Media release - Minister Keogh - Investing in wellbeing support for veterans
Department of Veterans' Affairs
OFFICIAL
THE HON MATT KEOGH MP
Minister for VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL
MEDIA RELEASE
16 September 2025
INVESTING IN WELLBEING SUPPORT FOR VETERANS
The Albanese Government is supporting the wellbeing of our veteran community investing almost $3 million in a diverse range of community-led programs and projects offering tailored support.
Veteran Wellbeing Grants have been awarded to 46 initiatives from across the country, which will foster connection and community, promote physical and mental health, and raise awareness of important veteran community issues. These include:
- Trojan’s Trek, to offer wilderness-based peer support expeditions.
- Soldier On, to deliver learning and development sessions to veterans and families to enable smooth transition into civilian life.
- Guitars for Vets, which offers free music lessons.
Minister Matt Keogh announced the grants at the Legacy Club of Ipswich, which with the help of a Veteran Wellbeing Grant will offer retreats for the bereaved families of deceased veterans.
These will provide much-needed support and comfort to surviving spouses and children.
The full list of recipients for the 2024-2025 Veteran Wellbeing Grants Program round is below.
Applications for the next round will open later this year.
Quotes attributable to Matt Keogh, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs:
“I am particularly pleased to be making today’s announcement at the Legacy Club of Ipswich, whose retreats for veteran families who have lost loved ones offer support and comfort at a time of great need.
“It’s just one example of the diverse range of programs this $3 million will support, reflecting the huge range of individual needs of our veteran community.
“A surfing and fishing trip with mates might work for some veterans, where for others it could be indulging a love of performing stand-up comedy or playing music.
“The 46 community-led projects we’re funding give our veterans and families so many options to stay on top of their health and wellbeing.”
MEDIA CONTACT:
DVA Media: [email protected]
2024-2025 Veteran Wellbeing Grants Program recipients
|
Recipient |
Project |
State |
Amount |
|
Trojan's Trek Foundation Ltd. |
This project is to fund a wilderness-based peer support program split between 5 treks in 3 locations over a 6–7-day period supporting 90 veterans. |
ACT |
$194,000.00 |
|
Soldier On |
This project is to deliver learning and development sessions to 100 veterans and families to enable smooth transition into civilian life. |
ACT |
$50,000.00 |
|
Soldier On |
This project is to provide art therapy sessions designed specifically for veterans to enhance mental health, build resilience and foster social connections. |
ACT |
$21,945.00 |
|
Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Federation ACT Inc |
This project is to purchase a digital camera to photograph the social activities throughout the year. |
ACT |
$3,133.00 |
|
Soldier On |
This project is to improve social connectedness for 60 veterans through surfing and fishing activities. |
ACT |
$45,000.00 |
|
This project is to fund a 3 x 6-week (18 weeks) drumming therapy program designed to support 72 veterans' mental health and social wellbeing through the "Strength in Rhythm" program. |
ACT |
$28,870.00 |
|
|
Australian War Widows NSW Ltd |
This project is to fund wellbeing activities and information to 100 veteran families in Townsville, Geelong and Adelaide. It enables expansion to areas with high numbers of veteran families. |
NSW |
$49,295.00 |
|
Australian War Widows NSW Ltd |
This project is to support 150 War Widows in Victoria and Tasmania by providing wellbeing support through delivering social connection activities and peer support services. |
NSW |
$47,696.00 |
|
NSW |
|||
|
Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia Ltd. |
This project is to expand their successful Guitars for Vets program into QLD by providing a community based music, wellbeing program and offering veterans free guitar lessons. |
NSW |
$91,500.00 |
|
RSL Lifecare Ltd. |
This project is to provide an opportunity for 20 veterans and family members to come together in a safe environment to develop their writing skills, while also participating in a fun and socially engaging activity. |
NSW |
$34,460.00 |
|
Pro Patria Centre Ltd in consortium with Defence Shed Wagga Wagga INC |
This project is to enhance the wellbeing of 30 veterans and defence personnel through social connections and skill-building activities. |
NSW |
$71,054.00 |
|
Legacy Club Services |
This project is to run a series of camps for 335 veterans and families to connect people and provide a space for conversation and recovery. |
NSW |
$41,566.00 |
|
Legacy Club of Ipswich Inc. |
This project is to run weekly programs with various topics, and a 3 day retreat to assist 100 families facing trauma at the loss of loved ones. |
QLD |
$75,580.00 |
|
Veteran Gaming Australia Ltd. |
This project is to extend Veteran Gaming Australia's social connection events and hubs to new locations and introduce E-sports, and training opportunities alongside Invictus Australia. |
QLD |
$50,000.00 |
|
Mates4Mates Ltd. |
This project is to support 300 veterans and family members to maintain their health and wellbeing and improve their quality of life, through activities such as group physical training and yoga. |
QLD |
$46,376.00 |
|
National Servicemen's Association of Australia (QLD) Inc. |
This project is to provide 12 months of activities for 180 local veterans, their families. |
QLD |
$40,262.00 |
|
Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Yeppoon Sub Branch Inc. |
This project is to install a lift and expand and cover the deck area. |
QLD |
$32,850.00 |
|
VWF Inc. |
This project is to enhance the wellbeing of 2500 Australian veterans through a multifaceted approach to health, social connection, and community engagement. |
QLD |
$200,000.00 |
|
Our Mate-Ship Ltd. |
This project is to provide 750 young and transitioning veterans and their families with a supportive workshop environment to repair and restore donated boats. |
QLD |
$185,000.00 |
|
Our Mate-Ship Ltd. |
This project is to provide The Reel Wellness program which offers veterans and family members the opportunity to participate in a 4-week block of wellness-focused activities, with 12 blocks delivered annually. |
QLD |
$50,000.00 |
|
Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Agnes Water/1770 Sub Branch |
This project is to set up an outdoor area to the Veteran Support Centre in Miriam Vale to provide support, training, counselling, cooking classes, and dietitian presentations. |
QLD |
$23,800.00 |
|
The Legacy Club of Brisbane Ltd. In consortium with Run Army |
This project is to subsidise entry fees for the Run Army annual running event by providing a $25 discount per entry. |
QLD |
$50,000.00 |
|
Radschool Association Inc. |
This project is to fund a project for veterans to participate in Scootaville 2025 travelling on regional roads in QLD and NSW. |
QLD |
$44,074.00 |
|
Returned and Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Woodford Sub Branch |
This project is to purchase a minibus to transport 160 veterans and their families to and from social events, hospital visits, meetings and more. |
QLD |
$74,505.35 |
|
Returned Services League of Australia, Wallangarra Sub Branch Inc. |
This project is to concrete the Sub Branch carpark and pathways to improve accessibility for 70 veterans, particularly those with limited mobility. |
QLD |
$29,238.00 |
|
This project is to integrate evidence-based tools such as meditation, breathwork, and self-paced and monitored success to empower veterans to proactively manage their mental health and wellbeing. |
QLD |
$85,000.00 |
|
|
Salute for Service Australia Ltd |
This project is to fund 12 nationwide workshops to support career development, mental health, and education for 500 transitioning veterans. |
QLD |
$150,000.00 |
|
Salute for Service Australia Ltd in consortium with Calmed Forces Pty Ltd |
This project is to deliver 12-14 holistic wellbeing programs combining breathwork, ice bath therapy, and psychosocial support to 500 veterans across Australia. |
QLD |
$100,900.00 |
|
Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Murgon Sub Branch Inc. |
This project is to install a concrete pathway to increase safety and accessibility of the Veteran Memorial Park. |
QLD |
$37,000.00 |
|
Women Veterans Australia Ltd |
This project is to deliver a comprehensive communications and advocacy initiative to enhance public and professional understanding of women veteran's contributions and needs. |
QLD |
$91,300.00 |
|
Returned & Services League of Australia (QLD Branch) Currumbin Palm Beach |
This project is to deliver the Mateship run (11.11km run), held near Remembrance Day, designed to be an annual event to provide a platform for education, connection, and support. |
QLD |
$15,000.00 |
|
Returned & Services League (Wallaroo) Sub Branch Inc. |
This project is to create an outdoor space with veranda, install a 4-panel sliding door to the backyard (to allow better access for those with limited mobility) and concrete a path with ramp installed for wheelchair access at the RSL Wallaroo Sub Branch. |
SA |
$44,076.00 |
|
Frontline Mental Health Pty Ltd in consortium with Legacy Club of South Australia and Broken Hill Inc |
This project is to fund a mental health and wellbeing program by Frontline Mental Health (FMH) to equip 120 veterans with skills to enhance psychological functioning, resilience, and interpersonal effectiveness. |
SA |
$49,100.00 |
|
Returned Services' League (Willunga & District Sub Branch) Inc. |
This project is to replace the worn-down stools at the RSL Club. |
SA |
$4,500.00 |
|
RSL Care South Australia Inc. |
This project is to purchase a utility vehicle to assist in the expansion of the Andrew Russell Veteran Living (ARVL) housing program for vulnerable veterans. |
SA |
$37,157.99 |
|
National Servicemen's Association of Australia |
This project is to provide bus services for 153 members to attend various commemorative events. |
VIC |
$4,000.00 |
|
Ballarat Veterans Assistance Centre Inc. |
This project is to provide membership for 25 veterans and or their families to the Ballarat Veterans Assistance Centre, which will include full use of the facility, access to a range of exercise programs including Pilates, yoga, gymnastics, swimming and cafe. |
VIC |
$23,160.00 |
|
Ringwood RSL Sub Branch Inc. |
This project is to fund a program of eGaming for 150 veteran participants to facilitate peer to peer support through shared interests to improve mental health and wellbeing. |
VIC |
$131,790.73 |
|
I've Got Your 6 Foundation Ltd |
This project is to help 240 veterans find purpose in life after service by learning techniques such as natural language processing, neuroscience, and life coaching to build resilience, enhance self-awareness, and rediscover their purpose. |
VIC |
$192,500.00 |
|
The Fallen 41 Inc. |
This project is to pilot a pathway to care between Men's Sheds and veteran group The Fallen 41 by completing a portfolio of restoration projects of military heritage equipment. |
VIC |
$15,850.00 |
|
Central Christian Church - Seymour Inc. in consortium with Heathcote RSL |
This project is to improve the well-being of 40 veterans through equine-assisted learning. |
VIC |
$49,988.00 |
|
Invisible Injuries Australia Ltd |
This project is to deliver four different programs to 500 veterans and their families that promote and enhance healthy lifestyles, physical activity and mental wellbeing. |
WA |
$40,400.00 |
|
The Resilience Shield Pty Ltd in consortium with The Returned and Services League of Australia WA Branch Inc |
This project is to fund the 'The Resilience Shield Comedy Project, Laughter on the Frontline', offering workshops that blend resilience-building techniques with stand-up comedy, fostering well-being and social engagement to 36 veterans. |
WA |
$197,132.00 |
|
The Resilience Shield Pty Ltd in consortium with The Returned and Services League of Australia WA Branch |
This project is to fund a four-day program at ANZAC House WA for 35 veterans to engage in interactive workshops designed to build resilience for transitioning into civilian or self-employment. |
WA |
$48,287.00 |
|
The Returned & Services League of Australia WA Branch Inc. |
This project is to take 47 local Vietnam veterans on wellness weekends in Busselton, WA. |
WA |
$5,670.00 |