About Veterans at DPCD

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that ex-service men and women are honoured  and remembered in recognition of the service they have offered our nation.

The Veterans Unit commemorates and supports veterans in Victoria through a range of initiatives that promote understanding of the service and sacrifices tendered by veterans in war and peace.

Our Minister

Following the election of the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition to Government in November 2010, the Member for Lowan, Hon Hugh Delahunty MP, was appointed Minister for Veterans Affairs. As Minister, Mr Delahunty is responsible for veterans’ issues, providing Victorian ex-servicemen and women with a clear and prominent voice in Government.

Find out more about our ministers at the Department for Planning and Community Development. 

Grants to restore community war memorials

The Veterans Unit manages the Restoring Community War Memorials Grants program. This grants scheme supports communities to preserve war memorials and honour boards for future generations.

Premier's Spirit of ANZAC Prize

The Premier's Spirit of ANZAC prize is an annual competition for Year 9 and 10 students. Applicants are invited to submit entries ranging from poems to essays, and ten winners are selected for a study tour of overseas sites where Australians have served in war. Previous tour groups have been to the Western Front, Gallipoli, Korea and Singapore.

Veterans Heritage Initiatives

The Veterans Unit manages a number of initiatives relating to the preservation of war-related heritage. These include the Victorian War Heritage Inventory, the 'In Our Words' Veterans' Digital Storytelling Project and Veterans Heritage Workshops. Information about these and other programs can be found on the Victorian Veterans Virtual Museum.

Supporting ANZAC Day

The Veterans Unit supports the annual ANZAC Day parade and commemorative services. On Anzac Day, and the days either side, free travel is available on Victorian Public Transport for veterans and war widows.

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.