RSL LifeCare has received $1.7 million in funding from the Federal Government’s
Veteran Wellbeing Grants One-Off Program to establish a veteran and family hub-like experience on
the Central Coast region – home to an estimated 7,993 veterans.
The significant grant will be put towards leasing and fitting out a purpose-built property in the Wyong area and is expected to be open by July next year.
The facility will go a long way in expanding veteran support network in the Central Coast region, as well as enabling RSL LifeCare, with support from RSL NSW, to deliver dedicated services required by veterans and their families.
“The Veteran Wellbeing Grants One-Off Program highlights the Albanese Government’s continued commitment to veterans and their families,” Head of RSL LifeCare Veteran Wellbeing Centres James Dallas said.
“This investment will enable RSL LifeCare to expand our network of Veteran Wellbeing Centres, addressing the specific needs of veterans and their families on the Central Coast.”
The Veteran Wellbeing Grants One-Off Program was established to complement and build on the Government’s existing Veterans’ and Families’ Hub program.
Through the grants, the Government provided almost $17 million in funding towards 21 projects that can be swiftly implemented to address the immediate needs of veterans and their families in critical areas.
“The Central Coast is home to a significant veteran community, and this grant will improve access to services and supports, close to home,” Federal MP for Dobell Emma McBride said.
“RSL LifeCare has been delivering for our veterans’ community for years, and I’m proud that the Albanese Labor Government is supporting their work here.”
Minister for Veterans Affairs Matt Keogh said the program supported larger projects that could be implemented quickly to deliver the services that veterans and families needed in area they needed it most.
“The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has made it clear there is no time to waste in improving services and supports to the veteran community,” he said.
He said the program demonstrated the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to providing support to established and innovative ex-service organisations and veteran service providers in the communities’ veterans live, to deliver a better future for veterans and families.
Organisations like RSL LifeCare were invited to apply for funding for projects based on factors such as the nature and maturity of the project, the project’s ability to provide support to areas with significant Defence and veteran populations, local needs and the availability or access to existing services.
RSL LifeCare has served Australia for over 110 years with its origins at Bare Island at Botany Bay in 1911 and has been caring for Australia’s war veterans and seniors ever since.
Presently, the organisation has over 3,500 team members providing care and services to over 13,000 community members with a purpose to enrich the lives of veterans and seniors.
A leader in senior living, RSL LifeCare provides high quality personal home care, retirement living villages, and residential aged care homes in over 60 sites throughout NSW and the ACT, providing a holistic and veteran-centric set of services aimed at supporting the wellbeing of veterans and their families.