Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation directors Chris Copulos and Jacqui Retzos, and chair Peter Copulos, with Shepparton RSL sub-branch president Bob Wilkie, Shepparton RSL general manager Grant Tarrant, and Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation advisor John Evans are pleased about the donation.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Defence force veterans in the Goulburn Valley have been given a helping hand, thanks to a donation of tens of thousands of dollars from a Shepparton charitable organisation.
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The Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation has donated $80,000 over two past years to the Shepparton RSL’s poppy and Anzac appeals.
Money donated to the appeals is usually all sent to Melbourne, and then half returned to Shepparton, but the foundation’s donation came with a condition that the money all be spent in Shepparton.
Shepparton RSL sub-branch president Bob Wilkie said the money would be all spent supporting veterans through the sub-branch’s veterans’ centre.
“All the money is spent on veterans in need,” he said.
This includes both old and younger defence force veterans.
“We have a lot of veterans transitioning from the defence force and this helps them get back on track,” he said.
It can help with things such as grocery shopping or buying schoolbooks for a veteran’s child, before the veteran is able to gain employment out of the defence force.
Mr Wilkie said it could often take two to three years for veterans’ claims through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to be finalised after they have left the defence force.
Shepparton RSL general manager Grant Tarrant said this was where the veterans’ centre could help.
“We’re here to assist them through that gap in the middle,” Mr Tarrant said.
“The money we received from the Copulos Foundation will help us do that.”
The money is also used for older veterans with things such as purchasing mobility aids, or tasks like hiring someone to mow their lawn, or cut their hair.
Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation chair Peter Copulos with Shepparton RSL sub-branch president Bob Wilkie outside the Shepparton RSL sub-branch veterans’ centre.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
It is also used to help them just get out of the house and socialise.
Pater and Maria Colulos Foundation chairman Peter Copulos said he was pleased to be able to donate the money to help veterans.
“I’m very passionate about the veterans,” he said.
He spoke of how he came to Australia from Greek Macedonia when he was only eight years old.
Mr Copulos said his home country had been badly affected by war since early in the 20th century — including the Greek takeover after World War I, and the invasion by Bulgaria, Italy and Germany in World War II, followed by the Greek Civil War.
“Our village was caught up in all this and I witnessed first-hand the damage that war does to people in war-torn countries,” he said.
“Some of my family members were resistance fighters during this time, and we had enemy soldiers in our village and even our house for a while.”
Mr Copulos said after coming to Australia he had admired the RSL and what it did to support veterans and their families.
Mr Copulos praised the RSL and the new veterans’ centre in Shepparton, which helps 500 veterans.
“The new veterans’ centre is a first-class venue, and I can see the difference it will make to our veterans who need assistance and support after their experience of war,” he said.
“My family is very proud to support the RSL by …. donating to their ongoing fundraising campaigns every year.
“Thank you for your dedication and hard work, providing this vitally important service to our community.”
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