The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA074b
Friday, 25 July 2008
EXTRA $1 MILLION SUPPORT FOR VICTORIA’S VETERANS
The Rudd Government has provided a further $1.03 million for ex-service organisations across
Victoria 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 Victoria Recipients
Gippsland Veterans’ Welfare Centre will receive $166,795 to help employ full-time and part-
time administrative assistants and cover ongoing consumable costs.
The Regional Veterans’ Centre Project will receive $10,503 to help employ a full-time
administrative coordinator and cover ongoing consumable costs.
Ballarat Veterans’ Support Group will receive $45,068 to help employ a full-time
administrative assistant and cover ongoing consumable costs.
The Bass Coast Veterans and Dependants Welfare Centre will receive $37,255 to help
employ two part-time administrative assistants, conduct home visits and cover ongoing
consumable costs.
Bayside Regional Centre will receive $1000 to help cover ongoing consumable costs such
as stationary and office supplies.
Casey Regional Veterans’ Welfare Centre will receive $1000 to help cover ongoing
consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
Central Victorian Veterans’ Support Centre will receive $63,702 to help employ a full-time
administrative assistant and cover ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office
supplies.
Echuca Veterans’ Support Centre will receive $1738 to help provide IT training and cover
ongoing consumable costs.
Geelong Veterans’ Support Centre will receive $56,252 to help employ a full-time
administrative assistant and cover ongoing consumable costs.
Goulburn Valley Veterans’ Services will receive $1000 to help cover ongoing consumable
costs such as stationary and office supplies.
Heidelberg Repatriation Veterans’ Centre will receive $45,066 to help employ a part-time
administrative assistant and cover ongoing consumable costs.
Hume Veterans’ Information Centre will receive $45,952 to help employ a part-time support
officer, purchase centre security and cover ongoing consumable costs.
Leongatha and Districts Veterans’ Welfare Centre will receive $18,629 to help employ a
part-time administrative assistant and cover ongoing consumable costs.
The Melbourne Veterans’ and Services Support Centre will receive $99,531 to help employ
a full-time advocate, part-time pension officer and cover ongoing consumable costs such as
stationary and office supplies.
Mitchell Veterans’ Centre will receive $1000 to help cover ongoing consumable costs such
as stationary and office supplies.
South East Regional Veterans’ Welfare Centre will receive $48,670 to help employ a full-
time administrative assistant and cover ongoing consumable costs.
Southern Peninsula Veterans’ Centre will receive $52,411 to help employ a full-time
administrative assistant and cover ongoing consumable costs.
South West Veterans’ Centre will receive $3100 to help provide staff training and cover
ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
Sunraysia regional Veterans’ Centre will receive $34,957 to help employ a part-time
administrative assistant and cover ongoing consumable costs.
Swan Hill Veterans’ Information Centre will receive $30,344 to help employ a part-time
administrative assistant and cover ongoing consumable costs.
The Surf Coast Regional Veterans’ Centre will receive $56,252 to help employ a full-time
administrative assistant and cover ongoing consumable costs.
Western Suburbs Veterans’ and Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive
$25,200 to help employ a part-time administrative assistant and cover ongoing consumable
costs.
West Gippsland Veterans’ Welfare Centre will receive $1000 to help cover ongoing
consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
The Australian Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Veterans’ Association will receive $102,009
to help employ a full-time advocate, part-time administrative assistant and cover ongoing
consumable costs.
RSL Victoria will receive $32,331 to help employ an aged care coordinator.
Vietnam Veterans’ Federation Victoria will receive $1000 to help cover ongoing consumable
costs such as stationary and office supplies.
Defence Force Welfare Association Victoria will receive $1000 to help cover ongoing
consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
Melbourne Legacy Welfare will receive $46,200 to help employ a full-time welfare officer.
NEWS 
