The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA094
Thursday, 25 September 2008
$865,000 TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR VETERANS
Eighty-three community projects across Australia will receive on average, 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 $865,163 would benefit more than 37,000 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 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
$2.37 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 in each state is attached.
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 & Community Grant NSW Recipients
The NSW Branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association of
Australia will receive $43,254 to help establish the Auburn-Regent’s Park Men’s Shed.
Cowra Men’s Shed will receive $7952 to help purchase tools and equipment for the Men’s
Shed.
The Woolgoolga RSL Sub-branch will receive $6150 to help purchase safety equipment and
a dust extractor for the Woolgoolga Men’s Shed.
Zone 8 of the NSW RSL Bowls Section will receive $11,379 to help purchase computer
equipment and help fund transport for members attending representative bowling events.
The Garden Island Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $4442 to
help purchase computer and printing equipment to produce a monthly newsletter for
members.
The Wentworth and Coomealla Districts Sub-branch including the Ramon Deed Veterans’
Retreat of the Vietnam Veterans’ Peacekeepers’ and Peacemakers Association of Australia
NSW Branch, will receive $48,320 to help replace the roof at the clubrooms at the Ramon
Deed Veterans’ Retreat in Dareton, New South Wales.
Woodburn & Evans Head RSL Sub-branch will receive $9464 to help purchase a computer
and publishing equipment to produce a newsletter and train members in desktop publishing.
Hawkesbury Skills will receive $33,835 to help purchase tools and equipment to establish
the Hawkesbury Men’s Shed.
Forster Tuncurry RSL Sub-branch will receive $1800 to help conduct basic computer
courses for local members of the veteran community.
Wentworth District RSL Sub-branch will receive $1867 to help purchase a computer and
printer to produce a regular newsletter for members.
The Lions Club of Berrigan will receive $4994 to help provide basic computer training for
members and purchase a Mono Mouse magnifying tool for sight impaired members.
The St George Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Social and Welfare Club will receive
$10,570 to help provide social excursions for the local veteran community.
The NSW Branch of the War Widows’ Guild of Australia will receive $10,380 to help conduct
a Healthy Lifestyle expo during the War Widows’ Walk at the Kokoda Track Memorial
Walkway in Concord this October.
Yamba RSL Sub-branch will receive $3808 to help upgrade equipment for the Osprey RSL
Day Club.
The Sydney Legacy Appeals Fund will receive $5720 to help establish a craft and social
group for Legacy widows to socialise and learn new skills.
The NSW Branch of the Royal Australian Navy Corvettes Association will receive $2800 to
help purchase a computer and printing equipment to produce a quarterly newsletter for
members.
Toronto RSL Sub-branch will receive $6627 to help purchase a photocopier to produce a
quarterly newsletter for members.
The NSW Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association Manning Valley Sub-branch, will
receive $1218 to help purchase a public address system for use during social functions held
at the sub-branch.
The New South Wales Branch of the RSL will receive $6274 to help produce a procedure
manual and provide training for day club volunteers throughout NSW.
Veteran & Community Grant Queensland Recipients
The Queensland RSL Branch will receive $51,946 to help renovate the emergency
accommodation facility in Auchenflower.
The Sunshine Coast Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will
receive $18,112 to help fund a vehicle service for the Veteran’s Retreat at Alaric Station.
The Sunnybank RSL Sub-branch will receive $18,141 to help purchase furniture and
equipment to establish a drop-in centre at the RSL Hall.
The Queensland Section of the 9th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment Association will
receive $1999 to help construct a website for the association.
The Greenbank RSL Sub-branch will receive $9726 to help purchase computer equipment
to provide computer training to elderly members of the community.
The Sherwood Indooroopilly RSL Sub-branch will receive $9635 to help purchase a
photocopier to assist with the ongoing production of a newsletter for its members.
The Yarraman RSL Sub-branch will receive $2200 to help purchase two portable shade
shelters for members to encourage attendance at outdoor activities.
The Totally and Permanently Disabled Soldiers’ Association Brisbane North will receive
$2769 to help purchase equipment to continue to produce a newsletter for association
members.
The Gold Coast District and Tweed Heads Centre Sub-branch of the Australian Federation
of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-servicemen and Women will receive $2480 to
help purchase equipment to produce a newsletter for members.
Darra & District RSL will receive $2937 to help purchase equipment to produce a newsletter
for members.
Incapacitated Servicemen & Women’s Association Sunshine Coast Branch will receive
$3200 to help fund a series of bus trips to reduce social isolation for its members.
The Beenleigh and District RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help fund a series of bus
trips for the local veteran community.
Currumbin Palm Beach RSL Sub-branch will receive $3000 to help fund a series of bus trips
for the local veteran community.
The Cooloola Coast Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will
receive $3506 to help fund a series of bus trips for the local veteran community.
Sandgate RSL Sub-branch will receive $3600 to help fund a series of bus trips for the local
veteran community.
The Sunshine Coast Sub-branch of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association of
Australia will receive $3800 to help fund a series of bus trips for the local veteran
community.
Veteran & Community Grant South Australian Recipients
Elizabeth RSL will receive $23,182 to help upgrade its kitchen and to purchase new
appliances.
The South Australian Branch of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Association will
receive $2527 to help purchase a public address system and printer.
The Morgan RSL Sub-branch will receive $21,773 to help replace the ceiling and organise
repairs to the roof.
The Goolwa RSL Sub-branch will receive $20,000 to help purchase tables, chairs, floor
coverings and a projector television with sound system for use by members.
The Vietnam and War Veterans Rowing and Recreational Club will receive $15,847 to help
refurbish the clubs boat, purchase a rowing machine and help cover coaching and club fees.
The South Australian Mounted Rifles Association will receive $4540 to help purchase a
public address system.
Brighton RSL Sub-branch will receive $15,301 to help purchase tables and chairs and
construct a pergola for members.
Barmera RSL Sub-branch will receive $20,800 to help purchase and install an air
conditioning system, upgrade the electrical supply to the club rooms and purchase floor
coverings for the club.
Mannum RSL Sub-branch will receive $3677 to help purchase a computer, printer to
produce their newsletter and a portable public address system to support a range of social
activities for the members.
Veteran & Community Grant Tasmanian Recipients
Westbury RSL Sub-branch will receive $30,104 to help upgrade the kitchen facilities at the
club and purchase new appliances.
Sheffield RSL Sub-branch will receive $1500 to help purchase a piano for use by members
at the club.
Northern Suburbs Legacy Widows Club will receive $3000 to help fund bus hire costs for
social outings for the local veteran community.
The Tasmanian RSL Bowls Association will receive $12,000 to help with staging for the 42nd
National RSL Lawn Bowls Carnival in Hobart between 27th December 2009 and the 7th of
January 2010.
The St Helens Sub-branch of the War Widows Guild will receive $3000 to help fund bus hire
costs for social outings for the local veteran community.
The South Arm RSL Sub-branch will receive $11,000 to help replace the cool room
equipment at the club.
The Exeter RSL Sub-branch will receive $16,020 to help upgrade the kitchen facilities at the
club.
Veteran & Community Grant Victorian Recipients
The Victorian Division of the Australian Nutrition Foundation will receive $56,266 to help
provide the Cooking for One or Two program to veterans in Melbourne and Geelong.
Macarthur RSL Sub-branch will receive $2660 to help construct an access ramp to the
entrance of the sub-branch.
Apollo Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive $10,044 to help install an all-access toilet facility at
the club.
The Shire of Melton will receive $13,909 to help establish a local Men’s Shed.
Timeball Day Club will receive $8885 to help purchase equipment to establish a day club
program.
Graceburn Day Club will receive $7498 to help purchase equipment to establish a day club
program.
Gippsland Gate Way Day Club will receive $12,294 to help purchase equipment to establish
a day club program.
Junction Day Club will receive $9404 to help purchase equipment to establish a day club
program.
The Victorian Branch of the Partners of Veterans Association of Australia will receive $5500
to help purchase communication equipment to promote the association’s services and to
communicate with its members and the wider veteran community.
Mansfield RSL Sub-branch will receive $6000 to assist with the cost of re-roofing the clubs
premises.
Ballan RSL Sub-branch will receive $4226 to help purchase chairs and a public address
system for use of members.
Anglesea RSL Sub-branch will receive $1200 to help purchase a television and DVD player
for use by members.
Red Cliffs Bowling Club will receive $12,631 to help upgrade the lighting on the bowling
greens.
The Mildura Branch of Carry On Victoria will receive $9330 to help build a fence around the
Carry On housing complex in Mildura.
Preston Reservoir Legacy Widows Club will receive $6820 to help fund bus hire costs to
provide social outings for members of the local veteran community.
Clocktower Day Club will receive $3190 to help fund bus hire costs to provide social outings
for members of the local veteran community.
The Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Social Club Western Suburbs will receive $2820
to help fund bus hire costs to provide social outings for members of the local veteran
community.
Glenroy War Widows and Widowed Mothers Association will receive $1500 to help fund bus
hire costs to provide social outings for members of the local veteran community.
Bendigo Legacy will receive $7350 to help purchase a photocopier to produce a regular
newsletter for members.
Ballarat RSL Sub-branch and Social Club will receive $8700 to help purchase a photocopier
and computer to continue their quarterly newsletter for members.
Drysdale RSL Sub-branch will receive $1500 to help purchase a computer to produce a
regular newsletter for members.
The Association of Extremely Disabled Services Victoria will receive $7148 to help purchase
a photocopier to produce a regular newsletter for members.
The Ex-Prisoner of War and Relatives Association will receive $1860 to help purchase a
computer to produce a regular newsletter for members.
Veteran & Community Grant West Australian Recipients
The Western Australian Section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $16,590 to
help purchase marquees to encourage member’s participation in social activities held
throughout the summer months.
Bridgetown RSL Sub-branch will receive $4282 to help purchase a video system for use in
training programs and presentations to members.
The Rockingham City Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $18,701
to help install a cool room and purchase a photocopier to produce a regular newsletter for
members.
Esperance RSL Sub-branch will receive $10,000 to help purchase furniture and install an air
conditioning system at the club.
The Australian Nutrition Foundation WA Division will receive $33,276 to help run a Healthy
Cooking/Healthy Living program for local veterans.
The Western Australian Branch of the HMAS Perth National Association will receive $2807
to help purchase a computer and printer to produce a regular newsletter for members.
The City of Bunbury will receive $4386 to help produce a Seniors Go-To Guide, informing
the Bunbury veteran community and senior citizens about services and support available in
the region.
Dawesville RSL Sub-branch will receive $9000 to help purchase safer chairs for the club.
The Arctic Convoy Veterans Association will receive $210 to help purchase a printer to
produce a newsletter for members.
NEWS 
