The Geelong RSL club will form the hub for veterans’ and families’ services in the Geelong and Surf Coast regions. Photo: Geelong RSL Facebook.
Support for veterans and their families in Victoria’s Surf Coast and Geelong regions will soon be enhanced following a $5.445 million grant by the Federal Government to RSL Victoria to establish a new Veterans’ and Families’ Hub with satellite services across the region.
There are about 6600 veterans in the Geelong and Surf Coast region, and this grant will make it possible for them to access support services closer to home.
The hub will be centrally located in Geelong and will have major satellite sites at the Torquay and Queenscliff RSLs. Surf Coast Shire facilities will also be available to host social and recreational programs for veterans.
The grant is part of the Federal Government’s $46.7m commitment to deliver 10 Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country.
Labor’s commitment builds upon the previous Coalition government’s pledge to establish hubs in Perth, Townsville, Adelaide, Wodonga, Nowra and Darwin in partnership with ex-service organisations and state and territory governments.
In addition, an October 2022 commitment was made to add hubs in the NSW Hawkesbury, Hunter and Tweed/North Coast regions; in Queanbeyan; at Ipswich in Queensland; in Northern Adelaide in South Australia; in Southwest Perth in Western Australia; and the Surf Coast/Geelong Hub.
Member for Corio, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the government was committed to supporting veterans and their families.
“This is an important next step for the Geelong veteran community,” he said. “These services and their delivery will make a vital contribution in Geelong and across the region.”
Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite said the Surf Coast and Geelong Hub would build on RSL Victoria’s experience leading the existing Geelong RSL Hub and the Tim Fischer AC Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Wodonga.
“This hub will ensure easier access to more services in a veteran- and family-friendly environment in the Surf Coast and Geelong region,” he said.
“Each veteran community around the country is different so it’s essential we’re developing hubs that provide targeted support, not taking a cookie-cutter approach. This hub-and-spoke-style hub will assist veterans to easily access the supports they need.”
Member for Corangamite Libby Coker added: “The establishment of the Surf Coast and Geelong Hub is significant for our veterans’ community in the Surf Coast, Bellarine and Geelong.
“It will offer support to over 6600 current and former ADF personnel and their families right across my electorate.
“From Geelong to Torquay, and throughout the Bellarine, this new hub will provide widespread outreach to ensure veterans and their families receive the targeted support they deserve.
“I’d like to thank all of our veterans, their families and local RSLs for their involvement throughout the consultation process – this is an amazing outcome.”
