Building begins on Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre

Construction has begun on a new state-of-the-art facility to permanently house the Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre, providing an expanded range of health and wellbeing services for local veterans, current serving Australian Defence Force members and their families.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee visited the site at 124 Wallace Street today to officially launch the building works alongside Senator Jim Molan, RSL NSW President Ray James and RSL LifeCare Board Member and navy veteran Trevor Robertson.

“This is a momentous day for the Defence and veteran community here in Nowra and the surrounding region,” Minister Gee said.

“RSL LifeCare, with the support of RSL NSW, has been doing a great job running the Nowra Wellbeing Centre out of their temporary premises and has already made a real difference in the lives of current ADF members, ex-service personnel, and their families.”

“This new, permanent home will take those services to the next level. It will be a place of healing and connection, and a hub for accessing health, education and employment support.”

RSL NSW President Ray James said the League has observed an increased need for support services this year and he expects this continue with the pressure of COVID-19 restrictions, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and the ADF’s withdrawal from the conflict in Afghanistan last year.

“I take this opportunity to reassure veterans and their families across the Shoalhaven that local support and services are available to them at the Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre.”

The Centre is part of the Australian Government’s $43.2 million investment in a network of Wellbeing Centres across the country providing local services to support veterans, defence personnel and their families wherever they live.

The Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre currently delivers services out of its temporary office location at 1/19 Nowra Lane. Construction of the Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre is expected to be finalised by mid-2022.

Veteran Wellbeing Centres are a joint strategic initiative of RSL NSW and our charity partner, RSL LifeCare. Find out more in the RSL NSW Strategic Plan 2021-26 or read about the recent establishment of the Wagga Wagga Veteran Wellbeing Centre.