The WA Government is delivering certainty to local organisations supporting veterans and their families, with almost $1.3 million in grants to be allocated through the 2022 ANZAC Day Trust Grants Program.
Grants ranging from $300 to more than $380,000 will be shared by 12 organisations and used to fund a range of initiatives and support services.
The Royal Australian Air Force Association of Western Australia will receive a $157,450 grant to help fund the development of the Andrew Russell Veteran Living Program, which will deliver accommodation and supporting services for WA veterans suffering homelessness.
In the 2021-22 State Budget, the WA Government significantly increased the annual ANZAC Day Trust Grants Program to $1.3 million per year.
This increase has given certainty to ex-service organisations working on the front line, such as Legacy WA and the Returned and Services League in WA (RSLWA), allowing them to look beyond single-year funding cycles.
Four projects are receiving their second year of funding, including the Veterans Employment Program, a partnership between RSLWA and Working Spirit.
The program delivers employment services and has already exceeded the benchmarks set for 2022 in linking veterans and their families with employers.
Legacy WA will use its $380,262 grant to continue three programs designed to assist hundreds of veterans and their families, widows and children who have lost a parent.
Just over $283,000 will be shared across five organisations to assist with the construction of memorials or organisation of commemorative services. These projects will help to ensure Western Australians remember the sacrifices of previous generations.
As stated by Veterans Issues Minister Paul Papalia:
“We must never forget the sacrifice our service-men and women have made to maintain the freedom and prosperity we experience in Australia.
“It has been just over a year since we announced a significant increase to the annual ANZAC Day Trust Grants Program and we are seeing the benefits of the WA Government delivering certainty for ex-service organisations.
“We are committed to supporting the veterans and their families that call WA home, and assisting with their transition back to civilian life.”
| Organisation | Activity | $ Amount |
| Allied Merchant Seamen’s Association | Banner | $300 |
Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (Western Australia Branch) | Commemoration and lunch | $720 |
| Combined Defence Force Support Association of WA | Advocacy | $2,775 |
| Connected By Inc | Connected By Mountain Biking | $60,000 |
| HMAS Perth Memorial Foundation | HMAS Perth Memorial construction | $167,000 |
| Legacy WA | Operational support Second year funding | $380,262 |
| Our Veterans Forge | Veterans blacksmithing | $17,000 |
| Royal Australian Air Force Association of WA | Andrew Russell Veteran Living Program | $157,450 |
| Returned and Services League and Working Spirit | Veteran Employment Program Second year funding | $317,036 |
| Korean Prisoner’s PWMA | Korean War Memorial construction Second year funding | $40,000 |
| Battle of Crete Memorial Committee WA | Battle of Crete Memorial construction Second year funding | $75,000 |
| Veterans Transition Centre | Operational support | $80,000 |
