About us
The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that ex-service men and women are remembered, honoured and supported in recognition of the service they have offered our nation. By educating future generations about the sacrifices of Victorian veterans, Victorians can honour veterans’ service and learn from their legacy.
The Veterans Unit commemorates, honours and supports veterans in Victoria through a range or initiatives that promote understanding of the service tendered by veterans in war and peace.
Grants to restore community war memorials
The Department of Planning and Community Development provides grants to restore community war memorials.
Supporting ANZAC Day
The Department of Planning and Community Development provides $50 000 per year to support the ANZAC Day parade and commemorative services and organises free travel on Victorian Public Transport to include the day before and the day after ANZAC Day for veterans and war widows.
Spirit of ANZAC prize
The annual Victorian Spirit of ANZAC prize is a competition run by the Victorian Government for secondary students to submit entries ranging from poems to essays that capture the spirit of ANZAC. Student winners travel each year on a special annual overseas trip to sites of significance involving Australian troops.
Supporting the Shrine of Remembrance
The Victorian Government has supported the Shrine of Remembrance by providing funding to construct an education centre within the undercroft of the Shrine to cater for up to 40 000 students every year, funding to develop a business case for a proposed major redevelopment of the Galleries of Remembrance, and additional funding to help the Shrine to cover operating costs associated with increased visitor demand.
Concession travel for veterans
Veterans enjoy free travel on the Victorian public transport network on April 24, 25 and 26. To qualify for free travel on Metcard or V/Line ticketed services, veterans simply need to wear their RSL badge, uniform or present their DVA Gold or White card. This Victorian Government initiative helps veterans to meet fellow diggers during the ANZAC Day period.
Our Minister
The Premier of Victoria, John Brumby MP, is the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and is responsible for veterans’ issues at the State level. The Premier provides Victorian ex-servicemen and women with a clear and prominent voice in Government. The Veterans Unit in the Department of Planning and Community Development has been established to centralise operational activities across Government and support the Premier in this role. Tony Robinson MP, Minister Assisting the Premier on Veterans Affairs, assists the Premier on matters relating to Veterans’ Affairs.
Find out more about our ministers at the Department for Planning and Community Development.
Web Site Updates
DPCD's websites are progressively being updated to reflect the changes following the establishment of the
department. This means you will continue to see some references to the Department for Victorian Communities
(DVC) as changes are being made.
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