwick VSASA Branch will receive a grant of $1750 to help fund running cost.

• The Submarines Association of Australia Queensland Branch will receive a grant of $2820 to help purchase a computer and printer/fax machine.

• The Russell, Karragarra, Lamb and Macleay Islands RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2549 to help purchase computer software and a paper shredder.

• The Armed Forces and Family Drop-in Centre in Maryborough will receive a grant of $1288 to help purchase a computer and printer.

• The Rockhampton and Central Queensland Legacy Fund will receive a grant of $9727 to help employ an administrative officer and maintain internet access.

• The Cairns Legacy Club will receive a grant of $7700 to help employ an administrative officer.

• The Vietnam Logistical Support Veterans’ Association Queensland will receive a grant of $860 to help maintain internet access.

• Veterans of Vietnam and the Veterans’ Coalition Toowoomba will receive a grant of $3197 to help purchase a computer, printer and paper shredder.

• The Gold Coast Legacy Club will receive a grant of $11,000 to help employ a part-time welfare officer.

• The Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $3720 to help maintain internet access and running costs.