Members of the Ingleburn RSL sub-branch came out in force this morning when veterans’ affairs minister Matt Keogh arrived bearing good news for veterans in South Western Sydney.
Mr Keogh noted the large attendance, putting it down to support for funding to establish a unique veterans and families hub network that will connect the Hawkesbury to South Western Sydney.
Each area will receive funding for a hub that will be the place veterans will go for any kind of support and assistance.
The minister was welcomed to Ingleburn RSL by his colleague, Anne Stanley, the Member for Werriwa. State MP Nathan Hagarty also attended the announcement.
“Our veterans deserve more than thanks, they deserve practical support, and this hub will deliver that,’’ Ms Stanley said.
“I am so pleased the Albanese Government is recognising and supporting our veterans.
“The new hub will help support the 11,500 current and former personnel and families in South Western Sydney.”
RSL LifeCare Veteran Services, in partnership with RSL NSW, will receive a $5.445 million grant to lead the new hub network that will support the 19,200 veterans and families who live in the two regions.
RSL LifeCare, whose CEO Dave Anderson attended this morning’s announcement, will establish a corridor of support, bookended by two major hubs to ensure that local veterans can access services close to home, wherever they live.
“We’re developing veterans and families hubs across the country to suit the needs of the local veteran community,’’ minister 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.
“It’s fantastic to see so many organisations join with RSL LifeCare – including Legacy, Invictus, the Defence and Veterans Legal Service, Disaster Relief Australia, Veteran Gaming Australia and many others, come together to provide the best possible services and supports to local veterans,’’ Mr Keogh said.
For more information about veterans’ and families’ hubs, visit: www.dva.gov.au/vfhubs
