Gold Coast veterans are being supported and remembered through a range of Federal Government grants programs – which are designed to honour the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service men and women.
Those who fought in the First and Second World Wars will be recognised with a new memorial at Kirra Surf Lifesaving Club.
Member for McPherson Karen Andrews MP said the Kirra Surf Old Boys Association successfully applied for $10,000 in funding through the Saluting Their Service Commemorative grants program.
“The Kirra SLSC is one of the oldest clubs on the Gold Coast, with history spanning more than 100 years,” Mrs Andrews said.
“The Kirra Surf Club Old Boys have done a terrific job in joining forces with the Kirra Historical Project to ensure our local heroes – who fought for our freedom – are remembered,” she added.
Kirra Surf Club Old Boys Association President Peter Beauchamp said the $10,000 grant was an excellent outcome for the committee.
“This generous funding, along with in-kind assistance from our Association members, will ensure we can create a unique acknowledgement of our club’s war veterans,” Mr Beauchamp said.
“This special project has been many years in the making, and with the grant we can finally make it a reality and ensure the sacrifice of our volunteer diggers is not forgotten.”
The tough physical and mental toll endured by our younger veterans is also being recognised, with Currumbin RSL and the Ron Workman OAM Veterans’ Support Centre (VSC) receiving two separate grants.
The VSC will invest funding of $10,450 – from a successful Veteran and Community Grants (V&CG) application – into the implementation of a holistic well-being program for young veterans and their families.
While more than $28,000 has been received through the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants.
Young Veteran Support Services Coordinator Naomi Wyatt (pictured) said the funding will help provide support to the Veteran Community with welfare and compensation advocacy assistance.
“This holistic program includes focus pillars that will enhance veterans’ mental health and wellbeing overall, as well as provide an opportunity for veterans to come together,” Ms Wyatt said.
“The pillars include: mindset, nutrition, breathing, sleep, and movement as medicine.”
Finally, the Rotary Club of Currumbin-Coolangatta-Tweed will use $1,100 in funding through the V&CG program to purchase audio books and relevant technology.
“A member of the VSC alerted us to the need for audio books in a local aged care home, to enable vision impaired residents to continue to enjoy the library,” Club President John Giuricin said.
“This is a simple way we can enhance the quality of life for some of those residents – particularly veterans.”
Mrs Andrews congratulated the club on helping to reduce social isolation within the community.
“Our Gold Coast community has a proud military history, with many veterans now calling our region home, and many more before them having served our nation,” she said.
“I commend the RSL and Rotary Club for utilising these Federal Government grants, which aim to improve the mental health and wellbeing of our veterans – young and old.”
To apply for a Federal Government Grant, visit the Community Grants Hub or GrantConnect websites.
