Our community-run organisations play an invaluable role in helping veterans and their families thrive.
Four South Australian veterans’ support organisations will share $300,000 in Federal Government funding to boost their grassroots wellbeing programs.
Announced by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh, among the SA organisations receiving support through the Veteran Wellbeing Grants Program is Riding for the Disabled Association SA, now known as Equilus, which is based in Adelaide’s south at O’Halloran Hill.
The non-profit organisation – which provides people with a disability the chance to participate in and enjoy horse-related activities for recreation, sport or therapy – will join with the Defence Force Welfare Association SA to create a new equine-support program called Solid Ground.
The organisation has been provided $50,000 in funding to establish the pilot program, which aims to improve the wellbeing of veterans at the organisation’s O’Halloran Hill Centre.
More than $70,000 will be shared by RSL of Australia sub-branches at Henley and Grange and Macclesfield. The money will be used to upgrade and refurbish their respective community clubrooms, to create safer, more accessible spaces for veterans and their families and increase membership.
Awarded $180,000 in grant funding, Resolute Ready Ltd, which supports military families and children, will deliver phase two of the Digital Education Backpack initiative and Resolute Ready App.
Resolute Ready’s Virtual Hub connects veterans, serving Defence personnel, first responders, public safety officers, families, and communities with trusted support, making it easier to find the right services, resources and support organisations.
The Education Backpack is a free digital directory of high-quality resources designed to help parents, guardians, and educators better support children from military families
Veterans SA director Bianca Wheeler is pleased that of the 65 grant recipients nationally, South Australia is well represented.
“Our community-run organisations play an invaluable role in helping veterans and their families thrive, delivering innovative initiatives such as the Digital Education Backpack program, which is set to receive a significant funding boost,” she said.
“I encourage other community organisations to explore the grant opportunities available both locally and nationally, to help bring important programs to life and ensure more South Australian veterans and their families receive support to excel and thrive.”
The Veterans Wellbeing Program, offered through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, funds projects and activities that sustain or enhance health and social wellbeing, build community capacity, potentially expand on existing services and raise awareness of important issues faced by the veteran community and their families.
For more information and to find out when the next round of grants open, visit www.dva.gov.au/VWG
Photo credit: Riding for the Disabled Association SA, now known as Equilus.
