Funding boost revamps Geelong veteran units

THE Geelong arm of a statewide accommodation and services provider for veterans has secured funding from the Victorian Government to revamp five of its ex-service accommodation units in Bell Park.

Prioritising those with the greatest need, Vasey RSL Care provides the units at rental fees substantially lower than comparable private rentals in the same area, offering veterans of all ages safe accommodation and access to the services they need to rebuild their lives.

For resident Garry Canning, who served in the navy for 13 years and moved into one of Vasey RSL Care’s Geelong units in January, the upgrades could not have come at a better time and have allowed him to feel truly at home in the renewed space.

His unit has received a fresh coat of paint, repairs to the roof and plumbing improvements, including a new vanity and storage cupboard in the bathroom.

“They’re making the place really comfortable and homely,” he said. “Everything works, even to the point they’ve changed the valves on the taps for me because I have pretty bad arthritis in my hands, and I was having trouble.

“I’m certainly very appreciative. When I first moved in, I thought ‘I wonder how long I’ll stay here’ and ‘Will I be happy?’

“But I think I’ll be here a long time now and very happy. It’s a great community, the people are all very friendly and, I guess, because we have, as a collective, so much in common…there’s a lot of common ground there.”

For the eight years preceding his move, Mr Canning – who made the shift from Melbourne – had been living in his childhood home, providing full-time care to his ageing mother.

When she died, the costs associated with maintaining the home quickly became too significant and when the property sold, Mr Canning found himself in urgent need of new accommodation, fearing he may be forced to sleep in his car or couch surf with family – a prospect he was concerned would take him too far away from the healthcare services he needs to help with an existing heart condition.

He said the support from Vasey RSL Care, which prioritised finding him a unit when it became clear he was at risk of homelessness, meant “everything”.

“I don’t know what I would have done without it,” Mr Canning said. “I put a lot of trust in them.

“I can’t afford to rent anywhere in Melbourne – it’s just ridiculous. Not even just Melbourne, even around here, I couldn’t afford the normal rents. I just don’t have that much income.

“I’m just so appreciative; the accommodation is great. The Vasey RSL Care team are amazing. They really care about the residents and the residents’ wellbeing.

“Health and safety is clearly paramount with them.”