Veterans Benevolent Fund
The Veterans Benevolent Fund is the charitable arm of the RSL & Services Clubs Association. It is a registered charity under the ACNC with funds directed to valid programs and services focused on veterans and their families.
With the increase in the frequency and intensity of bushfires and floods, the relationship with the VBF has been exceptionally valuable to DRA. We are immensely grateful for the ongoing support of the VBF.
2021 Funding Highlights
1. PPE
In light of the increased need for disaster recovery operations assisting local communities now and into the future, DRA identified a shortfall of Personal Protective Equipment with which to equip veterans for training and operations. The VBF graciously donated the funds to allow us to equip our veterans with long-sleeve uniform work-shirts, cotton high vis vests, rigger gloves and face shields for chainsaw qualification courses.
2. AEDs
DRA regularly deploys veterans to remote disaster zones throughout the year to assist in recovery and resilience operations. To aid DRA in looking after the veteran community and to maintain a safe working environment, the VBF have funded DRA for 20 Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) which will be placed in each Disaster Relief Team, fleetvehicle and Strike Team kits for deployment.
Recent News
Veterans Benevolent Fund Keeps Veterans Safe as Disaster Season Looms
In August 2018, Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) came seriously close to suffering a fatality from a heart attack. Brett Burriss, then just 42, returned to the groups base at Dubbo RSL after a long day assisting farmers with drought relief in Western NSW. A little...