Guy Barnett,Minister for Veterans' Affairs
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to supporting the State's more than 10,500 veterans and ex service personnel, and their families.
Today, I am pleased to announce that Launceston Legacy and Hobart Legacy will receive $20,000 each per year from our Government to support the families of veterans and ex service personnel.
Launceston Legacy formerly received funding through the Anzac Day Trust, which was wound up by the Parliament at the end of 2020.
The new funding model, currently being implemented by our Government, will increase funding to Launceston and Hobart legacies by approximately $15,000 per annum.
This approach will provide certainty for Legacy Hobart and Launceston and be consistent with the purpose of the Anzac Day Trust. It will also minimise administrative costs associated with the Trust for the Government and Legacy Hobart and Launceston.
Legacy provides critical support to veterans and their families and is dedicated to caring for the families of fallen or seriously injured veterans. Tasmania has a special connection with Legacy, as the charity originated here in 1923 with the founding of the Remembrance Club in Hobart by Tasmanian Major-General Sir John Gellibrand and others to encourage returned servicemen in business.
In Tasmania, Legacy Hobart assists more than 780 widows and widowers and approximately 19 children, and in the North, Launceston Legacy supports over 870 widows and widowers and around 17 children.
Applications are also now open for the next intake of the Veterans' Active Recreation Program.
The Program, which will run in April 2021, is a $225,000 Tasmanian Government initiative that seeks to provide veterans with a challenging outdoor experience in a national park environment that delivers comradery, team work and links to training and employment pathways in outdoor education and eco-tourism.
Local veteran owned and operated adventure and self-improvement company Point Assist are delivering the Program.
