The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA074h
Friday, 25 July 2008
EXTRA $411,000 SUPPORT FOR WA’S VETERANS
The Rudd Government has provided a further $411,271 for ex-service organisations across
Western 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.
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 WA Recipients
The Western Australian RSL will receive $166,122 to help employ full-time and part-time
advocates, a full-time administrative assistant, purchase internet and telephone access,
cover travel expenses and ongoing consumable costs.
The Legacy Fund of Perth will receive $166,564 to help employ a part-time advocate, full-
time pension officer and full-time administrative assistant.
Albany RSL Sub-branch will receive $1450 to help cover ongoing consumable costs such as
stationary and office supplies.
The Australian Navy in Vietnam Veterans’ Welfare Association of Western Australia will
receive $7802 to help cover travel expenses and ongoing consumable costs.
The Australian Special Air Service Association National Executive will receive $24,780 to
help employ a part-time pension officer and cover ongoing consumable costs.
Busselton RSL Sub-branch will receive $1840 to help cover travel expenses and ongoing
consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
Donnybrook RSL Sub-branch will receive $1850 to help cover travel expenses and ongoing
consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
Geraldton City RSL Sub-branch will receive $1300 to help cover travel expenses and
ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
The Western Australian Section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $1480 to
help cover ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
The Partners of Veterans Association of Western Australia will receive $1140 to help cover
ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
The Western Australian Branch of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Association will
receive $2425 to help cover a telephone connection, travel expenses and ongoing
consumable costs.
The Western Australian Branch of the Regular Defence Force Association will receive $7459
to help cover travel expenses and ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office
supplies.
The City of Rockingham RSL Sub-branch will receive $1300 to help cover ongoing
consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
The Western Australian Branch of the Vietnam Logistic Support Veterans Association will
receive $8640 to help cover travel expenses and ongoing consumable costs such as
stationary and office supplies.
Mandurah RSL Sub-branch will receive $13,850 to help employ a part-time administrative
assistant and cover ongoing consumable costs.
Pinjarra RSL Sub-branch will receive $1515 to help purchase internet access, cover travel
expenses and ongoing consumable costs.
Yanchep/Two Rocks RSL Sub-branch will receive $1155 to help cover travel expenses and
ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
The Totally and Partially Disabled Veterans of Western Australia will receive $1049 to help
cover ongoing consumable costs such as stationary and office supplies.
NEWS 
