The McGowan Government has significantly increased the annual Anzac Day Trust Fund by $1 million a year and introduced a new $430,000 program to develop a local assistance dogs program for veterans and first responders.
Funded as part of the 2021-22 State Budget, the $4.43 million allocation will deliver on a McGowan Government election commitment to provide enhanced support for veterans and their families.
The commitment will increase available funding for the Anzac Day Trust Grants Program to $1.3 million per year.
Organisations are able to use grant funding to assist ex-service personnel and their families – including providing support services, care, accommodation and advice, including skills training, career transition, work placement and access to professional networks.
Importantly it will give certainty to ex-service organisations working on the frontline, such as Legacy WA and RSLWA, allowing them to look beyond single-year funding cycles.
Last year, grants ranging from $700 to $120,000 were allocated to Western Australian veterans’ organisations to fund a range of initiatives and support services.
$430,000 is also being made available to develop a local assistance dogs program for veterans and first responders.
Assistance dogs have been shown to deliver positive outcomes for those suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, helping people to feel a sense of safety, improve interpersonal connections and regain other areas of functioning lost as a result of their trauma.
Applications for the 2021 Anzac Day Trust Grants Program close on August 27, 2021.
More information can be found at https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/anzac-day-trust-grant-2021
As stated by Veterans Issues Minister Paul Papalia
“Our veterans deserve our gratitude and support for the service they have given Australia.
“The State Government has delivered on our election promise to increase annual funding to veterans’ organisations by $1 million to $1.3 million.
“This funding boost will mean organisations working on the frontline to support our veterans and their families can expand their existing support programs and create new ones.
“It will also give certainty, because it will allow them to look beyond single-year funding cycles.
“Our Government values our veterans and the service they have given to our country and we value the support these organisations are providing as they transition back into civilian life.”
