Veteran Wellbeing Centre for Wagga Wagga
RSL NSW and its partner charity RSL LifeCare are establishing a Veteran Wellbeing Centre in Wagga Wagga for Riverina-based veterans and their families.
RSL NSW and RSL LifeCare have requested Australian Government assistance with the establishment and operation of a permanent facility, and RSL LifeCare will identify fit-for-purpose temporary premises to expedite delivery of social services and support to veterans and their families.
RSL LifeCare Board Chair Mark Dickson said he anticipates the wellbeing centre will be operational by October this year.
Modelled on the federally funded Veteran Wellbeing Centres such as the recently opened facility in Nowra, the Wagga Wagga centre will deliver a range of support services, including physical and mental health, advocacy, education, employment, housing and financial assistance.
“The local veteran community asked for these services,” said RSL NSW CEO Jon Black. “The Wagga Wagga sub-Branch stepped up to engage with and listen to its veteran community, not just members, and sought the support of ANZAC House to respond to the community’s needs. We’re pleased to have the capacity and resources to dedicate to delivering this project to support Riverina veterans and their families.”
This second veteran wellbeing centre for NSW demonstrates what more than 340 RSL NSW sub-Branches can achieve together.
It is one of several recent developments against the RSL NSW Strategic Plan, including progress towards the establishment of a national database of support services, endorsed for use by the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The small ANZAC House team has established a Program Office as detailed in the Strategic Plan, which will oversee and coordinate the concurrent implementation of multiple strategic initiatives.
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
