$167,000 BOOST FOR VETERAN COMMUNITY IN TASMANIA

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, today announced grants totalling $167,000 will be distributed to local organisations in Tasmania as part of the Australian Government’s Veteran & Community Grants program.

Mr Billson said the funding demonstrated the Government’s commitment to supporting organisations dedicated to the welfare of Australia’s veterans.

“Veteran & Community Grants provide an important source of funding for projects that support a healthy, quality lifestyle for members of the veteran community,” Mr Billson said.

The program also funds projects that help veterans, war widows and widowers continue to live independently in their own homes, as well as initiatives that reduce social isolation, improve access to community care services and support carers.

Projects and initiatives supported through the grants program have included day clubs, purchasing equipment for Men’s Sheds around Australia, health programs including Cooking for One or Two and a range of social activities for the veteran community.

“The Australian Government is providing much needed support for a range of projects designed to help veterans, war widows and widowers and their dependants across Australia,” Mr Billson said.

“Veteran & Community Grants are available to ex-service and community organisations, veteran representative groups and private organisations that contribute to improvements in the quality of life of members of the veteran community.

“More than $3.1 million is available to eligible organisations through these grants in 2007-08, providing much needed support for a range of projects designed to help veterans, war widows and widowers and their dependants across Australia.

“Our veterans deserve our support for their service and sacrifice in the defence of our nation, and for their continuing role in the development of our community,” he said.

For more information about the Veteran & Community Grants program, go to www.dva.gov.au/health/grants or contact your DVA State office on 1300 550 465.  

Media inquiries: Cameron Hill  0408 239 521

Veteran & Community Grant Tasmania Recipients

• The National Servicemen’s Association Mersey Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings for local veterans.

• The Burnie/Wynyard Sub-branch of the Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings for local veterans.

• The Launceston South Sub-branch of the Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings for local veterans.

• The Lilydale RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings for local veterans.

• The Tasmanian RSL Bowls Association will receive a grant of $2910 to help with bus hire costs for members to continue to participate in intra-state bowls tournaments.

• The Huon RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1850 to help purchase a laptop computer for the Sub-branch.

• The Somerset/Wynyard Legacy Widows Club will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings.

• The Launceston Sub-branch of the War Widows Guild of Australia will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings.

• The Burnie RSL Ladies Auxiliary will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings.

• The Taroona Ex-Services Club will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings.

• The King Island RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4766 to help purchase special seating for the club including six hip chairs.

• The RAAF Association Hobart Branch will receive a grant of $37,828 to help renovate toilet facilities for improved disability access.

• The Launceston Branch of the RAAF Association will receive a grant of $2548 to help purchase computer equipment.

• Eat Well Tasmania will receive a grant of $42,230 to help implement the Community Cooking Demonstrator Project in conjunction with the War Widows’ Guild, Hobart Legacy and Country Women’s Association Tasmania.

• The George Town Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $2948 to help purchase computer equipment to produce a newsletter.

• Dorset Men’s Shed will receive a grant of $48,000 to help employ a project officer for the Men’s Shed.