Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said veterans and their families in the Manly-Lota area would benefit from Australian Government grant funding for a local project.

Mr Vasta said the Returned and Services League of Australia’s Manly-Lota Sub-Branch had been awarded $37,800 to install air-conditioning at its community hall in Manly under the Veteran and Community Grants program.

“By providing funding to local organisations for special projects, the Government is helping improve the lives of veterans, their families and local communities,” Mr Vasta said.

“The dedication and hard work of organisations such as Manly-Lota RSL ensure veterans and their families receive services, support and opportunities to play a bigger role in our community.
  
“Manly-Lota RSL has a well-deserved reputation for its commitment to improving the lives of those who have served our nation and these grants are another way we honour the service and sacrifice of the men and women who serve in defence of our country.”

President of Manly-Lota RSL, Doug Jones welcomed the announcement.

“Air-conditioning for the hall will not only benefit the older ex-diggers, but also other citizens who use the hall. There are 27 community organisations that currently use the hall,” Mr Jones said.

“Temperatures can get quite hot inside the hall, so this will make it more comfortable for the people inside particularly the elderly.”

Ex-service and community organisations, veteran groups and private organisations that contribute to the health and welfare of the veteran community are eligible to apply for funding through the DVA Veteran and Community Grants program.

For more information about the Veteran and Community Grants program or to apply, visit the DVA website www.dva.gov.au/consultation-and-grants/grants or contact your nearest DVA office on 133 254 or 1800 555 254 from regional Australia.  

Hemmant Flexible Learning Centre will soon have two new General Learning Areas and associated walkways after Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP today announced a $298,312 Australian Government grant through the Capital Grants Program.

Mr Vasta congratulated Hemmant Flexible Learning Centre on being selected for the grant and said it would be in addition to the record levels of funding the Turnbull Government is investing in schools.

“These funds will ensure students at Hemmant Flexible Learning Centre have the infrastructure necessary to help them get the most out of their time at school,” Mr Vasta said.

Principal of Hemmant Flexible Learning Centre, Paul Flanders said he was pleased with the announcement.

“These additional educational facilities at Hemmant Flexible Learning Centre will be of great benefit to the young people who attend the school,” Mr Flanders said.

“These new rooms will allow for more differentiated and specialised delivery of curriculum to cater for the diverse needs of our student population.”

Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the Capital Grants Program provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure where they otherwise may not have access to sufficient resources. 

“The Turnbull Government is committed to improving the quality of our school education and ensuring students have access to the resources they need so they are equipped with the skills to succeed in an increasingly competitive world,” Minister Birmingham said.

“The Turnbull Government believes in an education system that puts students first. That’s why in addition to our Capital Grants Program, our record levels of schools funding will be allocated according to need and tied to a range of evidence-based initiatives. These initiatives will focus on outcomes in literacy, numeracy and STEM subjects, helping lift teacher quality and better preparing our children for life after school.” 

Further information on the Capital Grants Program can be found on the Department of Education and Training website at www.education.gov.au.

8 November 2016

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP, has encouraged the community to honour Remembrance Day and remember every Australian who has made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our nation.

“Remembrance Day on November 11 marks 98 years since the Armistice that ended the First World War,” Ross Vasta said.

“I encourage everyone to pause for one minute’s silence at 11am and to wear a red poppy in memory of our servicemen and women who have lost their lives fighting for our freedom in both World Wars and in all theatres of war and conflict.

“On Remembrance Day we honour more than 102,000 Australians who have died serving our country.

“It is important we keep their memory alive and educate the next generation about their service and sacrifice.”

This Friday, 21 October, FSG Australia (FSG) and Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP, will be coming together to host a Carers Morning Tea at the FSG Café in Wynnum during National Carer’s Week, to celebrate Australia’s more than 2.8 million unpaid carers.

“Unpaid carers are often performing this role for a loved one or family member, and it can often lead to levels of social isolation, as well as personal and financial stress. An estimated $1.9 billion of care is provided by this group and without them, aged and disability care would simply be unaffordable. It is therefore important to recognise the work they do. Events like this during National Carer’s Week are a small gesture from our community to say thank you,” says Ross Vasta MP.

FSG Australia provides supports to Australians who care for parents, children, relatives, partners and friends, through workshops, courses, respite services and information provision.

“Carers come from every area of our community. Not many people know that more than 300,000 of Australia’s unpaid carers are younger than 25. The role is often performed without support or recognition. We wanted to come together in our local community to demonstrate community support for our carers and let them know what they do counts,” says Sharon Munn, FSG Senior Coordinator, Aged and Carer Services.

“It’s important that people understand how difficult and isolating being a carer can be. I had to give up work to look after my late father for five years, while also caring for my multiple handicapped son. I’m glad we have events like this in our local area that let carers know they’re not alone and that there’s support out there for them,” says Gillian Dowling from Wynnum West.

FSG and Ross Vasta have invited carers from the local Wynnum/Manly community to attend the morning tea to acknowledge the vital role they play in our society.

Event details:
10am, Friday 21 October
FSG Café, 70-72 Edith Street, Wynnum

People living with dementia, their families and carers would benefit from new initiatives being developed by FSG Australia to build a dementia friendly community in Wynnum, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

“In Australia over 350,000 people are currently living with dementia. This Dementia Awareness Month it’s important to let these people and the people who care for them know the community supports them and their needs,” Mr Vasta said.

“FSG Australia is working on some fantastic initiatives in Wynnum to increase support in the community for people living with dementia and their carers.”

“Just recently I had the privilege to attend FSG’s first Dementia Friendly Community Café. It was great to see this friendly group of carers and people with dementia come together in support of each other.”

Mr Vasta said his office had recently taken part in the Dementia Education and Training Program run by FSG.

“This program provides individual carers and their families with education, training and support—another valuable part of letting carers and people living with dementia know they’re not alone,” Mr Vasta said.

Those looking for more information on FSG’s dementia friendly initiatives can visit www.fsg.org.au or call (07) 3297 4300.

Applications are now open to nominate a worthy serviceman or woman for a Certificate of Appreciation under the Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorations Program, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

“Certificates of Appreciation are a way of expressing the nation’s gratitude to those who served in the defence forces or on the home front in the Second World War, or in wars, conflicts and peace operations overseas since the Second World War,” Mr Vasta said.

Certificates of Appreciation are available to those who contributed to Australia’s efforts in the following conflicts and events:

• Second World War, for service in the Australian armed forces or on the home front;
• British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) Japan;
• Korean War;
• Malayan Emergency;
• Indonesian Confrontation;
• Vietnam War;
• Gulf War;
• Iraq War; 
• War in Afghanistan; and
• Peace Operations.

Veterans and those who served in the wars, conflicts and peace operations for which certificates are available, as well as family members of deceased eligible persons, can apply for Certificates of Appreciation.

Application forms are available from Ross Vasta’s office, DVA offices or can be downloaded from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website at http://www.dva.gov.au/dvaforms (click on Topics and select Certificate of Appreciation forms).