The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA056c
Wednesday 11 June 2008
$560,000 BOOST FOR QUEENSLAND’S VETERAN COMMUNITY
Eighty ex-service organisations across Queensland will share a $559,991 update to their
equipment so they can better help the veteran and service communities through the claims
process, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, announced today.
Mr Griffin said more than 250 ex-service organisations (ESOs) across the country received a
total of $2.24 million in support, delivering on an election promise to upgrade ESOs’ capital
equipment.
“Many veterans, war widows, widowers, dependants and current serving members depend on
the support and guidance provided by their local ESOs, particularly in relation to the claims
process,” Minister Griffin said.
“Today’s funding, through the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) program, will
help purchase capital equipment essential to the work of advocates, pension and welfare
officers.
“Advocates, pension and welfare officers need equipment such as computers, printers and
internet access to assist them in providing services to the veteran and ex-service communities.
“I am pleased to say that every applicant that met the criteria has been provided with funding.
“This Government recognises the need of ESOs to maintain their equipment and resources.
This year’s funding has met the existing demand and support will be provided over the next
three years by the remaining $2.8 million of funding.
“I was pleased to announce as part of the Federal Budget that support for ESOs would be
increased by $14.9 million over four years, including 2007/08. This funding also includes
increased assistance for the Training and Information Program (TIP) which gives veterans’
representatives the necessary skills to support the veteran and service communities.
“I encourage all ESOs to take advantage of the funding offered by the Government. The better
equipped ESOs are, the better they are able to support Australia’s veteran and ex-service
communities,” Mr Griffin said.
Further information on applying for BEST, and other veterans grants, is available from the
Department of Veterans’ Affairs, phone 133 254 (metro callers) or 1800 555 254 (non-metro
Media inquiries: Laura Ryan 0437 863 109
Editors note: A list of grant recipients is attached.
Building Excellence in Support and Training Queensland Recipients
The Hervey Bay Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive
$4680 to help purchase two computers and a printer.
The Armed Services Assistance Centre will receive $21,620 to help purchase equipment
including five computers, internet access, a photocopier, filing cabinets and other office
furniture.
Bribie Island RSL Sub-branch will receive $1098 to help purchase a printer and a
noticeboard.
The Cooloola Coast Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will
receive $1440 to help purchase a computer.
Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL Sub-branch will receive $15,975 to help purchase five
computers, two printers, a photocopier and paper shredder.
The Manly-Lota RSL Sub-branch will receive $13,708 to help purchase equipment including
three computers, internet access, a photocopier and office furniture.
The Queensland Branch of the Regular Defence Forces and Welfare Association will receive
$5919 to help purchase internet access and computer software.
Everyman’s Welfare Service Limited will receive $3850 to help purchase two computers,
internet access and a printer.
The Western Suburbs Veterans’ Support Network will receive $3483 to help purchase a
computer and printer.
The Gympie RSL Sub-branch will receive $720 to help purchase internet access.
The Queensland Branch of the Partners of Veterans Association of Australia will receive
$20,442 to help purchase equipment including five computers, internet access, a printer,
computer software and office furniture.
The North Queensland Branch of the Australian Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Veterans’
Association will receive $2570 to help purchase internet access, a photocopier and paper
shredder.
The Cooroy-Pomona Sub-branch of the Regular Defence Forces and Welfare Association
will receive $2700 to help purchase a computer and printer.
The Townsville Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive
$5350 to help purchase a photocopier and filing cabinet.
The Queensland Branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Federation of Australia will receive
$21,357 to help purchase a telephone system, photocopier, television and projector.
The Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Association, Queensland Branch, will receive
$1779 to help purchase a printer and computer.
Sandgate RSL Sub-branch will receive $4100 to help purchase a computer and television.
The Bribie Island and Districts Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia
will receive $1329 to help purchase two computer monitors, internet access and a filing
cabinet.
Runaway Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive $840 to help purchase a computer.
The Mary Valley RSL Sub-branch will receive $2800 to help purchase a computer and
printer.
Beerwah-Peachester RSL Sub-branch will receive $7443 to help purchase equipment
including two computers, two printers, filing cabinets and other office furniture.
Coorparoo RSL Sub-branch will receive $7048 to help purchase three computers, a printer,
modem and router.
Maroochydore RSL Sub-branch will receive $10,559 to help purchase two computers, a
smartboard and projector.
South Eastern District RSL will receive $2022 to help purchase a computer and fax machine.
Ravenshoe RSL Sub-branch will receive $6524 to help purchase two computers, a printer,
internet access and office chairs.
Currumbin Palm Beach Veterans’ Support Centre will receive $1304 to help purchase office
equipment including two stationary cupboards and filing cabinets.
Goodna RSL Sub-branch will receive $3577 to help purchase equipment including a
computer, printer, computer software and filing cabinet.
The Pioneer-Fitzroy-Highlands RSL Sub-branch will receive $10,390 to help purchase five
computers, internet access, paper shredder and computer software and accessories.
The Townsville Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Federation of Australia will receive
$16,350 to help purchase five computers, photocopier, internet access and office chairs.
The Incapacitated Servicemen and Women’s Association of Australia will receive $400 to
help purchase internet access.
Hervey Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive $3417 to help purchase three computers and four
printers.
The Surfers Paradise RSL Sub-branch will receive $9040 to help purchase equipment
including five computers, four printers, a wireless router and projector.
Wondai RSL Sub-branch will receive $13,511 to help purchase equipment including four
computers, two printers, internet access and a photocopier.
The South Queensland Branch of the Australian Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Veterans’
Association will receive $9646 to help purchase three computers, four printers, internet
access and office furniture including filing cabinets.
The Beenleigh RSL Sub-branch will receive $2278 to help purchase a computer.
Graythorne RSL Sub-branch will receive $10,657 to help purchase equipment including
three computers, four printers and office equipment including filing cabinets and a telephone.
Kilcoy RSL Sub-branch will receive $7059 to help purchase equipment including a computer,
filing cabinets, telephone system and internet access.
Lowood RSL Sub-branch will receive $18,760 to help purchase equipment including six
computers, seven printers, a paper shredder and computer software.
The Legacy Fund of Brisbane will receive $8628 to help purchase three computers, three
printers and internet access.
The Queensland Section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $1930 to help
purchase a computer, printer and internet access.
The Cooktown RSL Sub-branch will receive $3844 to help purchase a computer, printer,
internet access and office furniture.
Kalbar RSL Sub-branch will receive $1975 to help purchase a computer and printer.
The Townsville RSL Sub-branch will receive $6138 to help purchase two computers, a
printer and internet access.
The Pine Rivers Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $6008 to help
purchase two computers, a printer and internet access.
The Sandgate Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $3025 to help
purchase a computer, printer, filing cabinet and computer software.
Caloundra RSL Sub-branch will receive $7670 to help purchase four computers, a printer,
shredder and office furniture.
The Totally and Permanently Disabled Ex-servicepersons Association, Townsville, will
receive $2485 to help purchase a computer, paper shredder and filing cabinet.
The Vietnam Logistical Support Veterans’ Association will receive $2855 to help purchase a
computer, internet access and computer software.
The Australian Special Air Service Association, Queensland, will receive $3950 to help
purchase a computer, printer and internet access.
The Tewantin-Noosa RSL Sub-branch will receive $735 to help purchase internet access
and a filing cabinet.
The Legacy Club of Fraser Coast and Country Burnett will receive $13,092 to help purchase
a range of equipment including five computers, a photocopier, printer and computer
software.
The Royal Australian Regiment Association, Queensland Division, will receive $4232 to help
purchase two computers, a printer and paper shredder.
Cairns RSL Sub-branch will receive $27,507 to help purchase six computers and printers, a
photocopier and office furniture.
Bundaberg ESO Support Centre will receive $13,376 to help purchase six computers, two
printers and internet access.
Ipswich and Districts Veterans Support Group will receive $6341 to help purchase
equipment including two computers, three printers, internet access and a paper shredder.
Redlands RSL Sub-branch will receive $5142 to help purchase two computers, a printer and
paper shredder.
Warwick RSL Sub-branch will receive $3620 to help purchase a computer and internet
access.
The Rockhampton Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Federation of Australia will receive
$6700 to help purchase a scanner, wireless internet access, a filing cabinet and photocopier.
The National Servicemen’s Combined Central RSL Sub-branch will receive $2163 to help
purchase a printer, computer and paper shredder.
Emu Park RSL Sub-branch will receive $6464 to help purchase a computer, printer and
internet access.
The Far North Queensland Veterans and Ex-service Support Centre will receive $13,735 to
help purchase two computers, a printer, telephone and office furniture.
Gatton RSL Sub-branch will receive $6450 to help purchase two computers, a printer, paper
shredder, internet access and office chairs.
Wallangarra RSL Sub-branch will receive $1700 to help purchase a photocopier.
Cardwell RSL Sub-branch will receive $5415 to help purchase two computers, a printer and
internet access.
Proserpine RSL Sub-branch will receive $6057 to help purchase two computers, a printer,
internet access and office furniture.
Veterans’ Support and Advocacy Service, Ipswich Office, will receive $4759 to help
purchase two computers, a printer, paper shredder and internet access.
The St George Office of the Veterans’ Support and Advocacy Service will receive $5798 to
help purchase internet access and install storage cupboards.
The Rockhampton and Central Queensland Legacy Fund will receive $1632 to help
purchase internet access and computer software.
The Veterans’ Support and Advocacy Service will receive $40,436 to help purchase
equipment including eight computers, a printer, scanner, photocopier, internet access,
computer software and office furniture.
Capricornia RSL Sub-branch will receive $800 to help purchase a printer.
City-Newfarm RSL Sub-branch will receive $2900 to help purchase a computer, printer and
internet access.
Gordonvale RSL Sub-branch will receive $6150 to help purchase two computers, two
printers and internet access.
Maleny RSL Sub-branch will receive $435 to help purchase computer equipment.
The Sunshine Coast Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will
receive $5911 to help purchase two printers, two computers, filing cabinets, a paper
shredder and internet access.
Carlyle Gardens Townsville RSL Sub-branch will receive $1687 to help purchase a
computer.
The Warwick Office of the Veterans’ Support and Advocacy Service will receive $3202 to
help purchase a computer, printer, photocopier, paper shredder, telephone and internet
access.
Pine Rivers ESO Support Centre will receive $20,370 to help purchase equipment including
six computers, three printers, computer software and office furniture.
Central Queensland Veterans’ Support Centre will receive $11,274 to help purchase
equipment including computer accessories such as memory sticks, office furniture and a
paper shredder.
Toowoomba RSL Sub-branch will receive $6694 to help purchase two computers, a printer,
internet access and office furniture.
The Beaudesert RSL Sub-branch will receive $961 for internet access, one filing cabinet and
one computer chair.
NEWS 
