$1m to improve community support for veterans

Ninety-one community groups will share in more than $1 million in grants announced by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin.

Groups will receive on average more than $10,000 each to improve veteran health and independence.

Mr Griffin said the total grant allocation of $1,034,281 would benefit more than 29,000 veterans, and demonstrated the Rudd Government’s commitment to supporting organisations dedicated to caring for veterans and their dependants.

“The Veteran & Community Grants program provides funding to local and community organisations for projects that are directly supporting local veteran communities,” Mr Griffin said.

“It is important that veterans have access to a range of programs that teach them skills to help them remain independent and active, particularly for the elderly living by themselves.

“The new funding supports a range of projects to encourage veterans to learn new life skills including Cooking for One or Two programs, healthy living and computer skills courses.

“Veteran & Community Grants also help fund local initiatives that improve access to community care services and encourage social interaction through Day Clubs, Men’s Sheds and social excursions.”

Mr Griffin said during 2008 hundreds of local and community organisations had benefited from more than $3.9 million in funding distributed through the grants program.

He encouraged local and community organisations interested in applying for 2009 funding to visit www.dva.gov.au/health/grants or contact their nearest Department of Veterans’ Affairs office on 13 32 54 (for metropolitan callers) or 1800 555 254 (for non-metropolitan callers).