Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2008/RAN Relief Trust Fund – an update
By CPOWTR Dennis Bentley, RANRTF Operations Manager
The RAN Relief Trust Fund lends money to members of the Navy. ‘The Emergency Distress Fund’ as it was first known began in 1913 and grew through the World Wars.
After WW II, the Government was faced with the fact the each of the three Services was in possession of money from other than Government sources most of which had been given by organisations and citizens to provide benefits for personnel who had served during the war.
In 1947, Trust Funds for the three Services were authorised by the Services Trust Fund Act, 1947 and the RANRTF still operates under this Act today.
Trustees The RANRTF is controlled by a Board of Trustees, appointed by the Minister, which currently consists of:
- CDRE Clint Thomas (Director General Supply Chain, JLC);
- CAPT Nick Youseman (Director Joint Capability, HQJOC); and, from Systems Command,
- CAPT Mark Hill (Chief Staff Officer (Operations));
- CMDR Nick Mathews (Command Supply Officer); and
- WO Peter Kenworthy (Command Warrant Officer).
The RANRTF is administered on a day-to day basis by me and our admin assistant, Ms Shona Steele.
Recent Changes include:
- Increases to most loan products amounts from Jul 1, 08 (See attached Table)
- Introduction of a new trainee family support services (FSS) loan of up to $1500
- Renaming housing and furniture loan to general purpose loan
- Improvements to loan application and management service (LAMS)
- Reinvigoration of the RANRTF intranet website
| PRODUCT | AMOUNT | REPAYMENT RATE (P/F) | ADMIN FEE |
| General purpose loan (for qualified personnel) | $4000.00 | $155.00 | $25.00 |
| General purpose loan $2500 or less (for qualified personnel) | $2500.00 | $100.00 | $25.00 |
| Trainee general purpose loan (for members under initial entry training) | $1500.00 | $60.00 | $25.00 |
| Home management services (HMS) grant | $2000.00 | grant | n/a |
| Home management services - travel assistance (HMS-TA) grant | $2000.00 | grant | n/a |
| Trainee home management services (HMS) grant | $750.00 | grant | n/a |
| Trainee home management services travel assistance (HMS-TA) grant | $750.00 | grant | |
| Family support services (FSS) loan | $3000.00 | $120.00 | |
| Trainee family support services (FSS) loan | $1500.00 | $60.00 | |
| Special loan | $3000.00 | $115.40 |
2008 XMAS special loan
Because of the outstanding success and uptake of the 2007 XMAS special loan, the trustees have decided to offer it again for 2008. A signal will be released as this edition of SeaTalk goes to press with the details of this years offer.
Trust Fund facts
The RANRTF:
- Currently receives the majority of its funding from the Royal Australian Navy Central Canteen Board (RANCCB).
- Does not receive any Government funding.
- Meets all running costs from internal funds.
- Does employ a civilian debt collection agency to recover funds from discharged members.
- Is continuously seeking ways to be relevant and responsive to the needs of Navy people.
Comments from serving Navy people indicate that many now consider the RANRTF and its loan products to be a condition of service - an excellent outcome for the RANRTF.
We hope to be able to assist in the retention of our people - A Life Ring in Times of Need.
Further information
Applications for all RTF Loans with the exception of the HMS/HMS-TA Grants should be made online through the RTF Loan Application and Management Service (LAMS) Website located on the DRN at http://navy.defence.gov.au/LAMS/. The RTF office can accept manual applications from ships at sea when communications capabilities are limited. All applications for a HMS/HMS-TA grant are to be made through the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) offices.
More information: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/sites/RANRTF or your local RTF officer or writer onboard your ship/establishment. Contact numbers are on the website.
