Supporting veterans in Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads

THE OCEAN Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub-Branch is supporting veterans and their dependents and families in both towns.

Welfare home visits – with an average of 40 visits per month – are funded directly by benevolence funding supporting the needs of veterans and family members.

The branch operates a once month “drop in” for welfare or compensation advocacy services in the Ocean Grove Bowls Club for veterans, and also directly fund home and garden maintenance for older veterans in need of support.

Wellbeing activities for veterans of all ages and their families is led by the Rotary Club of Ocean Grove and supported by local businesses. An Anzac food hamper is delivered to veterans in need.

The Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL Sub-Branch conduct regular social activities as the Bellarine Veterans Group (BVG).

The BVG have conducted a selection of successful activities over the last quarter, providing good opportunities for veterans and their dependents of all ages to socialise in a relaxed and informal setting.

It has also been fortunate to gain some new participants who have appreciated the opportunities to meet and mingle with other veterans.

The club has developed a program of weekend activities to provide opportunities for working veterans to participate.

In July, it began scheduling weekend walks along sections of the magnificent regional coastline, followed by either morning tea or a barbecue. These coastal walks have proven to be very popular with attendances of more than 20 people on each activity.

Other activities conducted in the past three months include Mini Golf and barbecue at Bellarine Adventure Golf, other coastal walks from Point Lonsdale and Ocean Grove, barefoot bowls at the Ocean Grove Bowling Club and DVA supported Veterans Advocate interactions.

Every Friday morning, the sub-branch hosts a “mornos'”at the Salty Breeze Café in Queenscliff from 10am for veterans to meet morning tea (funded by the sub-branch). For those interested in attending, email [email protected] or the Bellarine Veterans Group on Facebook.

Remembrance Day services in 2025 will be held at the Barwon Heads Memorial Hall and the Ocean Grove Park, both starting at 10.50am.

Monthly committee meetings and Sub Branch members meetings are held at the Ocean Grove Bowling Club each month. For those interested in joining, email [email protected]