Federal funding to benefit Dungog RSL

BY MIA GORSEVSKI

New federal funding is set to benefit an Ex-Services Club at Dungog.

These grants will share the importance these servicemen and women have served since the 1950's with community targeted programs.

The Dungog RSL is installing a new Roll of Honour in their Memorial Club to pay respects to our local service personnel. 

Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said, "We are supporting Dungog RSL under the Saluting Their Service program." 

"Deigned to preserve our wartime heritage and involve local communities in projects that highlight the service and sacrifice of service personnel."

This commemorative Grant has been created to involve communities in supporting those who served our nation by recognising the heritage while incorporating a large range of activities and projects.

Three clubs have accepted grants to support this initiative, including:

• Dungog RSL Sub-Branch - $4,000 to install a new Roll of Honour.
• Forster Tuncurry RSL Sub-Branch - $2,205.55 for veterans' advocacy and advice.
• Wingham RSL Sub-Branch - $3,000 to support volunteer activities.

The Forster Tuncurry RSL has secured a grant for ex-service personnel club to continue to respect those serving.

Along with this as part of the Governments commitment, The Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) program, is developed to offer advice and assistance to local veteran and defence community since their work.

Ex-servicemen and women may reach to these programs for pensions, welfare work, advocacy and advice on these areas.

The Wingham RSL has also been successful in securing the federal funding through the Volunteer Grants 2021. 

With this, there are more than 50 successful projects throughout local communities.

"I am delighted to be announcing this funding support for three local clubs who are doing so much to promote appreciation of our servicemen and women and the roles that they have played in shaping our nation," Dr Gillespie said.

Dr Gillespie says she will continue to contact community organisations to congratulate them the federal funding acceptance for the volunteer work they continue to complete. 

Support your local club by attending and sharing these wonderful programs and initiatives set to honour and pay our respects to the servicemen and women across our nation.

Further applications are currently open for the program, closing on February 8th 2022. 

Federal Member for Lyne, Dr David Gillespie.

New support for service-people and their families in Singleton

BY SAMUEL BARTLETT

Soldier On has expanded its pathways program with the launching of new employment support in Singleton.

The program offers free practical employment and education support for veterans and their families.

It also offers guidance opportunities for education, assisting in the transition from serving, to civilian careers.

Soldier On CEO Ivan Slavich says the program currently reaches more than 6,000 Australian veterans and their families but the new program at Singleton provides practical support like no other.

"This is actually very unique and it something we're doing in consultation with Lieutenant Colonel James Smith who's the commander at the school of infantry in singleton," he says.

He says the new program in Singleton is ground breaking and, "Its not just the member of the ADF that we're helping, but we're actually helping a spouse or a family member obtain gainful employment."

One of the key challenges facing those serving in the ADF is their postings around the country often cause disruption for the family. Soldier On aims to help stabilise the family unit by offering support through education and employment.

Soldier On's Services include a range of mental health and wellbeing services, and Ivan Slavich says they follow a HELP acronym to describe their work.

"H stands for health and wellbeing, E is employment transition, L is learning and education and P is participation and social connection for those serving and ex-serving members of the ADF".

He says, "This is an excellent pilot in singleton because its a model that ought to be adopted at many military bases around the country."

Veterans Hit the High Seas at Port Stephens for Mental Health Fishing Event

BY DAKOTA TAIT

More than 70 veterans and their family members from across the country took to the Port Stephens coast on Wednesday as part of a social fishing event to support their mental health.

Twenty boats hit the high seas to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the fishing adventure, reeling in marlin alongside famous fisher and television presenter Andrew Ettinghausen.

The two-day trip was organized by Calypso Fishing Adventures and not-for-profit veteran support organization Soldier On.

Soldier On CEO Ivan Slavich said the event was a great opportunity for the veterans and their families to make meaningful connections and better their mental health in a positive social setting.

"We have amateurs, we've veterans who have got a disability, we've got veterans who are going through some mental health issues," Mr Slavich said.

Mr Slavich said the effort of the community members and local businesses who helped get the event up and running meant a lot to the veterans.

"They've donated essentially $70,000 worth of fuel and bait and lines and their time, to help 70 veterans who are doing it a bit tough, to get out there and have some social connection and a little bit of fun to help with their mental health," Mr Slavich said. 

"And in fact, on the boat that I'm in, we've got a 30 year veteran who caught her first slimy and then subsequently caught her first 70 kg marlin, so an amazing experience for her." 

"I've been fishing for 30 years and I've never caught a marlin, so that's pretty good going."

Mr Slavich is also encouraging the community to get involved in the 96 kilometre March On walk next month to help raise funds for veterans' mental health programs.