The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA074e
Friday, 25 July 2008
EXTRA $126,000 SUPPORT FOR CANBERRA’S VETERANS
The Rudd Government has provided a further $126,565 for ex-service organisations across the
ACT to directly support the needs of local veterans and their families, the Minister for Veterans’
Affairs, Alan Griffin, announced today.
Mr Griffin said the Government had continued to show its strong commitment to the valuable
work of ex-service organisations (ESOs), particularly advocates, pension and welfare officers
who do a great job in helping Australia’s veterans, war widows, widowers, dependants and
current serving members access their entitlements.
“Many veterans look to local ESOs as a first point of contact for advice on getting government
services and benefits and it’s important for ESOs to have the tools and equipment they need to
provide that support,” Mr Griffin said.
“Today’s funding of more than $4.42 million nationally will help ESOs employ trained advocates,
pension and welfare officers and meet ongoing running costs.
“This round of grants builds on the $2.24 million in grants for capital equipment I announced last
month which helped ESOs purchase equipment and resources such as printers, computers and
internet access and met an election commitment to provide additional capital funds for ESOs.
“I am pleased more than 480 ESOs have benefited from more than $6.66 million in BEST
funding nationally in 2008.
“In addition to funding through BEST, this year around 3000 people have been trained through
my Department’s Training and Information Program (TIP). While BEST funds people and
equipment, TIP trains the people who support veterans.”
Mr Griffin said advocates, pension and welfare officers make a real difference to the quality of
claims received by his Department.
“My Department received more than 49,000 income support and compensation claims last
financial year. By funding, equipping and training advocates, pension and welfare officers, the
claims process can operate as efficiently as possible, delivering veterans their rightful
entitlements sooner,” Mr Griffin said.
Mr Griffin encouraged all ESOs and community organisations interested in applying for funding
to support projects for veterans to contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, phone 133 254
(metro callers) or 1800 555 254 (non-metro callers), or visit www.dva.gov.au.
Media inquiries: Laura Ryan 0437 863 109
Editors note: A list of grant recipients is attached.
To receive the Minister’s media releases automatically by email please go to minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
Building Excellence in Support and Training ACT Recipients
The ACT Branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Federation of Australia will receive $96,260 to
help employ two administrative assistants, cover travel expenses and ongoing consumable
costs.
The Legacy Club of Canberra will receive $23,550 to help employ a part-time pension and
welfare officer.
The ACT Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-servicemen and Women Association will
receive $3156 to help purchase computer software and cover ongoing consumable costs
such as stationary and office supplies.
The ACT Division of the Australian Flying Corps and Royal Australian Air Force Association
will receive $283 to help fund ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office
supplies.
The ACT Section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $1816 to help purchase
computer software and fund ongoing consumable costs.
The ACT RSL Branch on behalf of the Angeles City RSL Sub-branch in the Philippines will
receive $1500 to help cover ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office
supplies.
NEWS 
