The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, today announced grants totalling $938,872 will be distributed to local organisations in Australia as part of the Australian Government’s Veteran & Community Grants program. Mr Billson said the funding demonstrated the Government’s commitment to supporting organisations dedicated to the welfare of Australia’s veterans. “Veteran & Community Grants provide an important source of funding for projects that support a healthy, quality lifestyle for members of the veteran community,” Mr Billson said.

The program also funds projects that help veterans, war widows and widowers continue to live independently in their own homes, as well as initiatives that reduce social isolation, improve access to community care services and support carers. Projects and initiatives supported through the grants program have included day clubs, purchasing equipment for Men’s Sheds around Australia, health programs including Cooking for One or Two and a range of social activities for the veteran community.

“The Australian Government is providing much needed support for a range of projects designed to help veterans, war widows and widowers and their dependants across Australia,” Mr Billson said. “Veteran & Community Grants are available to ex-service and community organisations, veteran representative groups and private organisations that contribute to improvements in the quality of life of members of the veteran community. More than $3.1 million in funding is available to eligible organisations through these grants in 2007-08, providing much needed support for a range of projects designed to help veterans, war widows and widowers and their dependants across Australia. Our veterans deserve our support for their service and sacrifice in the defence of our nation, and for their continuing role in the development of our community,” he said

· Killarney & District Memorial Hospital will receive a grant of $66,095 to help purchase a bus to transport veterans and other elderly patients.

· The Queensland Branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive a grant of $52,188 to help establish a Men’s Shed.

· The Redlands RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $34,914 to help purchase a bus to transport veterans and other members.

· The Toowoomba RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $29,642 to help establish a social activity centre for the Sub-branch.

· The Totally and Permanently Disabled Soldiers Association (Fraser Coast) South Burnett Centre will receive a grant of $5550 to help with the cost of excursions for veterans.

· The Sunshine Coast branch of the Korean War Veterans’ Association will receive a grant of $6500 to help with the cost of excursions for veterans.

· The Maroochy Waters Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $4894 to help with the cost of excursions for veterans.

· The Southport RSL Sub-branch Women’s Auxiliary will receive a grant of $2275 to help with the cost of excursions for members.

· The Stanthorpe Laurel Club will receive a grant of $4575 to help with the cost of excursions.

· The Shire of Esperance will receive a grant of $32,629 to help purchase equipment to establish a new Men’s Shed.

· The WA RSL on behalf of the Bridgetown Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1000 to help purchase a weatherproof marquee for use in health related projects in the Bridgetown area.

· The Legacy Fund of Perth will receive a grant of $3000 to help purchase furniture for Legacy’s Busselton Holiday Camp.

· Veterans for Fitness will receive a grant of $1073 to help purchase T-shirts and hats for the Craigie Veterans for Fitness group.

· The Veterans & Partners Exercise Group will receive a grant of $1187 to help purchase T-shirts for the Bunbury Veterans & Partners Exercise Group.

· The Valley Day Club will receive a grant of $9978 to help purchase equipment to establish a Day Club program at Traralgon.

· The Young at Heart Mount Alexander Day Club will receive a grant of $8620 to help purchase equipment to establish a Day Club at Castlemaine.

· The Lang Lang RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $973 to help purchase a portable public address system.

· The Broadford RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $12,316 to help construct a veranda and replace floor coverings at the Sub-branch.

· The Rochester RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $6925 to help refurbish the kitchen facilities at the Sub-branch.

· The Castlemaine Sub-branch of the Returned Soldiers’ and Sailors’ and Airmen’s, Imperial League of Australia (RSSAILA) will receive a grant of $4554 to help upgrade the kitchen facilities at the Sub-branch.

· The Chelsea RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $18,260 to help purchase tables and chairs to furnish the Club’s members’ lounge.

· The Cohuna Leitchville RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3360 to help purchase and install a reverse cycle air conditioner and water heater at the Sub-branch.

· The Geelong and District Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive a grant of $2644 to help purchase fitness equipment.

· Cohuna Neighbourhood House will receive a grant of $10,000 to help establish a Men’s Shed.

· The Red Gum Day Club will receive a grant of $2688 to help with bus hire costs for veteran excursions over the next three years.

· The Legacy Club of Ballarat will receive a grant of $2285 to help with bus hire costs for veteran excursions over the next three years.

· The Victorian Branch of the RAAF Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia will receive a grant of $2408 to help purchase a laptop computer and associated equipment for the production of the Branch newsletter.

· East Gippsland TPI Social Club will receive a grant of $2287 to help purchase computer equipment to produce the club newsletter.

· The South West Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $2516 to help purchase a computer, printer and software to produce a monthly newsletter.

· Essendon Legacy Widows’ Club will receive a grant of $2000 to help purchase computer equipment to produce the club newsletter.

· Patches of Friendship will receive a grant of $4044 to help purchase sewing and craft equipment for a craft group.

· The ACT Division of the Australian Flying Corp and Royal Australian Air Force Association will receive a grant of $3612 to help purchase equipment to produce a monthly newsletter.

· The National Servicemen’s Association Mersey Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings for local veterans.

· The Burnie/Wynyard Sub-branch of the Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings for local veterans.

· The Launceston South Sub-branch of the Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings for local veterans.

· The Lilydale RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings for local veterans.

· The Tasmanian RSL Bowls Association will receive a grant of $2910 to help with bus hire costs for members to continue to participate in intra-state bowls tournaments.

· The Huon RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1850 to help purchase a laptop computer for the Sub-branch.

· The Somerset/Wynyard Legacy Widows Club will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings.

· The Launceston Sub-branch of the War Widows Guild of Australia will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings.

· The Burnie RSL Ladies Auxiliary will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings.

· The Taroona Ex-Services Club will receive a grant of $3000 to help with bus hire costs for social outings.

· The King Island RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $4766 to help purchase special seating for the club including six hip chairs.

· The RAAF Association Hobart Branch will receive a grant of $37,828 to help renovate toilet facilities for improved disability access.

· The Launceston Branch of the RAAF Association will receive a grant of $2548 to help purchase computer equipment.

· Eat Well Tasmania will receive a grant of $42,230 to help implement the Community Cooking Demonstrator Project in conjunction with the War Widows’ Guild, Hobart Legacy and Country Women’s Association Tasmania.

· The George Town Sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia will receive a grant of $2948 to help purchase computer equipment to produce a newsletter.

· Dorset Men’s Shed will receive a grant of $48,000 to help employ a project officer for the Men’s Shed.

· The Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia South West Slopes Sub-branch will receive a grant of $14,371 to help establish pottery and wood turning classes for local veterans.

· Inverell RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $6889 to help conduct a 50-week fitness and social activity program and purchase sports equipment.

· Nambucca Heads RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2200 to help purchase computer equipment to produce a monthly newsletter.

· The South West Branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association NSW will receive a grant of $4179 to help purchase a water tank for the veterans’ retreat at Murraguldrie.

· The Port Macquarie RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $6520 to help conduct two computer courses for veterans.

· The International Society 173rd Airborne Brigade Australia Down Under Chapter XI will receive a grant of $4842 to help purchase computer and printing equipment to produce a quarterly newsletter.

· The Combined Aircrew Association will receive a grant of $2717 to help purchase computer equipment to produce a quarterly newsletter.

· The Nepean Wives of Vietnam Veterans Women’s Support Group will receive a grant of $2226 to help purchase sports equipment to conduct exercise classes for veterans.

· Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) Bowral will receive a grant of $34,565 to help conduct a computer recycling and training program for 70 veterans.

· The Coolamon RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2118 to help install a disability access ramp at the RSL memorial hall.

· The Legacy Club of Wollongong and South Coast will receive a grant of $9000 to help install air conditioning at Legacy House in Nowra.

· The RSL of Australia NSW Goulburn Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1900 to purchase a public address system.

· The Lyndhurst RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $9000 to help install a stair lift at the community RSL hall and military museum.

· The Baradine RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $40,603 to help purchase furniture and equipment for the Sub-branch’s new venue.

· The NSW State Branch National Servicemen’s Oxley Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2000 to help purchase a public address system for use by the local veteran community.

· The NSW Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club Australia will receive a grant of $3475 to help purchase equipment to conduct motorcycle maintenance and health promotion course, and to establish a mechanics workshop.

· The Tumbarumba RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3317 to help install reverse cycle air conditioning in the RSL hall.

· The Coraki RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2040 to help purchase a public address system for use by the local veteran community.

· The Port Stephens Veterans and Citizens Aged Care will receive a grant of $126,100 to help purchase a bus for retirement village residents including some 260 veterans, at Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay and Salamander Bay.

· The Moree RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2349 to help purchase a public address system for use by the local veteran community.

· The Macleay Valley Sub-branch of the National Service Association will receive a grant of $2765 to help purchase a public address system for use by the local veteran community.

· The Fleurieu Peninsula Veterans Community Association will receive a grant of $9579 to help purchase woodworking machinery for the association’s Men’s Shed and community workshop.

· Brighton RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $53,518 to help refurbish the Sub-branch’s kitchen in the new clubrooms.

· The Barmera RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $21,604 to help upgrade the Sub-branch’s kitchen facilities.

· Ceduna RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1750 to help purchase a portable wireless amplifier system.

· Blackwood and District RSL Club will receive a grant of $9000 to help purchase screens and ergonomic chairs for the Club.

· The Strathalbyn RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $25,903 to help purchase audio visual equipment, tables and chairs to support the Sub-branch’s activities.

· The Ex Military Rehabilitation Centre will receive a grant of $22,270 to help establish a kitchen and purchase kitchen appliances for the centre.