Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA126h
Tuesday 23 December 2008
$265,000 TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY SUPPORT
FOR VETERANS IN VICTORIA
Christmas celebrations may be a little louder for thirty community groups across Victoria who
will share in more than $265,000 in grants announced today by the Minister for Veterans’
Affairs, Alan Griffin. Groups will receive on average more than $8000 each to improve veteran
health and independence.
Mr Griffin said the total grant allocation of $265,307 would benefit more than 7400 local
veterans, and demonstrates the Rudd Government’s commitment to supporting organisations
dedicated to caring for veterans and their dependants.
“The Veteran & Community Grants program provides funding to local and community
organisations for projects that are directly supporting local veteran communities,” Mr Griffin said.
“It is important that veterans have access to a range of programs that teach them skills to help
them remain independent and active, particularly for the elderly living by themselves.
“Today’s funding supports a range of projects to encourage veterans to learn new life skills
including Cooking for One or Two programs, healthy living and computer skills courses.
“Veteran & Community Grants also help fund local initiatives that improve access to community
care services and encourage social interaction through Day Clubs, Men’s Sheds and social
excursions,” the Minister said.
Mr Griffin said during 2008 hundreds of local and community organisations had benefited from
more than $3.9 million in funding distributed through the grants program.
Mr Griffin encouraged local and community organisations interested in applying for 2009
Affairs office on 133 254 (for metropolitan callers) or 1800 555 254 (for non-metropolitan
callers).
Media inquiries: Laura Ryan 0437 863 109
Editor/producers note: A list of grant recipients is attached, and the Minister is available for
interviews.
The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a
week on 1800 011 046.
To receive the Minister’s media releases automatically by email subscribe at minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
Veteran and Community Grants Victorian recipients
Gippsland Lakes Community Health will receive $2492 to help conduct Cooking for One or
Two sessions in Lakes Entrance for 120 local veterans.
Heywood and District Memorial Hospital will receive $2446 to help conduct an Eating with
Friends program for 50 local veterans.
Darebin RSL Sub-branch will receive $34,270 to help purchase a community bus to conduct
a series of excursions for veterans to help reduce social isolation.
Southern Peninsula Veterans Centre will receive $6465 to help upgrade the courtyard at the
centre with new paving and a wheelchair ramp to improve safety.
The Mornington Peninsula Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Social Club will receive
$8982 to help conduct a series of bus trips for members to help reduce social isolation.
Merbein Bowling Club will receive $2934 to help purchase a computer and printer to produce
the club’s newsletter, and install a hot water unit at the club.
Tongala RSL Sub-branch will receive $24,811 to help repair the roof, re-paint areas of the
club and upgrade the toilet facilities.
Warrnambool RSL Sub-branch will receive $10,461 to help install a partition and purchase
tables for the club.
The Ti Tree Day Club will receive $2349 to help conduct a series of bus trips for members to
help reduce social isolation.
The Ararat Legacy Club will receive $6990 to help conduct a series of bus trips for members
to help reduce social isolation.
Anglesea RSL Sub-branch will receive $1596 to help purchase a computer and printer to
produce the club’s newsletter.
The Swan Hill Group of Bendigo Legacy will receive $7000 to help conduct a series of bus
trips for members to help reduce social isolation.
Pascoe Vale RSL Sub-branch will receive $2000 to help purchase a public address system
for use by members at events and days of commemoration.
Colac RSL Sub-branch will receive $2803 to purchase a computer and digital projector to
help conduct a series of information sessions for members.
Maffra RSL Sub-branch will receive $11,532 to help renovate the club’s kitchen and install a
dishwasher.
Portland Group Hamilton and District Legacy will receive $2047 to help purchase light weight
trestle tables for use by members.
Seaford RSL Sub-branch will receive $42,174 to help purchase tables and chairs for the
club’s bistro.
Hamilton and District Legacy will receive $11,058 to help purchase new equipment and
furnishings including window coverings, an air conditioner, refrigerator, urn, tables and
crockery for use by members at the club.
The Dromana Red Hill RSL Sub-branch will receive $7500 to help purchase chairs for the
club’s bistro.
Rainbow Day Club in Cheltenham will receive $2989 to help conduct a series of bus trips for
members to help reduce social isolation.
The 8/7th Battalion, 2nd Royal Victorian Regiment Association will receive $3340 to help
conduct a series of bus trips for members to help reduce social isolation.
Apollo Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive $1367 to help purchase a computer, printer and
computer software to produce the club’s newsletter.
Fish Creek Memorial Hall will receive $18,000 to help relocate and replace the toilet facilities
and install an air conditioner in the hall.
The Southern Districts Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Social Club will receive
$11,860 to help conduct a series of bus trips for members to help reduce social isolation,
and purchase computer equipment to produce the club’s newsletter.
The Mentone RSL Sub-branch will receive $17,234 to help upgrade the kitchen facilities and
purchase an electric steam oven and bain marie.
Glenroy RSL Sub-branch will receive $4062 to help purchase computer equipment and
software, a digital camera and undertake a computer training course to help produce the
club’s newsletter.
Phillip Island and Districts Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Social Club will receive
$3497 to help purchase a computer, printer and computer software to produce the club’s
newsletter.
Lilydale RSL Sub-branch will receive $5068 to help purchase a computer and printer to
produce the club’s newsletter, and purchase a television and DVD player to support
information sessions at the club.
Noble Park RSL Sub-branch will receive $3600 to help conduct computer training sessions
for 30 veterans.
The Frankston Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Social Club will receive $4380 to help
conduct a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for members.
NEWS 
