Young veterans meet again

AN EMERGING group on the Bellarine Peninsula is creating opportunities for young veterans to stay connected in the community.

Created under the Ocean Grove/Barwon Heads RSL club, the Bellarine Young Veterans group was formed as a way to ensure those who served post-Vietnam have a place to connect, people to speak to and an outlet for fun.

Coordinator and young veteran Alison Sloane came on board just before the COVID-19 pandemic reached Australia.

“It was a bit hard during COVID,” she said.

“Things slowed down during the pandemic, but now we are trying to ramp things back up.

“We organise events and get togethers for young veterans so they have ways to stay connected with people with a common military background and get to meet new people.”

The Bellarine-based group belong to the nationwide Young Veterans organisation developed in 2012 with the aim of enriching the lives of Australian veterans by connecting them with their communities through active and social events.

In a statement on their website they say, “Young Veterans was born from a necessity of support that wasn’t available.”

“This support is one that inspires veterans to think outside the box of what is possible, re-engage with civilian society and participate in positive events that challenge and rehabilitate.”

With one of the first official events since the pandemic scheduled for Friday, April 23, Ms Sloane said she was looking forward to welcoming the ex-servicemen and women to the informal gathering at the Queenscliff RSL Club.

“I think these events are really important because it is common for people who leave the military to experience a bit of detachment,” she said.

“These events help them stay connected with one another after service and raise some awareness to what is happening in the community.”

The Friday event will take place from 6pm and will include food and access to a pool table with a focus on reconnecting in a post COVID-19 environment.

“It is a catch up ahead of ANZAC Day and it will give everyone the chance to get together and have a chat,” she said.

On a monthly basis the group also attends a coffee catch up on the last Friday of each month, meeting at Beaches Café in Queenscliff at 10am.

“Anyone who has served post-Vietnam can come along,” she said.

To get involved you can join the Bellarine Young Veterans group on Facebook or email Ms Sloane at [email protected].