OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP VETERANS’ WELLBEING CENTRE

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has welcomed the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel’s invitation to RSL Lifecare and the Pro Patria Centre to apply for funding under a one-off grants program to develop a local Veterans’ Wellbeing Centre.

It comes after more than a year of advocating from Mr McCormack to the Federal Government to match a $5 million commitment from the Coalition for a Veterans’ Wellbeing Centre made during the 2022 Federal Election campaign.

Mr McCormack said whilst the opportunity under the Veteran Wellbeing Grants (VWB) One-Off Program is not a guarantee of funding, it was a good opportunity for RSL Lifecare and Pro Patria to put their cases to the Minister.

“I have been fighting for a Veterans’ Wellbeing Centre for the Wagga Wagga region and am pleased the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh, has invited RSL Lifecare and Pro Patria to apply for funding,” Mr McCormack said.

“The Federal Government’s Veteran Wellbeing Grants One-Off Program is offering grant opportunities of between $150,000 and $5 million to go towards enhancing infrastructure and services to support Veterans and their families.

“The Wagga Wagga region deserves a dedicated Veteran Wellbeing Centre to support the large population of Veterans and their families, as well as current serving members of the Defence Force.

“I wish both organisations all the best in their applications.”

Applications from invited organisations are assesses competitively based on the criteria set out in the VWG One-Off Grant Opportunity Guidelines, with the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the final decision-maker for the program.

Invited organisations have been contacted by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.