LOCAL VETERANS TO BENEFIT FROM SHARE IN $1.2 MILLION FEDERAL FUNDING

The local veteran community will benefit from more than $1.2 million in Federal Government funding to better equip ex-service organisations to assist veterans in accessing their rightful entitlements, Nationals Senator Fiona Nash said today. Senator Nash said a number of organisations in the area have been allocated funding to support pension and welfare officers who provide valuable assistance to the veteran community. “Veterans, war widows and widowers, current and former Defence Force members and their dependents receive much needed help from pension and welfare officers when lodging claims with the Department of Veterans affairs,” Senator Nash said. “The funding distributed locally and to state-wide organisations will help ensure ex-service organisations have access to the equipment and tools needed to help prepare the best possible claim for veterans’ entitlements through the funding of things like computer equipment, office supplies and internet access.” Some organisations to receive funding: • The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Far North Coast Sub-branch will receive a grant of $21,210 to help purchase a computer, computer software, internet access and three filing cabinets; • The Kyogle RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $5628 to help purchase two computers, internet access, two filing cabinets and two multi-function printers; • The Brunswick Heads/Billinudgel RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $1364 to help fund consumable items and to purchase internet access; • Far North Coast Legacy will receive a grant of $23,343 to help employ a welfare officer and purchase internet access. The funding was made available as part of the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) program which provides financial support to fund staff, computer equipment and other resources ex-service organisations need to provide quality services to the veteran community. The Federal Coalition has increased funding in 2007 to $3.9 million, in recognition of the need to improve the services and facilities available to the veteran community, bringing the total provided by the Federal Coalition Government since 1999 to more than $21.5 million. Media contact: Julie Siegert 0429 818 600

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