2016-17 Victorian Veterans Council ANNUAL REPORT

VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 1 14/9/17 2:40 pm CONTENTS

PAGE CONTENTS

3 Chairman’s Foreword

4 About the Victorian Veterans Council

5 Objectives and Functions of the Victorian Veterans Council

6 Members of the Victorian Veterans Council

10 Highlights of the Year

11 Corporate Governance

12 Victorian Veterans Fund

14 ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund

15 Patriotic Funds

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 2 14/9/17 2:40 pm CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD

Victoria is proud to be Grants Programs: The VVC is committed to supporting home to a significant educational and commemorative events which provide proportion of veterans Victorians with an opportunity to honour and reflect on the service of our veterans from all conflicts. Each year, living in the Australian the generous donations from sporting events held in Victoria community. These on ANZAC Day are combined into the ANZAC Day Proceeds men and women have Fund. This year, grants from the fund have been awarded for a bravely served our range of welfare activities that are detailed later in this report. nation in conflicts from In addition, the VVC allocated funds through the Veterans the Second World War to Fund towards commemorative ceremonies, parades, more recent conflicts in plaques and gardens and educational initiatives including the Middle East and Asia. scholarships, films, booklets and online resources designed to inform younger Victorians about Australia’s important The Victorian Government war-related history. A full list of grant recipients is outlined on is committed to ensuring pages 12 -14. that these ex-service Legislation and Strategy: To ensure the VVC meets the men and women are changing demographics of Victoria’s veterans, we updated honoured and remembered our Business Plan in February 2017 with a view to continue in recognition of their service to our nation. In order to improving our advisory, support and commemorative maintain this commitment, the Victorian Veterans Council functions as recommended in the Veterans Sector Study (VVC) assists in the support of Victorian veterans and their Report (2015). families and reports to the Minister for Veterans on issues affecting our veteran community across Victoria. In the past year, the VVC has also considered potential legislative improvements and will prepare advice for the People are our priority. In 2016-2017 we continued to Minister to contribute to the Review of Veterans Legislation strengthen our efforts to identify and more effectively which is being conducted by of the Department of Premier advocate on issues affecting veterans across Victoria. I’m and Cabinet. The VVC has also reviewed its investment pleased to share some of the VVC initiatives implemented strategy and worked to streamline administration in the past year. associated with investment accounts including our Communication and Engagement: The profile of Patriotic Funds. Victoria’s veterans is changing. Our veteran population Supporting Victoria’s veterans requires a multi-faceted is decreasing and younger veterans are now becoming approach. So, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to my more prevalent as they exit the military having served colleagues in the VVC and the many individuals and in recent conflicts. So, while the VVC continues to use organisations who work with the VVC and alongside our traditional communication methods to retain vital veterans. I applaud your outstanding commitment towards connections with our aging veterans, we have expanded our mutual goal of respecting, honouring and supporting to digital engagement platforms to reach and support our Victoria’s veterans. younger veterans. Our first step was the launch of the VVC Facebook page in May, and we look forward to building our I respectfully acknowledge the committed stewardship and digital footprint to provide more accessible information to guidance of Rear Admiral John Lord AM (Retd) who gave the veteran community in the future. dedicated service as Chair of the Council for the past three years. The VVC also farewelled Peter Tanner and I thank Cooperation: Each generation of veterans has different him for his valued service on the Funding Subcommittee needs. Ex-service Organisations (ESO) and veterans and as the VVC representative on the Premier’s Spirit of service organisations provide critical services to meet the Anzac Prize selection panel. During the past year the VVC varying needs of our veteran community. It is an honour to also welcomed back Brigadier Mike Annett CSC as the VVC connect with these dedicated organisations (many of which RSL representative and Kim McAliney as a VVC Council are staffed by volunteers) who work tirelessly in support member. of veterans. To increase coordination and collaboration between these organisations in Victoria, the VVC hosted I am pleased to present the 2016-17 VVC Annual Report, its first roundtable in June attended by 35 representatives and I look forward to advancing our efforts to serve from 13 organisations to begin mapping services and Victoria’s veterans in the year ahead. building relationships to further strengthen support for veterans. A second roundtable is scheduled for September 2017.

Stuart Dodds Colonel Chair

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 3 14/9/17 2:40 pm ABOUT THE VICTORIAN VETERANS COUNCIL

The Victorian Veterans Council is an independent statutory body established in August 2006 under the Veterans Act 2005 (the Act). The Victorian Veterans Council plays an important role in supporting Victorian veterans and their families and is responsible for reporting to the Minister for Veterans on issues affecting the Victorian veteran community. Under the Act, the Council has specific responsibility for the distribution of the ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund and Victorian Veterans Fund. The Council also assists the government by providing: »» general advice to the Minister for Veterans on issues affecting Victoria’s veterans such as the current and future needs of veterans and their families »» advice to the Director of Consumer Affairs on matters relating to the regulation of patriotic funds »» advice on a range of government programs and initiatives such as the Victorian Anzac Centenary Committee, the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize, Veterans Accommodation Project and the Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour Grants Program. The Victorian Veterans Council is supported by the Veterans Branch within the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC).

Victorian Veterans Council July 2017

From left: Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Crowley, Lieutenant Colonel Laureen Grimes, Wing Commander Sharyn Bolitho, Ms Elizabeth Brown, Colonel Stuart Dodds (Chair), Ms Kim McAliney, Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Lombardo (Retired). Absent Dr Ross Bastiaan AM RFD. Brigadier Mike Annett CSC

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 4 14/9/17 2:40 pm OBJECTIVES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE VICTORIAN VETERANS COUNCIL

The objectives and functions of the Victorian The functions of the Victorian Veterans Council are to: Veterans Council are detailed in Sections 5 and 6 of »» ensure that the objectives of the Victorian Veterans the Veterans Act 2005 (the Act). Council are met to the maximum extent that is practicable The objectives of the Victorian Veterans Council are to: »» monitor and advise the Minister for Veterans’ on issues »» promote the wellbeing of all members of the Victorian affecting Victoria’s ex-service community ex-service community »» investigate and report on any aspect of veterans affairs »» promote the commemoration of those who have died in referred to it by the Minister the performance of service or duty »» consult with the ex-service community when developing »» develop a better understanding amongst Victorians of advice for the Minister the service and sacrifice of Victoria’s veterans in war and peacekeeping operations and the contributions of »» support the welfare activities of ex-service organisations Victoria’s ex-service community through the ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund (in accordance with the ANZAC Day Act 1958) »» actively promote the significance of, and key values associated with, the spirit of Anzac »» fund activities furthering its objectives through the Victorian Veterans Fund (in accordance with Section 20 »» promote cooperation and collaboration across of the Veterans Act 2005) organisations dealing with veterans welfare and other ex-service community issues, including the Trustees of »» advise the Director of Consumer Affairs on matters in the Shrine of Remembrance. relation to the regulation of patriotic funds under Part 4 of the Act.

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 5 14/9/17 2:40 pm MEMBERS OF THE VICTORIAN VETERANS COUNCIL

Colonel Stuart Dodds, Chair (Appointed member 11 October 2016 – Appointed Chair 14 February 2017)

Stuart graduated from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea, in 1984. As a career Infantry Officer, he attained the rank of Colonel and retired in early 2012 after twenty eight years of service. Stuart saw active service in Somalia, Afghanistan and Bougainville as well as serving as the Australian Defence Attaché in Vietnam. He continues to serve as a Reserve Officer and is currently in his final year of studying law at RMIT.

Rear Admiral John Lord, AM (Retd), Chair (until 31 December 2016)

As well as Chairman of the Victorian Veterans Council, Rear Admiral Lord is the Chairman of the of Huawei Technologies (Australia), a member of the Victorian Government’s Anzac Centenary Committee and a member of the Ministerial Community Advisory Committee on Corrections. In a voluntary capacity he is a Director of the Defence Bank Foundation and Patron of the Darwin Defenders 1942-45 Melbourne Branch. John was an Executive Director of P&O Maritime Services responsible for operations and government business worldwide. He served with the Royal Australian Navy for over 36 years with two major warship commands, saw active service in Vietnam, and retired with the rank of Rear Admiral.

Lieutenant Colonel Laureen Grimes (Appointed 11 October 2016)

Laureen has been an Army Reservist since 1981 and has attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She has commanded Victoria’s Combat Support Services Battalion that was closely involved with the 2009 Victorian Bushfire support and has also been an Honorary Aide de Camp to the Governor of Victoria. She is currently serving in a support role to the largest logistics services transformation undertaken by Defence while based at Joint Logistics Command.

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 6 14/9/17 2:40 pm MEMBERS OF THE VICTORIAN VETERANS COUNCIL

Mr Peter Tanner (until February 2017)

Peter joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1967 and served aboard HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Sydney (where he saw service in Vietnam) and HMAS Stuart. Following discharge from the RAN, Peter worked in senior management positions and in 2012 founded his own Executive Search consultancy. Peter has a strong commitment to the not-for-profit sector and is currently a Trustee of the Melbourne Naval Centre.

Dr Ross Bastiaan, AM RFD (Appointed 2 February 2016)

Ross enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1975 and was attached to 3 Army Field Ambulance. In the RAADC (Res) he was promoted to Colonel Consultant and is currently attached to Defence Health Services Branch, Canberra. Ross served on the Council of the Australian War Memorial from 1995 to 2009. Since 1990 he has personally placed over 240 multi-lingual, large bronze commemorative plaques at various locations around the world from Europe to the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. He has also written three books on WWI and WWII. Since 1978 Ross has worked in private practice as a periodontist.

Brigadier Michael Annett, CSC (Appointed 30 August 2016)

Following graduation from the Royal Military College, Michael was appointed to the 1st Armoured Regiment. In 1988–89 he served with UNIIMOG in Iran and Iraq. Following discharge from the Regular Army in 2006, Michael was appointed CEO of the Victorian Branch of the RSL. In January 2007, he resumed his soldiering as a Reservist. In January 2013 Michael was promoted to the rank of Brigadier and assumed the command of the 4th Brigade. In July 2015 he was deployed as the Commander of Task Group Afghanistan. Since returning he has been appointed State Secretary of the Victorian Branch of the RSL. Mike was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service in the 2017 Queens Birthday Honours List.

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 7 14/9/17 2:40 pm MEMBERS OF THE VICTORIAN VETERANS COUNCIL

Wing Commander Sharyn Bolitho, RAAFAR (Appointed 4 November 2015)

Sharyn Bolitho joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1987 and during her time in the RAAF she held postings on the staff of the Chief of Defence Force (working for Admiral Chris Barrie at the time of the terrorist attack on 11 September 2001) and was later responsible for joint operational personnel issues relating to deployment in 2002, receiving a Commendation from Commander Australian Theatre. Sharyn was appointed Commanding Officer of Combat Support Unit East Sale in December 2008, transitioning to Commanding Officer No 30 (City of Sale) Squadron when it was reformed 1 July 2010. She left the Permanent Air Force in May 2012 to remain in Sale and accepted an appointment as Manager Economic Development at Wellington Shire Council. Sharyn transitioned back to RAAFAR as the East Sale Indigenous Liaison Officer in 2017. Sharyn Bolitho has a Masters of Business Administration (Human Resource Management), a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Defence and Strategic Studies) from her time at the RNZAF Staff College and a Bachelor of Economics.

Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Lombardo (Ret’d) (Appointed 7 June 2016)

Adrian served in the Australian Army as an Infantry officer in various postings for 23 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. This included service in South Vietnam with 8RAR and overseas postings in Malaysia and the US. A 25 year career in financial services with major organisations followed, in both investment management and stockbroking appointments. As part of his community service, Adrian has been involved with the Shrine of Remembrance both as Trustee and Life Governor since 1987. He has been a member of Legacy since 2011 and serves on its Investment Committee, and he also serves on Investment Committees with two other not-for-profit organisations.

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 8 14/9/17 2:40 pm MEMBERS OF THE VICTORIAN VETERANS COUNCIL

Ms Elizabeth Brown (Appointed 30 September 2014)

Elizabeth is a widow of a Vietnam veteran, a carer to her father-in-law (a World War II veteran) and has been a Pensions/Welfare Officer for the past four years. She is a qualified Associate Accountant and has worked in finance roles across State Government. She is currently studying law at Victoria University. Elizabeth was nominated for appointment to the Council by ex-service organisation, the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Victorian Branch (Noble Park Branch).

Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Crowley (Appointed 21 October 2014)

Nathan served for 20 years in the Australian Defence Force, including active service in East Timor and Afghanistan. He is currently an Army Reservist. Nathan has extensive experience in strategic planning, through to the implementation of major projects and now manages his own consultancy in the defence and immigration sectors. He was nominated for appointment to the Council by ex-service organisation, Mates4Mates.

Ms Kim McAliney (Appointed 30 August 2016)

Kim is currently Deputy Mayor for the City of Wyndham for2016/17 having first been elected in 2005 and previously elected Mayor for 2007/8 and 2011/12. Kim is FCPA qualified, has an Advanced Diploma in Public Safety (E.Mgt) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and has worked at accountancy firms, in the aged care and retirement sector, a multi-national company and a National Crisis Counselling service and held numerous board directorships. She has been a Director of City West Water since 2015 and the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trusts (GMCT) since 2013.

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 9 14/9/17 2:40 pm HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Seaspray Reserve ANZAC Day Service

Council member, Wing Commander Sharyn Bolitho, had the honour of unveiling two inspirational wooden sculptures at the Seaspray Memorial Park, 2017 ANZAC Day service. The wooden sculptures of a WWI Digger and Nurse were carved using recycled Cyprus pine from trees that were removed from the Park due to age and poor condition. The sculptures were produced by renowned local chainsaw wood sculptor, John Brady. It was a moving service, attended by local Seaspray residents as well as those visitors who frequent the beautiful seaside town on 90 Mile Beach. The project received a $12,000 grant from the ANZAC Centenary Community Grant Program through the Victorian Veterans Council.

Wooden sculptures of ANZAC Digger and Nurse at Seaspray Reserve.

Roundtable consultation, service coordination and collaboration

On 14 June, the Victorian Veterans Council conducted a roundtable consultation on the issue of service coordination and collaboration. A total of 35 representatives from Victorian ex service organisations (ESOs) participated in the consultation, along with representatives from Defence and Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and members of the Victorian Veterans Council. The event included an address by the Minister for Veterans the Hon John Eren MP, who stressed the importance of collaboration and shared effort in addressing veteran needs. The meeting brainstormed a number of possible strategies to improve coordination and collaboration including colocation of services, detailed service mapping and needs analysis, improving access to information and improving lines of communication between ESOs, Defence and DVA. ESOs are now in a position to consider the outcomes of the Roundtable and where appropriate initiate the beginnings Minister for Veterans, the Hon of collaboration outcomes. John Eren MP, addresses the Victorian Veterans Council The VVC will host a second forum later in the year to firm Roundtable Consultation. up specific actions and strategies for the future.

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 10 14/9/17 2:40 pm CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Audited Financial Records Governance Sub-Committee

The Victorian Veterans Council is included in the The Governance Sub-Committee is responsible for ensuring Department of Premier and Cabinet’s financial statements the Victorian Veterans Council complies with all financial pursuant to a determination made by the Minister for and legal requirements under the Veterans Act 2005 and Finance under section 53(1)(b) of the Financial Management any other relevant legislation. The Governance Committee Act 1994. The Department’s Financial Statements can is also responsible for governance of the six patriotic funds be found at http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/index.php/news- for which the Council is Trustee and the development of the publications/corporate-publications Victorian Veterans Council annual report. These agencies are reported in aggregate and are not Lieutenant Colonel Laureen Grimes is the Chair of controlled by the department: the Governance Committee. Other members of the »» Freedom of Information Commissioner is established Governance Sub-Committee are: Lieutenant Colonel under the Freedom of Information Amendment Nathan Crowley, Brigadier Michael Annett and Lieutenant (Freedom of Information Commissioner) Act 2012 Colonel Adrian Lombardo (Ret’d). »» Victorian Multicultural Commission is established under The Governance Committee met three times during the Multicultural Victoria Act 2011 the year, to consider a range of issues relating to the administration of the Patriotic Funds and to oversee the »» Victorian Veterans Council is an independent statutory preparation of the Council’s financial statements for the body established under the Veterans Act 2005. annual report in 2016-17.

Council Meetings Secretariat Support

The Veterans Act 2005 stipulates that the Council meet at Secretariat support to the Victorian Veterans Council least eight times per year. The Council held eight meetings and both Sub-Committees was provided by the Veterans during the period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017. Branch within the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Committee Structure

The Council has established two committees to facilitate the performance of its functions under the Act.

Funding Sub-Committee

The Funding Sub-Committee is responsible for the development and annual review of the guidelines for the Victorian Veterans Fund Grant Programs and the ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund, coordinating the application process for both funds and making funding recommendations to the Veterans Council for grants from both funds. Dr Ross Bastiaan is the Chair of the Funding Sub- Committee. The other members of the Sub-Committee are Wing Commander Sharyn Bolitho (RAAFAR), Ms Elizabeth Brown and Ms Kim McAliney. The Committee met on five occasions throughout the year.

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 11 14/9/17 2:40 pm VICTORIAN VETERANS FUND

The Victorian Veterans Fund was established under the Veterans Act 2005. Revenue for the Veterans Fund comes from the Community Support Fund (CSF) and is equal to one day’s revenue of that CSF. Grants totalling $216,502.00 were approved for 28 projects from the Victorian Veterans Fund Commemoration and Education Grants Program and $200,099 for 29 projects from the Anzac Centenary Community Grants Program during the financial year ending 30 June 2017. Grant recipients are detailed in the table below:

Victorian Veterans Fund 2016-17 Grant recipients Commemoration and Education Grants Program. Organisation Project Allocation 39th Australian Infantry Battalion 75th Anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign Commemoration $5,000 (1941-43) Association Inc. Ararat Legacy Inc. Remembering Veterans of all Wars $5,318 Ararat Legacy Inc. Project Remembrance 2017 $2,187 Battle of Australian Foundation in Victoria Battle for Australia Ceremony $10,000 Bomber Command Commemorative Service for Victorians Serving in Bomber Command $1,000 Assoc. Vic Inc. Borough of Queenscliffe Borough of Queenscliffe Anzac Day Commemorations $4,500 Carry On (Victoria) Education Assistance Grants 2017 $35,000 Cohuna/Leitchville RSL Sub-Branch Inc. Install WWII Memorial Plaque $20,000 Darwin Defenders 1942-1945 Commemoration of Anniversary of Bombing of Darwin $4,500 Donald 2000 Inc. Remove, Relocate, Refurbish, Renew and Remember $6,623 Geelong Legacy Club Schools' ANZAC Ceremony Shrine of Remembrance $1,500 Mallacoota & District Historical Society Inc. Documentary Film Production for Museum $16,600 Melbourne Legacy Melbourne Legacy 2017 Tertiary Scholarships $17,500 Melbourne Legacy Melbourne Legacy 2017 Education Grants $20,000 Melbourne Legacy 2017 Legacy ANZAC Students Commemoration Ceremony $18,000 Mt Macedon Memorial Cross Council for 2017 Mt Macedon ANZAC Dawn Service $8,000 Commemorative Services Inc. National Boer War Memorial Association Boer War Day Commemoration Parade and Service $3,000 (Vic) Reserve Forces Day Council (VIC) Inc. Reserve Forces Day Parade $3,000 Rotary Club of Monash Rotary Club of Monash Anzac Service for Schools $2,500 Sale RSL & Community Club Provision of Memorabilia Display Cabinets $864 Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust War Heritage Booklet $8,805 Terang RSL Recruiting Posters WW1 and WW11 $2,240 The Craigieburn War Memorial & Craigieburn ANZAC Day Service $727 Remembrance Committee Inc. Torquay RSL Sub-Branch Torquay RSL ANZAC Day Dawn Service $10,000 Tyabb Railway Station Primary School Tyabb Railway Station Primary School ANZAC Garden $1,000 Wangaratta High School Wangaratta High School Commemorative Project $2,738 Warburton RSL Sub Branch Schools Excursions $4,000 Woady Yaloak Primary School Ross Creek's WWI Digitised Memorial Book $1,900 Ross Creek Campus 28 Projects $216,502

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 12 14/9/17 2:40 pm VICTORIAN VETERANS FUND

The ANZAC Centenary Community Grants Program offers funding to eligible organisations for projects that commemorate the service and sacrifice of World War One (WW1) veterans and their communities. WW1 related projects could include new memorials, one off community events, local community education projects and the preservation of WW1 history. The 2016 -17 Grant recipients are detailed in the table below:

Anzac Centenary Community Grants Organisation Project Allocation Dandenong Ranges Music Council Inc. 1919 Penny Drive $10,000 Gisborne Secondary College My Community ANZAC Project $3,500 Gold Museum, Sovereign Hill Museums Association Memories of War Film & Blog $9,957 Golden Dragon Museum Great War Servicemen of Chinese Descent in the $17,592 Loddon Mallee Region Horsham Cemetery Trust WWI Horsham Cemetery Memorial $13,996 Kiewa RSL auspiced by RSL of Australia (Vic Branch) Inc. Celebration of Two Charlerois $3,388 Koonoomoo Improvement Group Inc. Koonoomoo WWI Memorial $2,125 Moolap Primary School Remembering Our Veterans $1,552 Oakleigh Carnegie RSL Sub Branch Honour, Respect, Commemorate and Educate $6,820 Romsey Lancefield & Districts Historical Society Inc. Framing Photo of Australian Soldiers $400 Rupanyup RSL auspiced by RSL of Australia (Vic Branch) Inc. Memorial Gates for Rupanyup Recreation Reserve $9,840 Sale RSL & Community Sub-Branch ANZAC Mural $11,710 Shrine of Remembrance Australia will be there' touring exhibition $20,000 Terang RSL auspiced by RSL of Australia Light Horse Mural and Interpretive Sign $5,000 (Vic Branch) Inc. Wonthaggi RSL Sub Branch auspiced by RSL of Australia Remembering Our Forgotten Diggers $5,000 (Vic Branch) Inc. Christian College Remembering the Fallen - ANZAC Mural $6,500 Coimadai Avenue of Honour Restoration Purchase and Installation of Name Plaques in the $5,455 Association Inc. Avenue of Honour Crib Point Primary School Crib Point Primary School Commemoration Walk $3,000 Kerang and District Family History Group Inc. WWI Memorial $1,000 Langwarrin Township Committee Langwarrin War Memorial $13,000 Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc. Commemorative Book Publication to Preserve $10,000 Local Anzac History Lilydale Primary School Lilydale Primary School WWI Honour Board $2,119 Nullawil Historical Society Inc. Stand Tall and Remember Them - Nullawil $6,300 Historical Society Quambatook Historical Centre Inc. Displaying Memorabilia $2,600 Seaspray Reserve Committee of Management Anzac Sculptures Seaspray Memorial Park $12,000 Sunbury Choral Association Inc. Anzac Centenary Musical Tribute - $6,000 Reaching the Regions Tatura RSL Sub Branch Inc. auspiced by RSL of Australia Plaque to Remember Them-WWI Project $3,000 Victorian Branch Inc. Torquay Museum Without Walls Inc. Remembering the Impact of WWI on Australian $2,000 Society Wycheproof and District Historical Society Inc. Preserving Wycheproof's History $6,245 29 Projects $200,099

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 13 14/9/17 2:40 pm ANZAC DAY PROCEEDS FUND

The ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund receives contributions from sporting events held on ANZAC Day across Victoria which are collected by Sport and Recreation Victoria within the Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with section 4A of the ANZAC Day Act 1958. Grants totalling $277,171.00 were approved from the ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund to 19 individual projects during the financial year ending 30 June 2017. Grant recipients are detailed in the table below.

ANZAC Proceeds Day Proceeds Fund 2016-17 Grant Recipients Approved Organisation Project Funding 2/14 Battalion Association Inc. Production & Distribution of the 2/14 Battalion 1,200 Association Newsletter 39th Australian Infantry Battalion[1941-43] The Good Guts Newsletter Project 1,392 Association Inc. Australian National Veterans Arts Museum Veterans Arts Welfare Project 10,000 Carry On (Victoria) Anzac Day Proceeds Fund - Welfare 59,955 Colac Legacy Club Inc. Colac Legacy Bus Project 2,000 Defence Force Welfare Association Produce Branch Supplement Camaraderie 1,700 Geelong Legacy Club Incorporated Geelong Legacy Widows Utility Allowance 15,000 Macedon Ranges Group of Bendigo Heating Support for Legacy Widows 2,040 Legacy Inc. Melbourne Legacy Melbourne Legacy 'The Answer' Newsletter for Widows 22,000 Melbourne Legacy Melbourne Legacy Widows Transport Initiative 5,180 Melbourne Legacy 2017 Summer Camp for Legacy Dependants with a 20,000 Disability Mornington Peninsula Legacy Club Inc. Publications Project 3,000 RAAF Association (Victorian Division) Veterans Welfare Program 10,000 RAAF Association (Victorian Division) Newsletters for Victorian Division 1,400 Returned and Service League of Australia Regional Welfare Centres Project 82,864 Victorian Branch South Gippsland Group Of Melbourne Winter Fuel Assistance 8,400 Legacy Group The Legacy Club of Ballarat Inc. 2017 Winter Heating Allowance 18,720 The Legacy Club of Bendigo Inc. Utility Assistance for Centrelink Widows of Bendigo Legacy 7,320 Vietnam Veterans Federation Vic Branch Welfare Project 5,000 Inc. 19 Projects $277,171

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 14 14/9/17 2:40 pm PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Patriotic Funds The Victorian Blinded

The Victorian Veterans Council, in partnership with Soldiers’ Welfare Patriotic Fund Consumer Affairs Victoria, the regulator of patriotic funds, Established in April 2013 from funds provided by the provides advice to ex-service organisations on how Blinded Soldiers’ Association and a letter bequest from patriotic funds can be raised and appropriately used, the Estate of the Late Lucy Adamson, this fund provides including transfer and winding up arrangements. welfare assistance to visually impaired veterans and their The Victorian Veterans Council is now the trustee for six dependents and offers assistance to former Australian patriotic funds which are administered in accordance with Defence Force members who have visual impairment due Part 4 of the Veterans Act 2005. to their service in defence of our nation.

The Australian Legion of The Extremely Disabled Ex-Servicemen and Women Scholarship Association (EDA) Patriotic Fund Fund – Albert Coates Memorial Trust This Fund provides an annual prize of $500 for the The Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen and Women Victorian Veteran Community Story Writing and Art Scholarship Fund, in association with the Albert Coates Competition (SWAC) facilitated by Austin Health’s Memorial Trust provides funding for scholarships awarded Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. In March 2016, a to students who are studying courses for the training of Memorandum of Understanding between the Veterans paramedics, nurses and doctors in emergency care at Council and Austin Health was signed to formalise funding Victorian universities. for the SWAC under the EDA Patriotic Fund. In 2016-17, the Victorian Veterans Council approved the disbursement of $33,500 to the Albert Coates Memorial Australian United Ex-Services Trust to allocate scholarships for Rural Emergency Nursing Association (AUESA) Patriotic Fund studies, including Nurse Practitioner, RIPERN and Critical Care courses. This fund was initiated in 2014 for the purpose of providing funding for post-graduate study in the field of veterans’ health. The Trust Deed between the Australian The Australian Legion of United Ex-Services Association and the Veterans Council Ex-Servicemen and Women Scholarship was formalised in December 2015. A Memorandum of Fund No 1 – Nurses Memorial Centre Understanding with Austin Health was signed in February 2016 to deliver the scholarships for training post-graduate The Fund, first established in August 2006, provides students in Cognitive Processing Therapy with an support for scholarship grants awarded on an annual basis associated year of supervision. to students that are undertaking postgraduate studies in care of the older person or Palliative Care at a recognised university. The Funds, administered by the Veterans Council, are provided to the Nurses Memorial Centre as the facilitator of the scholarships.

The War Widows and Widowed Mothers Association (WWWMA) Scholarship Fund

The Fund supports scholarships awarded by the Federation University Australia to students undertaking graduate or postgraduate study in the fields of nursing, Palliative Care, aged care or midwifery.

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VB_AnnRep16-17_170914_vB08.indd 15 14/9/17 2:40 pm 2016-17 ANNUAL REPORT Victorian Veterans Council

Authorised and published by the Victorian Government Victorian Veterans Council C/- Department of Premier and Cabinet, Veterans Branch, Level 8, 1 Macarthur Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3000

Accessibility

If you would like to receive this publication in an alternative format, please telephone the Veterans Branch, Department of Premier and Cabinet on (03) 9651 2268. This document is also available on the internet at www.dpc.vic.gov.au/veterans

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