The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA048a
Wednesday 21 May 2008
$829,000 TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR VETERANS
Seventy seven community projects across Australia will receive an average of more than
$10,000 each to improve veteran health and independence, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan
Griffin, announced today.
Mr Griffin said the total grant allocation of $829,476 demonstrated the Rudd Government’s
commitment to supporting organisations dedicated to caring for veterans and their dependants.
“The Veteran & Community Grants program provides seed funding to local and community
organisations for projects that directly support 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 hundreds of local and community organisations had benefited from more than
$1.5 million in funding through grants programs since the Federal election last year.
Mr Griffin encouraged local and community organisations interested in applying for funding to
metropolitan callers) or 1800 555 254 (for non-metropolitan callers).
Media inquiries: Laura Ryan 0437 863 109
Editors note: A list of grant recipients is attached.
Veteran & Community Grant NSW and ACT Recipients
The Sydney Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans’ Motorcycle Club will receive a grant of $9061
to help upgrade the kitchen and recreational facilities at the club.
The Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia, South West Region Sub-branch, will receive
a grant of $8766 to help conduct dance lessons for the veterans including Rock and Roll,
Harlem Swing, Latin and Ballroom.
The Vietnam Veterans’ Peacekeepers & Peacemakers Association of Australia, South West
Slopes Sub-branch, will receive a grant of $6590 to help with bus hire costs to take veterans,
their partners and carers on social outings.
The Wagga Wagga Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Social and Welfare Club will
receive a grant of $4639 to help with bus hire costs to take veterans, their partners and
carers on social outings.
The Shortland RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $44,463 to help furnish the new RSL
premises and Veteran Community Hall.
The Community Technology Centres Association will receive a grant of $28,120 to help
conduct computer courses for the veteran community in various regional locations.
Eden Men’s Shed will receive a grant of $19,625 to help purchase tools and machinery for
the Men’s Shed in Eden.
Parkes Men’s Shed will receive a grant of $17,610 to help purchase tools and equipment for
their Men’s Shed in Parkes.
The Legacy Club of Wollongong and South Coast will receive a grant of $2973 to help
purchase an air conditioner and barbeque for the newly established multi-purpose room at
the club.
The City of Albury RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2901 to help upgrade the games
and kitchen resources for the Links Day Club.
The Wentworth Falls RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $937 to help purchase a
barbeque and gazebo for the sub-branch.
The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia, Shoalhaven Nowra Sub-branch, will
receive a grant of $7078 to help provide Cooking for One or Two and Barbequing for One or
Two programs to members.
The Integrated Service People’s Association of Australia will receive a grant of $1485 to help
install a pool cover at the association’s Veterans’ Centre.
The Sussex Inlet RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4251 to help conduct computer
courses for the veteran community.
The Kurri Kurri RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $5090 to help purchase computer
equipment to produce a newsletter for members and a public address system to be used at
social and commemorative activities.
The Sussex Inlet Men’s Shed will receive a grant of $2535 to help provide first aid training
and purchase safety equipment for members of the Men’s Shed.
The NSW Branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Peacekeeping & Peacemaking Veterans
Association will receive a grant of $3645 to help purchase a public address system to be
used for social functions and commemorative events.
St Ninians Uniting Church, Lyneham, ACT, will receive a grant of $6000 to help upgrade the
toilet facilities at the church and build disabled access.
Veteran & Community Grant WA Recipients
The Beverley RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $14,931 to help install an air
conditioning system and purchase furniture for the sub-branch.
The York RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $9253 to help purchase furniture for the
sub-branch.
The West Australian RSL Bowls Section will receive a grant of $17,312 to help the members
attend and compete in the 42nd National RSL Lawn Bowls Carnival in Perth in December
2008.
Pinjarra RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $14,289 to help purchase furniture for the
sub-branch.
Veteran & Community Grant Victoria Recipients
Cobaw Community Health Service will receive a grant of $6820 to help provide Cooking for
One or Two program for local veterans.
Moyne Health Services will receive a grant of $4428 to help establish an assisted shopping
program for vision impaired veterans of Port Fairy and surrounding districts.
The Inverloch RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $18,497 to help upgrade the toilet
facilities at the sub-branch.
Yea RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $12,569 to help upgrade the sub-branch,
including replacing the kitchen stove and installing air conditioning.
The Camperdown RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $26,318 to help upgrade the sub-
branch, including updating the kitchen floor coverings and installing a new hot water system.
The Inverleigh RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3176 to help repair the roofing of the
sub-branch premises, including the electrical wiring.
Coleraine RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $8970 to help upgrade kitchen facilities,
including bench tops and cupboards at the sub-branch.
The Warracknabeal RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $19,427 to help upgrade the new
sub-branch premises including updating the toilet facilities and electrical wiring.
The Victorian Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Federation will receive a grant of $7000 to
help purchase and install a ducted reverse cycle air-conditioning system at Bowder House.
The Pakenham RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $5852 to help replace floor coverings
and install security lighting at the sub-branch.
The Bendigo District RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $18,124 to help establish a
Recreation, Skills and Leisure Centre for the local veteran community.
The Warrnambool RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $6345 to help purchase
equipment including a laptop computer and printer to produce a monthly newsletter.
The Geelong Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Welfare and Social Club will receive a
grant of $5164 to help with bus hire costs to take veterans on social outings.
The East Gippsland Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Social Club will receive a grant
of $4016 to help with bus hire costs to take veterans on social outings.
The War Widows and Widowed Mothers Association, Eaglehawk and District Branch, will
receive a grant of $3206 to help with bus hire costs to provide social outings for association
members.
The Seabreeze Day Club will receive a grant of $4320 to help with bus hire costs to provide
social outings for club members.
The Whitehorse Day Club will receive a grant of $5500 to help with bus hire costs to provide
social outings for club members.
The Bluebird Day Club will receive a grant of $3570 to help with bus hire costs to provide
social outings for club members.
The Eastern Suburbs Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Social Club will receive a grant
of $7087 to help with bus hire costs to provide social outings for club members.
The Harvester Day Club will receive a grant of $2561 to help with bus hire costs to provide
social outings for club members.
The Langmore Day Club will receive a grant of $3622 to help with bus hire costs to provide
social outings for club members.
The Sunrise Day Club will receive a grant of $2160 to help with bus hire costs to provide
social outings for club members.
Foster Bowls Club will receive a grant of $11,000 to help replace the surface of one of the
club’s bowling greens with a synthetic surface.
The Yackandandah Bowling Club will receive a grant of $3850 to help raise the level of a
concrete landing at the club.
The Sandringham Bowls Club will receive a grant of $8570 to help upgrade the clubhouse
facilities, including erecting a sun shelter for the protection of the players.
Lilydale Seniors Computer Club will receive a grant of $4099 to help purchase computer
equipment for a computer access project for local veterans.
The Healesville RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1813 to help purchase a computer
to produce a newsletter for sub-branch members.
Veteran & Community Grant Tasmania Recipients
The National Servicemen of Australia, Northern Midlands Sub-branch, will receive a grant of
$3000 to help with bus hire costs to provide social outings for sub-branch members.
The Bridport RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help purchase 15 hip chairs for
the sub-branch.
The Maydena Waratah Day Club will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs to
provide social outings for club members.
The Oatlands RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $41,200 to help replace the grass
bowling green at the sub-branch with a synthetic bowling green.
The Glenorchy RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $40,000 to help update the heating
system at the sub-branch.
The Tasmania Section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $1660 to
help purchase portable speakers and tripod to use at association activities for members with
hearing problems.
The Hobart Navy Club will receive a grant of $5000 to help purchase safe seating and
stackable tables for the club.
The Tasmanian Branch of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Association will
receive a grant of $1868 to help purchase a computer and printer to produce a newsletter for
the branch members.
Veteran & Community Grant South Australia Recipients
The Henley and Grange RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $10,068 to help purchase
chairs, tables and an air conditioner for the sub-branch.
The Aged Care and Housing Group will receive a grant of $44,000 to help extend the South
West Active People (SWAP) Links program to 100 local veterans living on their own. The
SWAP program helps older veterans attend social activities and connect with their local
community.
The Enfield RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $37,895 to help purchase tables, chairs
and carpet for the sub-branch; install and air conditioning system; and build disabled access
to the sub-branch premises.
The Port Pirie RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $33,880 to help update the toilet
facilities and build disabled access to the premises.
The Bute RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $13,751 to help upgrade the kitchen at the
sub-branch and purchase new kitchen appliances.
The Port Victoria RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $11,798 to help purchase tables
and chairs for the sub-branch.
The Mount Gambier and District Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will
receive a grant of $10,602 to help replace the carpets and to repair the roof of the clubroom.
The Coonawarra Penola RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $13,670 to help purchase
an air conditioner, window blinds and upgrade electrical supply to the sub-branch.
Veteran & Community Grant Queensland Recipients
The Kawana Waters RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3301 to help purchase
computer equipment to conduct Healthy Lifestyle Information Sessions.
The Caloundra Group of the Partners of Veterans Association will receive a grant of $7155
to help fund and support the group’s range of craft and photographic activities.
The Nambour RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4395 to help purchase equipment to
provide gardening services for the aged members of the sub-branch.
The 9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Association (Queensland) will receive a grant
of $2788 to help purchase equipment to produce the association’s newsletter.
The Kilcoy RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2582 to help fund a program of bus trips
for sub-branch members.
The Toowoomba Sub-branch of the Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently
Incapacitated Servicemen and Women will receive a grant of $2340 to help purchase
computer and photographic equipment to produce the association’s newsletter.
The Brisbane Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $1298
to help purchase computer equipment to produce the sub-section’s newsletter.
The Totally and Permanently Disabled Soldiers’ Association, Brisbane North, will receive a
grant of $4000 to help conduct a program of five bus trips for association members. The
social outings will be to various locations in South-East Queensland.
The Nambour RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2761 to help conduct a program of
five bus trips for association members. The social outings will be to various locations in
South-East Queensland.
The Palm Beach Happy Group will receive a grant of $2800 to help conduct a series of four
bus trips for members of the group.
17 Construction Squadron Royal Australian Engineers will receive a grant of $2046 to help
purchase computer and photographic equipment to produce the squadron’s newsletter.
The RSL (Queensland) War Veteran’s Homes will receive a grant of $80,000 to help the
National Ex-service Round Table on Aged Care (NERTAC) hold meetings until the end of
2008. NERTAC provides policy advice and assistance in relation to ex-service aged care
issues to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
NEWS 
