Veterans’ hub location confirmed for Tweed Heads

A NEW Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Tweed Heads will provide support services to more than 20,000 veterans and their families in the region.

The hub will be established at 145 Wharf Street in Tweed Heads, with a temporary facility to open soon ahead of a permanent site in 2026.

The $5 million project, funded by the Federal Government, is a 2022 election commitment from Richmond Labor MP Justine Elliot and

will be delivered in partnership with RSL Lifecare Veteran Services and RSL NSW.

“We have a large ex-service population in the region with more than 20,000 veterans and families, including many older veterans and war widows,” Ms Elliot said.

“Having tailored veteran support and services accessible locally is so important to improving the health, wellbeing, and economic outcomes of those who bravely served our nation.

“The Albanese Labor Government is investing more than $5 million to deliver a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub here in the Tweed, working in close partnership with RSL Lifecare Veteran Services and RSL NSW.”

Dr John Griffin, president of the Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL Sub-Branch, said the hub would be a welcome addition to local services.

“It’s great credit to RSL Lifecare for establishing these hubs across the state, and especially for bringing one here to Tweed,” Dr Griffin said.

“We’ve got a large veteran community, and this will be a huge help to veterans and their families – and also to our sub-branch.

“We’ve got a team of volunteers doing great work, and it will make a big difference to have expert staff from RSL Lifecare here to support us.”

Dr Griffin said the sub-branch had more than 500 veterans currently on its books for pension and advocacy support.

“Our pension and advocacy team works with veterans from all over Australia – and even overseas – many of whom aren’t RSL members,” he said.

“It’s a massive workload, and having this hub locally will provide essential backup and improve access to services.”

He said the hub would also help younger veterans connect with support services.

“Most of our members are older – I’d say 80 per cent are over 85 – and we’re one of the larger sub-branches in the country.”

“But we also know there are many younger veterans out there who aren’t engaged with us, and RSL Lifecare is in a great position to connect with them.”