Veterans assisted despite obstacles

Drouin veteran Graeme Watts, who has been president of the West Gippsland Veterans Welfare Centre since its inception 24 years ago, was re-elected at the annual meeting last week.

Mr Watts reported on a successful year assisting veterans despite COVID obstacles and lockdowns.

The association assists serving and ex service personnel and their families in and outside West Gippsland.

The organisation assists in administering various veteran welfare entitlements together with an assortment of other welfare matters.

James Burke was re-elected secretary and Ivan Standen was re-elected treasure.

Other committee members include John Grace, Kevin Stephens, Noel Tucker, Brian Milner, Sue Milner, John Martin, Rod McNab and Wayne Andrews.

Advocates are James Burke, John Grace, Rod McNab, Brian Milner, Kevin Rickwood, Ivan Standen , Graeme Watts and John Horan.

Administration officers are Gayle Chippindall, Margaret Cook, Bill Cornford, Helen Gregg, John Martin, Sue Milner, Helen Molnar and Noel Price.

Mr Watts said despite the lockdowns and other restrictions the centre was able to send nine claims to DVA, received 10 determinations and had 10 claims outstanding.

Claims lodged to DVA were for disability pensions and applications for increase in disability pension, war widow pension and DRCA claims.

Mr Watts said in the past year the annualised revenue the centre generated for veterans/ members and their dependants in Baw Baw Shire was $2.22 million under VEA, DRCA and MRCA.

For veterans and members who live outside the Baw Baw Shire area the revenue was $2.67 million.

“These amounts do not include the service pensions or war widow’s pensions or the benefits of the DVA gold or white medical cards.

Income support payments for WWP are included,” he said

“We had two ATDP presenters and assessors from our veteran’s welfare centre and one regional mentor of students who are undergoing training or recognition of prior learning. They were Brian Milner and Ivan Standen who have resigned from those positions late in the year.

Mr Watts said the RSL would establish a hub in Baw Baw at a later date, Initial hubs will be established in Warrnambool and Frankston.

They will be staffed by paid staff and volunteers with the appropriate qualifications.

The centre in Drouin is open each Tuesday or by appointment. In more urgent cases home visits can be organised.

Many hours are put in by the rehabilitation and compensation advocates other than on Tuesdays in visiting veterans/members and other work at the centre.

In the past year volunteers contributed more than 2000 hours, totalling about 40 hours a week.

“These figures demonstrate that the services from our voluntary organisation are indeed required within and outside the Baw Baw Shire Council area,” Mr Watts said.

Mr Watts said without the support of volunteers the centre could not operate.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to everyone involved at all levels for their valuable time and effort that they have put into the Veterans Welfare Centre.

Mr Watts thanked procurement officer John Martin and the committee for all of its work during the year.

Mr Watts acknowledged the work over many years of Brian and Sue Milner who moved to Queensland last year.

“Brian was the driving force for establishing a veterans welfare centre in our area back in 1995. Brian is still a registered advocate under this veterans centre,” he said.