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Geelong RSL president Andrew Hanns said his Sub Branch had also expressed interest in hosting the Hub, and envisaged it would be an extension of the existing veterans support facilities that presently operate at the League’s Belmont home.<\/p>\n
Mr Hanns said he understood the Bellarine’s RSL Sub Branch was interested in the proposal as well, but all were awaiting further news from the DVA, which hosted a two-hour online information session yesterday (Thursday, November 24) that was open to ex-service organisations, community organisations and other parties interest in leading the Hub.<\/p>\n
Mr Hanns said he welcomed the government’s planned expansion of support services for veterans, but questions remained about their ongoing viability.<\/p>\n
“Torquay, Geelong, the Bellarine\u2026 at the end of the day, it would be good to have a $5 million building, but you have to have operating costs as well.”<\/p>\n
He said the government and department were yet to make clear how the Hub’s operating costs will be covered after they were established.<\/p>\n
“You’re looking at half a million a year to run\u2026 someone is going to have to operate it, at least if they put a 10-year funding model in place that would help, otherwise it comes back on someone like the RSL Victoria to fund it,” he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has started the process of determining where it will build a $5 million Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in either greater Geelong or the Surf Coast, and what organisation will run it. The centre is to be a one-stop shop for veterans and their families to access a range of […]<\/p>\n