Patriotic funds are a type of trust fund created after the First World War, when Victorian communities raised money to assist soldiers and their families. They provide welfare services and clubrooms for returned service personnel and their dependants.
The Veterans Act 2005 sets obligations for raising and distributing these funds in Victoria. The Victorian Veterans Council provides advice to the Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs on matters relating to the regulation of patriotic funds.
For more information on how to raise and distribute patriotic funds and reporting requirements, visit Consumer Affairs Victoria.(opens in a new window)
The Council also acts as trustee to the following 6 patriotic funds. For more information, email the Victorian Veterans Council.
The Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen and Women Scholarship Fund – Albert Coates Memorial Trust
For students studying paramedics, nursing or medicine at a Victorian university. Annual scholarships are awarded by the Albert Coates Memorial Trust.
Visit Albert Coates Memorial Trust for more information and to apply.
The Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen and Women Scholarship Fund – Nurses Memorial Centre
For postgraduate students in aged or palliative care at a recognised Victorian university. Annual scholarships are awarded by the Nurses Memorial Centre.
Visit Nurses Memorial Centre(opens in a new window) for more information and to apply.
The War Widows and Widowed Mothers Association Scholarship Fund
For a postgraduate student in palliative care, aged care or midwifery. Annual scholarships are awarded by the Faculty of Health at Federation University Australia (Ballarat).
Visit Federation University(opens in a new window) for more information and to apply.
The Extremely Disabled Association (EDA) Patriotic Fund – DVA Story Writing and Art Competition
Support for the Victorian Story Writing and Art Competition. The competition began as a rehabilitation activity run by Austin Health’s Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and ran from 1962–1968.
The Australian United Ex-Service Association (AUESA) Patriotic Fund – Austin Health
For training post-graduate students in the field of veterans’ health at the Austin Health: Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.
The Victorian Blinded Soldiers' Welfare Patriotic Fund
Welfare assistance for visually impaired veterans and their dependants, and for former Australian Defence Force personnel with vision impairment due to their service.
Email the Victorian Veterans Council for more information and to apply.
Updated