Above: Minister for Veteran's Affairs, Warren Snowdon

Around 60 ex-service and community groups across Australia will benefit from around $442,000 worth of funding, thanks to the most recent round of federal government Veteran and Community Grants.

The funding – annnounced by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, late last week – will be provided to a range of representative organisations throughout NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria, who run projects that benefit young and older veterans alike.

Mr Snowdon said the 63 projects selected, will either improve access to community care services; help veterans, war widows, widowers and their families to remain active and social; and ultimately enrich their lives.

“It is important that veterans have access to a range of programs where they can learn skills to help them remain independent and active, particularly for the elderly living by themselves,” Mr Snowdon said.
 
“The funding will support a range of initiatives: from travel costs for bus trips to reduce isolation, to re-establishing and renovating ex-service headquarters to enhance the social and healthy lifestyle activities of members.”

For example, the Warilla RSL Sub-branch in NSW will receive over $6,500 to purchase and install an electric step to its bus for the benefit of elderly members and buy the computer equipment necessary to produce a quarterly newsletter.

Over in Western Australia, the Legacy Fund of Perth will use its $19,200 to conduct a series of bus trips on behalf of the 16 Legacy Laurel Clubs to reduce social isolation of war widows.

“It is important to note that some grants will go to assist Men’s Sheds, which have proven to be important spaces, delivering health and lifestyle benefits for many veterans young and old,” he said.

Since 2008, more than 1,000 organisations have benefited from more than $13 million in funding through Veteran & Community Grants.

Local and community organisations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to visit www.dva.gov.au/grants or contact their nearest DVA office on 133 254 (for metropolitan callers) or 1800 555 254 (for non-metropolitan callers).