Tour de V Centre raises veteran homelessness awareness

THE inaugural Tour de V Centre has rolled to a stop, with the four-day cycling event across regional Victoria to raise awareness of the urgent issue of veteran homelessness passing through Geelong on Wednesday last week.

Australian veterans are almost three times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population and face alarmingly higher rates of suicide.

Organised by Vasey RSL Care, the ride travelled from Warrnambool to Box Hill, passing through Ararat, Ballarat and Geelong, aiming to engage with communities about the services available for vulnerable veterans.

The Tour officially launched on October 12 at South West TAFE in Warrnambool, bringing together riders, support crew and the local community.

Riders departed Warrnambool on Monday last week, arriving in Ararat after covering more than 150km.

Day two saw the group travel just under 130km from Ararat to Ballarat, marking the halfway point of the ride.

On Wednesday morning, riders rolled out of a brisk Ballarat and made their way to Geelong, enjoying clear skies and sunshine.

“The Geelong community always welcomes us with such hospitality,” Vasey RSL Care executive general manager for veteran services Chris Gray said.

The Tour de V Centre congregation attended an event dinner with locals at the Geelong RSL on Wednesday night, featuring guest speakers Wadawurrung woman Corrina Eccles, Paul West of the Mark West Foundation, and Geelong Cats legend Mathew Stokes.

“This ride is so much more than people getting on bikes,” veteran Adam Kent said.

“It’s about bringing communities together, raising awareness of veteran homelessness, and remembering that connected communities save lives.”