Base Welfare Grants Scheme
In June 2013 the Board introduced a Base Welfare Grants Scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to provide grants of funds to bases to support the welfare and amenity available to Air Force personnel and their dependants and, incidentally, any other Service or Australian Public Service personnel who may be co-located with the Air Force members.
The scheme is intended to be flexible in terms of the forms of welfare that could be supported, and the amount which the RWTF in its discretion could provide. During 2018-19 $145,824 was approved for distribution to bases across Australia, an increase from $127,437 provided in 2017-18.
The following table provides a summary of the Base Welfare Grants Scheme distribution of funds.
|
RAAF Base |
Amount $ |
Purpose of Grant |
|---|---|---|
|
Amberley |
15,500 |
Support the Base Christmas Treat function. Safety equipment and life jackets for the Sailing Club. Headset replacement for the Flying Club. Assist the Fishing Club with boat maintenance. Model Aero Club assistance. Outdoor and bbq area improvements. Repairs to Shooting Club equipment. |
|
Butterworth Malaysia |
5,000 |
Wi-Fi upgrade at the Australian Air Force Club Penang. |
|
Cocos Island |
500 |
Base and community event |
|
Darwin |
8,500 |
Support the Base Christmas Treat function. Assist the Fishing Club boat with boat maintenance. Welfare Store purchases including a portable fridge and bbqs. |
|
East Sale |
5,800 |
Support the Base Christmas Treat function. Welfare Store purchases including a portable fridge and bbqs Assist the Fishing Club with boat maintenance. Support for a family day. Outdoor and bbq area improvements. |
|
Edinburgh |
17,200 |
Support the Base Christmas Treat function. Foxtel subscription for the Airmen’s’ and Other Ranks Mess. Outdoor and bbq area improvements. Assist the Water-ski Club with safety and other equipment. Assist with upkeep of fencing at Base Welfare holiday shacks. |
|
Glenbrook |
7,000 |
Support for outdoor cinema event. Hiking tents and first aid kits for Base Welfare. Wi-Fi network and other equipment for the Officers Mess. |
|
Pearce |
13,098 |
Support the Base Christmas Treat function. Equipment for Learmonth community centre. Audio visual equipment for common area mess. Chaplain and play group area refurbishment. |
|
Richmond |
22,000 |
Support the Base Christmas Treat function. Create a family room at the Officers’ Mess Assistance towards a carport for the Fishing Club. Assistance towards a glider purchase. |
|
Tindal |
13,156 |
Support the Base Christmas Treat function. Furniture for the Junior Ranks’ Club. |
|
Wagga |
12,720 |
Support the Base Christmas Treat function. Assist with Base benefit activities. Foxtel subscription for the Airmen’s Club. Purchase of a pool table for the Airmen’s Club. |
|
Williams |
7,500 |
Support the Base Christmas Treat function. Support for the Golf Club during club house relocation. |
|
Williamtown |
14,850 |
Assist the Flying Club with equipment purchases. Support for a family day. Assist the Car and Hobby club to purchase storage containers. . |
|
Woomera |
3,000 |
Support movie nights. |
|
TOTAL |
$145,824 |
In the 7 years since the inception of the Base Welfare Grants Scheme a total of $640,746 has been provided to assist bases with welfare related projects.
Air Force Headquarters also used the annual bidding process under the RWTF Base Welfare Grants Scheme to manage and distribute the funds collected for Hamilton Initiatives (funds derived from the bar profits of certain Base bars). The following activities met the alcohol diversionary requirements and received endorsement by the RWTF Board. DGCHAP-AF approved the distribution of over $50,000 from Hamilton Initiative funding for the following projects:
|
RAAF Base |
Amount $ |
Purpose of Funding |
|---|---|---|
|
Amberley |
8,600 |
Touch Football Club representative shirts. Unit PT Equipment purchases. Assistance towards Scuba Club purchases. |
|
Darwin |
250 |
Bluetooth speaker for Base Welfare activities. |
|
East Sale |
9,342 |
Outdoor display enclosures for the Base cinema. Support for East Sale Family Group. |
|
Edinburgh |
1,500 |
Touch Football referee uniforms and equipment. |
|
Glenbrook |
8,450 |
Family passes to Sydney Attractions. Support for monthly fitness sessions. Purchase of mountain bikes for Base Welfare. |
|
Middle East Area of Operations |
4,000 |
Charity run support. |
|
Pearce |
1,800 |
Base fun run support. Garden beds for Learmonth. |
|
Richmond |
4,000 |
Base outdoor pool area upgrade. |
|
Wagga |
8,610 |
Purchase of ski equipment for the Base Welfare store. Purchase of electronic equipment for the Community House. Support for 1Recruit Training unit community events. |
|
Williamtown |
4,444 |
Canteen Equipment for the Williamtown Soccer Club. Electronic equipment for the Defence Family Group. |
|
TOTAL |
$50,996 |
Visit
https://www.transparency.gov.au/annual-reports/royal-australian-air-force-welfare-trust-fund/reporting-year/2018-2019-36