$95,000 BOOST FOR VICTORIA VETERAN COMMUNITY

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, today announced grants totalling $95,000 will be distributed to local organisations in Victoria 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 in funding 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 Victoria Recipients

• The Valley Day Club will receive a grant of $9978 to help purchase equipment to establish a Day Club program at Traralgon.

• The Young at Heart Mount Alexander Day Club will receive a grant of $8620 to help purchase equipment to establish a Day Club at Castlemaine.

• The Lang Lang RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $973 to help purchase a portable public address system.

• The Broadford RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $12,316 to help construct a veranda and replace floor coverings at the Sub-branch.

• The Rochester RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $6925 to help refurbish the kitchen facilities at the Sub-branch.

• The Castlemaine Sub-branch of the Returned Soldiers’ and Sailors’ and Airmen’s, Imperial League of Australia (RSSAILA) will receive a grant of $4554 to help upgrade the kitchen facilities at the Sub-branch.

• The Chelsea RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $18,260 to help purchase tables and chairs to furnish the Club’s members’ lounge.

• The Cohuna Leitchville RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3360 to help purchase and install a reverse cycle air conditioner and water heater at the Sub-branch.

• The Geelong and District Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive a grant of $2644 to help purchase fitness equipment.

• Cohuna Neighbourhood House will receive a grant of $10,000 to help establish a Men’s Shed.

• The Red Gum Day Club will receive a grant of $2688 to help with bus hire costs for veteran excursions over the next three years.

• The Legacy Club of Ballarat will receive a grant of $2285 to help with bus hire costs for veteran excursions over the next three years.

• The Victorian Branch of the RAAF Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive a grant of $2408 to help purchase a laptop computer and associated equipment for the production of the Branch newsletter.

• East Gippsland TPI Social Club will receive a grant of $2287 to help purchase computer equipment to produce the club newsletter.

• The South West Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $2516 to help purchase a computer, printer and software to produce a monthly newsletter.

• Essendon Legacy Widows’ Club will receive a grant of $2000 to help purchase computer equipment to produce the club newsletter.

• Patches of Friendship will receive a grant of $4044 to help purchase sewing and craft equipment for a craft group.