RSL LifeCare receives funding for veterans’ hubs
The new facilities will provide a corridor of support for local servicemen and women.
New South Wales aged care provider RSL LifeCare has received a grant of almost $5.5 million to develop a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub network, connecting the Hawkesbury region to South Western Sydney.
The federal government-funded initiative will establish a passageway of support bookended by two hubs in the two regions to ensure 19,200 local veterans in the area can access services closer to home.
“We are thrilled to be able to fulfill our vision of creating a corridor between the Hawkesbury and South Western Sydney that will deliver a comprehensive and efficient support network for veterans and their families,” said RSL LifeCare chief executive officer Janet Muir.
The new facilities – which will be primary care centres – are to be developed in consultation with the local communities and ex-service organisations through the network of RSL sub-branches.
“We thank RSL NSW and sub-branches for their ongoing partnership, which helps us collectively bring significant and valuable resources to the delivery of these hubs,” said Ms Muir.
Last Year, RSL NSW sub-branches donated $3.3 million to RSL LifeCare. Its president – Mick Bainbridge – said: “RSL NSW is committed to supporting RSL LifeCare’s Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs, because we know they work.”
He added: “The expansion of hubs in locations with significant defence and veterans’ communities is a strong step in the right direction to bolstering the support we deliver to Australian servicemen and women, and their families.”
Funded by a $5.445 million grant, the new hubs are part of a $46.7 million commitment by the government to develop 10 Veterans’ and Families’ hubs across the country.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said: “We’re working to make sure each hub around the country is easily accessible and available to local veterans, to support them and their families close to home.”
RSL LifeCare veteran services executive general manager David Anderson said the government grant supported the organisation’s goal to establish care centres across NSW and the Australian Capital Territory.
“Thanks to the generous funding from the government, we can provide support to even more veterans across two of NSW’s major regions. This unique approach to providing one-stop shops for vulnerable members of our community is a big step toward giving veterans the support they need and deserve.”
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