The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA074g
Friday, 25 July 2008
EXTRA $392,000 SUPPORT FOR SA’S VETERANS
The Rudd Government has provided a further $392,279 for ex-service organisations across
South Australia 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.
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Building Excellence in Support and Training South Australia Recipients
The South Australian Branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive
$47,300 to help cover travel expenses and ongoing consumable costs such as stationary
and office supplies.
Legacy Club of Adelaide will receive $180,240 to help employ a full-time and part-time
pension officer, three part-time welfare officers and cover travel expenses.
The South Australian RSL branch will receive $81,616 to help employ a full-time and part-
time pension officer, a part-time administrative assistant and cover travel expenses.
The Mount Gambier RSL Sub-branch and Memorial Club will receive $4000 to help cover
travel expenses and ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
The South Australian Branch of the Totally and Permanently Disabled Soldiers’ Association
of Australia will receive $5500 to help cover travel expenses.
The Plympton Glenelg RSL Pensions Office will receive $5000 to help cover travel expenses
and ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
The South Australian branch of the Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia will receive
$4600 to help cover travel expenses and ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and
office supplies.
The Mitcham Branch of the Royal Australian Air Force Association will receive $9000 to help
cover travel expenses and ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
Vietnam and War Veterans South Australia will receive $8110 to help cover travel expenses
and ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
Fleurieu Peninsula Veterans’ Community Association will receive $800 to help cover
ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
The Beachvale Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $3363 to help
cover travel expenses and ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
Riverland Veterans’ Centre will receive $2400 to help cover travel expenses and ongoing
consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
The South Australian Branch of the Korean and South East Asia Forces Association of
Australia will receive $4950 to help cover travel expenses and ongoing consumable costs
such as stationary and office supplies.
The South Australian Division of the Royal Australian Air Force Association will receive
$1000 to help cover travel expenses and ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and
office supplies.
Yorke Peninsula Veterans and Community Care will receive $2500 to help cover travel
expenses and ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
The Training and Information Program South Australian Office, also servicing the Northern
Territory, will receive $31,900 to help employ a part-time administrative assistant.
NEWS 
