Welcome boost for RSL services

Published 12:59pm 15 November 2021

Local veterans and their families will benefit from a funding boost from the Federal Government’s Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program.

Defence Minister and Dickson MP Peter Dutton says the funding - $22,273 for the Pine Rivers District RSL and $32,826 for the Samford RSL will allow the sub-branches to continue provide valuable support.

“We have a large population of veterans in our community with very active RSL sub-branches supporting hundreds of families,” Mr Dutton says.

“Veterans throughout Samford Valley and the Pine Rivers area use the RSLs to receive assistance with transition support, claims and entitlements and a range of other wellbeing programs.

Timely funding

Pine Rivers District RSL sub-branch president Margaret Lord says they are grateful for the financial support received through the BEST Grant.

“Fundraising by our volunteers has been severely restricted in the past 18 months, so these funds are not only welcome but also timely,” Mrs Lord says.

“Our 10 volunteer advocates are becoming busier every day with initial claims to DVA on behalf of veterans of all ages.

“The funding assistance from BEST grants goes a long way toward providing telephone services, computer software, printer paper and toner, general stationery items, postage costs and other administrative costs involved in running the advocacy support we provide.”