21st Century Security
Australia News Releases
SYDNEY, 6 November 2025 – Lockheed Martin Australia has renewed its partnership with the Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group, signing a four-year sponsorship agreement from 2025 to 2028 to support the delivery of mental health and well-being programs for the veteran community in the Shoalhaven.
Under the new agreement, Lockheed Martin Australia will provide $55,000 in funding over four years to help sustain vital social inclusion, health, and fitness activities that support veterans’ well-being.
“The foundational three-year sponsorship from Lockheed Martin Australia had an enormous impact on our ability to deliver programs and proved extremely beneficial to our veteran community,” said Rick Meehan, Chairman, Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group.
“The Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group runs a broad range of initiatives to support the wellbeing and connection of veterans in the Shoalhaven, including Walk to Talk, Veterans’ Health Week, Digger Day, Vitamins for Veterans, commemorative services, and newer initiatives such as our Martial Arts and Music Programs. We also host Veterans Corner gatherings, park clean-ups, Military Funeral Tributes, and the Veteran Oral History Program, ensuring veterans’ stories are preserved and celebrated.
“We welcome this further commitment from Lockheed Martin Australia, which will be vital to sustaining our existing programs and expanding support to meet the growing health and wellbeing needs of veterans in the Shoalhaven over the next four years.
“As an ex-service organisation, we are entirely volunteer run, so every dollar goes directly towards programs that help veterans manage PTSD and reduce social isolation.”
Warren McDonald, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, said, “Our renewed partnership with the Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group underscores Lockheed Martin Australia’s commitment to supporting those who have served.
“We recognise the vital contribution veterans make to our communities and workforce, and we’re proud to help strengthen the programs that support their ongoing wellbeing.
“This continued partnership reflects our broader mission to invest in initiatives that build resilience and connection across the communities where we live and work.”
Lockheed Martin Australia’s foundational sponsorship from 2003 to 2005 enabled the Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group to:
- More than double the number of community veteran programs offered, growing from six to 14 programs.
- Engage more than 160 veterans each week through regular community-based programs that promote connection, fitness, and wellbeing.
- Attract more than 985 veterans annually to major events such as the Digger Day celebration and other commemorative gatherings. These events also draw strong participation from the wider Shoalhaven community, with more than 2,000 visitors attending the Digger Day event alone.
About Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group
Commenced in 2018, the Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group is a fully formed Association and Ex-Service Organisation and a registered charity under the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission.
Based in Nowra NSW, the home of two Naval bases, HMAS Creswell and HMAS Albatross, which also incorporates the Australian Defence Force Parachuting School. The Group’s membership has rapidly grown in the short time since establishment. The Group’s youngest members are in the early forty age bracket with the eldest member aged ninety-two. Members come from all three services with an extensive amount of military experience.
About Lockheed Martin Australia
Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 1,800 people in Australia working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, Defence and civil sectors.
Media Contacts:
Rick Meehan OAM, Chairman, Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group; +61 428 443 361
Stacey Ward, +61 439 369 305; stacey.l.ward@global.lmco.com