Photo Caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton with Secretary of the National Diggers Bowls Carnival, Eric Chamberlain. The Carnival is the recipient of $3,630 under the Veteran and Community Grants program to transport veterans to and from the three-day event in September.

Australian diggers in Dubbo for a veterans’ bowls event in two months’ time will be supported by Federal Government funding for transport.

The 13th Annual National Diggers Bowls Carnival will be held from 15-17 September this year, involving both Club Dubbo and the Macquarie Bowling Club.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the small grant of $3,630 under the Veteran and Community Grants program will make a positive impact on the veteran community.

“It’s so important we get behind programs and activities that support the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families in the Parkes electorate,” Mr Coulton said.

“Our community organisations, ex-service organisations and other local veteran groups provide valuable services and support to veterans and their families.

“With this grant, the National Diggers Bowls Carnival will be able to hire buses from a local Dubbo company to transport veterans to and from the three-day event.

“This funding not only supports local veterans and their families, but also the local community by bolstering local employment and businesses.

“I thank the National Diggers Bowls Carnival committee for the wonderful support they continue to provide for the veteran community.”

Secretary of the National Diggers Bowls Carnival, Eric Chamberlain, said veterans will come from all over Australia to attend the event in Dubbo.

“We’re hoping to go ahead as planned this year, but we’ll be keeping an eye on things as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves,” Mr Chamberlain said.

“As we all get older, it’s a whole lot easier being transported to and from local events like our National Diggers Bowls Carnival, so this assistance will make a great difference.”

More than $470,000 in funding has been announced for 28 projects under the latest round of the Veteran and Community Grants program. For more information, visit www.dva.gov.au and search ‘Veteran and Community Grants Program’.