The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA056b
Wednesday 11 June 2008
$679,000 BOOST FOR NSW VETERAN COMMUNITY
More than eighty ex-service organisations across NSW will share a $679,052 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 NSW Recipients
The City of Queanbeyan RSL Sub-branch will receive $2130 to help purchase a computer
and internet access.
The Windsor RSL Sub-branch will receive $5300 to help purchase a photocopier and filing
cabinet.
The City of Albury RSL Sub-branch will receive $16,613 to help purchase equipment
including four computers, a printer, internet connection and computer software.
Avalon Beach RSL Sub-branch will receive $1759 to help purchase a computer and antivirus
software.
The Ballina Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $3308 to help
purchase equipment including a printer, computer, paper shredder and internet access.
The Bangalow RSL Sub-branch will receive $3635 to help purchase a computer, printer,
internet access and a paper shredder.
The Bowraville RSL Sub-branch will receive $2569 to help purchase a computer and internet
access.
Brunswick Heads-Billinudgel RSL Sub-branch will receive $4732 to help purchase
equipment including a computer, computer software and internet access.
The Coffs Harbour Legacy Welfare Fund will receive $2569 to help purchase a computer
and paper shredder.
The Dubbo and Far West Region of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will
receive $3874 to help purchase a photocopier.
The Dungog RSL Sub-branch will receive $4632 to help purchase equipment including a
computer, internet access, filing cabinet and computer software.
Far North Coast Legacy will receive $9860 to help purchase two computers, internet access
and a photocopier.
Forster Tuncurry RSL Sub-branch will receive $6307 to help purchase equipment including
two computers, two conference phones, printers and a paper shredder.
Huskisson RSL Sub-branch will receive $13,410 to help purchase equipment including four
computers, a printer and internet access.
The Korean War Veterans’ Association NSW will receive $3669 to help purchase equipment
including a computer, paper shredder and internet access.
Kyolge RSL Sub-branch will receive $5244 to help purchase equipment including a printer,
telephone connection, filing cabinet and two office workstations.
Maclean RSL Sub-branch will receive $6580 to help purchase a printer, computer,
photocopier and internet access.
Manning Valley Great Lakes Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Social and Welfare Club
will receive $5393 to help purchase equipment including a computer, printer, computer
software and wireless router.
North Sydney RSL Sub-branch will receive $853 to help purchase internet access, an
answering machine and a paper shredder.
Ourimbah Lisarow RSL Sub-branch will receive $12,229 to help purchase equipment
including a computer, printer, filing cabinet and office desk.
South-West Rocks RSL Sub-branch will receive $10,158 to help purchase equipment
including three computers, three printers, computer software and internet access.
Sydney Legacy will receive $5626 to help purchase three computers and a printer.
32 JRTE Association will receive $2640 to help purchase equipment including a printer,
computer, telephone and internet access.
Abermain RSL Sub-branch will receive $3124 to help purchase equipment including two
computers, a printer, photocopier and filing cabinet.
The NSW Division of the Australian Flying Corps and Royal Australian Air Force Association
will receive $7845 to help purchase equipment including two computers, internet access,
printer and filing cabinet.
Alstonville RSL Sub-branch will receive $10,700 to help purchase equipment including two
computers, internet access, a speaker phone and a photocopier.
The Armidale RSL Sub-branch will receive $21,093 to help purchase equipment including
seven computers, four printers, filing cabinets and a whiteboard.
Ballina RSL Sub-branch will receive $6956 to help purchase equipment including two
computers, a printer, security cabinets and internet access.
The Boolaroo-Speers Point RSL Sub-branch will receive $3874 to help purchase a
computer, printer and multi-function telephone and answering machine.
Botany RSL Sub-branch will receive $4736 to help purchase equipment including a
computer, printer, scanner and internet access.
Cessnock RSL Sub-branch will receive $5244 to help purchase equipment including a
computer and computer software, internet access, printer and two filing cabinets.
Chatsworth-Iluka RSL Sub-branch will receive $1166 to help purchase internet access, a
paper shredder and filing cabinet.
Clarence Valley Vietnam Veterans Association will receive $4292 to help purchase two
computers and two printers.
Coldale RSL Sub-branch will receive $1408 to help purchase a computer and printer.
Corrimal RSL Sub-branch will receive $2658 to help purchase a computer, telephone
connection and internet access.
Cowra RSL Sub-branch will receive $4123 to help purchase equipment including two
computers, a whiteboard and filing cabinet.
East Maitland RSL Sub-branch will receive $500 to help purchase office chairs.
The Toukley Branch of the Extreme Disablement Adjustment Veterans Association of
Australia will receive $2330 to help purchase a computer, printer and internet access.
The Extremely Disabled War Veterans Association of Newcastle and Hunter Region will
receive $3228 to help purchase a printer, photocopier, paper shredder and external hard
drive.
The Far South Coast Ex-Pensions Support Centre will receive $1234 to help purchase a
printer and internet access.
Gloucester RSL Sub-branch will receive $1747 to help purchase a laptop and printer.
The Gosford City Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive
$3726 to help purchase equipment including a printer, paper shredder, internet access and
office chairs.
The Goulburn RSL Sub-branch will receive $2389 to help purchase internet access, a
photocopier and fax machine.
The Legacy Club of Grafton will receive $4137 to help purchase equipment including a
computer, printer, filing cabinet and office chairs.
Greta RSL Sub-branch will receive $3988 to help purchase a computer, printer, computer
stand and software.
Hastings Manning Macleay Vietnam Veterans Association will receive $6671 to help
purchase equipment including two computers, internet access, filing cabinet and office
chairs.
The Integrated Service Peoples Association of Australia will receive $4748 to help purchase
a computer, internet access, projector and projector screen.
Illawarra Veterans Entitlement Services will receive $8949 to help purchase equipment
including office chairs, paper shredder, two computers and internet access.
The City of Lismore RSL Sub-branch will receive $2983 to help purchase equipment
including a printer, computer, paper shredder and internet access.
Maitland RSL Sub-branch will receive $14,020 to help purchase two computers, printer,
photocopier and office desks.
Merewether RSL Sub-branch will receive $3621 to help purchase a computer, printer, paper
shredder, filing cabinet and internet access.
Moree RSL Sub-branch will receive $4476 to help purchase a computer, printer, internet
access, filing cabinet and paper shredder.
Murwillumbah RSL Sub-branch will receive $2165 to help purchase equipment including a
computer, office chairs and a filing cabinet.
The Newcastle Branch of the National Service and Combined Forces Association of
Australia will receive $3912 to help purchase equipment including a computer, printer,
internet access and office furniture.
Nelsen Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive $2090 to help purchase a computer, filing cabinet
and office furniture.
Newcastle and Hunter Region Vietnam Veterans will receive $7926 to help purchase two
computers, printers and internet access.
Newcastle Legacy will receive $86,175 to help purchase equipment including nine
computers, two printers, scanner, office furniture and internet access.
The NSW Section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $3125 to help purchase a
computer, printer and modem.
Oberon RSL Sub-branch will receive $6641 to help purchase equipment including two
computers, printers, filing cabinets, office furniture and internet access.
The Penshurst RSL Sub-branch will receive $8808 to help purchase equipment including
three computers, a printer, paper shredder and projector.
Port Stephens Legacy received $4663 to help purchase two computers and a printer.
The Partners of Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive $3875 to help purchase
equipment including a computer, printer, internet access and projector.
The NSW Branch of the Partners of Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive $8221 to
help purchase three computers, a printer and office furniture.
The NSW Branch of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Association will receive $1504 to
help purchase a computer and wireless mouse.
The Riverina Sub-section of the Vietnam Veterans’ Peacekeepers and Peacemakers
Association of Australia will receive $4292 to help purchase a computer, printer, internet
access, filing cabinet and an office chair.
The Rooty Hill Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $4756 to help
purchase three computers, printers and internet access.
The NSW RSL Branch will receive $24,010 to help purchase 14 computers and printers.
The Welfare and Benevolent Institution of the NSW RSL Branch will receive $8191 to help
purchase two computers, a printer, internet access and office furniture.
The Shortland RSL Sub-branch will receive $10,452 to help purchase equipment including
two computers, a printer, photocopier and filing cabinet.
Stuart’s Point RSL Sub-branch will receive $3182 to help purchase equipment including a
computer, printer, office furniture and internet access.
The Sutherland Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $3300 to help
purchase a computer and printer.
The War Widows Guild of Australia, NSW Branch, will receive $4692 to help purchase a
computer, computer software and a projector.
The Tamworth RSL Sub-branch will receive $8215 to help purchase two computers,
computer software and internet access.
The Toronto RSL Sub-branch will receive $10,045 to help purchase three computers,
photocopier and printer.
The Toukley RSL Sub-branch will receive $7000 to help purchase a computer and
photocopier.
The Totally and Permanently Disabled Soldiers Association of Australia, Newcastle Branch,
will receive $1877 to help purchase two printers, internet access and office chairs.
The Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Veterans’ Association of NSW will receive $6380
to help purchase three computers, a printer and internet access.
The Far North Coast (NSW) Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia
will receive $14,014 to help purchase equipment including two computers, a photocopier and
internet access.
The Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia National Council NSW Branch will receive
$54,850 to help purchase equipment including 18 computers, six scanners, printers, internet
access and three photocopiers.
The Vietnam Veterans’ Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association of Australia NSW
Branch will receive $63,568 to help purchase equipment including five computers, printers,
internet access and office furniture.
The Wentworth and Coomealla Districts Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Peacekeepers
and Peacemakers Association of Australia will receive $10,260 to help purchase equipment
including two computers, a printer, internet access and office furniture.
Wallsend RSL Sub-branch will receive $710 to help purchase a printer, a paper shredder
and internet access.
The Waratah-Mayfield RSL Sub-branch will receive $4063 to help purchase a computer,
printer, filing cabinet and paper shredder.
The Vietnam Veterans’ Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association of Australia Central
West Sub-branch will receive $2888 to help purchase a computer, printer and computer
software.
Wingham RSL Sub-branch will receive $2358 to help purchase a computer, printer, memory
stick and internet access.
The Woolgoola RSL Sub-branch will receive $5539 to help purchase two computers, a
printer, office equipment, a telephone and internet access.
Woy Woy Ettalong Hardys Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive $1900 to help purchase a
computer, printer and internet access.
The Brisbane Waters Branch of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Association of
Australia will receive $4349 to help purchase a computer, printer, paper shredder and
internet access.
NEWS 
