RSL LifeCare announces plans for new Veteran Wellbeing Centre in Dee Why

RSL LifeCare is set to extend its crucial service delivery for local veterans and their families with the opening of a Veteran Wellbeing Centre in Dee Why.

This centre has been made possible thanks to a partnership with Dee Why RSL, which has committed $1 million over the next four years to house and assist with the ongoing operating costs of the centre, as well as ongoing financial support from local RSL NSW sub-Branches. A presentation to mark the occasion was attended by RSL LifeCare CEO, Janet Muir, RSL NSW President, Ray James, and RSL NSW Northern Beaches District Council President, Bob Lunnon, Dee Why RSL President, Graeme Liddell, and Dee Why RSL CEO, Grant Easterby.

The new Northern Beaches Veteran Wellbeing Centre, which will join RSL LifeCare’s three established hubs in Nowra, Wagga Wagga, and Newcastle, will continue to provide financial assistance, homelessness support, DVA Claims assistance, employment pathways, and further education and training opportunities for veterans and their families who reside in the Northern Beaches region.

RSL LifeCare Chief Executive Officer, Janet Muir, said the Northern Beaches Veteran Wellbeing Centre is an extension of the ‘hub and spoke’ model being implemented across New South Wales that will ensure veterans can access a range of critical services that are tailored to the needs of the local communities, wherever they choose to settle.

“RSL LifeCare is always excited to announce another Veteran Wellbeing Centre, because we know the positive impact the facilities have on the mental and physical health and wellbeing of our Australian Defence Force personnel who have given so much to protect our country,” Ms Muir said.

“Together with RSL NSW, we are very happy to have established this partnership with Dee Why RSL, because with a large number of veterans in the area, this is a great step forward to provide the localised assistance that those veterans and their families need.”

“This important step forward is representative of our ongoing commitment to supporting veterans and their families across the state.”

RSL LifeCare recently welcomed the opportunity provided by the Australian Government to submit a business case to deliver three new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs in the Hunter, Tweed-North Coast and Queanbeyan regions of New South Wales. In partnership with RSL NSW, RSL LifeCare is a step closer to improving access to much-needed services in these communities for veterans and their families following the success of their stage one grant applications.

Dee Why RSL President, Graeme Liddell, said he was proud to be partnering with RSL LifeCare and RSL NSW for this important initiative.

“We know there is a need for these services in the local community, and every year on ANZAC Day we see the passion of local families for supporting veterans when they come out in the thousands for our Dawn Service at Dee Why Beach.”

“This partnership and this veteran wellbeing centre reinforce our commitment to support veterans and their families across the Northern Beaches,” Mr Liddell said.

RSL NSW President, Ray James, said, “RSL NSW is committed to supporting RSL LifeCare’s veteran focused centres and hubs because we know they work.”

“Since 2021, RSL NSW sub-Branches have donated over $5.2 million to RSL LifeCare to support the ongoing delivery of critical services to veterans and their families right across NSW.”

RSL LifeCare Veteran Services support in Northern Beaches – FY 22-23

• Provided $58,926 in financial assistance.
• Assisted 28 veterans experiencing homelessness.
• Helped 49 veterans to lodge 302 DVA claims.
• Advocated for 6 clients at VRB hearings or dispute resolution.
• Facilitated 8 veterans or partners receiving employment assistance or further education and training opportunities.