Labor pledges $5 million veterans hub for Torquay

A $5 MILLION Veteran Wellbeing Centre has been promised for the Surf Coast and Geelong region should Labor win government at the upcoming federal election.

Proposed as a one-stop shop for veterans and their families to access a range of services such as transition, wellbeing support, advocacy, employment and housing assistance and social connection, the preferred location according to Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker is at the Torquay Bowls Club.

“Situated between parklands, the beach and the ocean… there is a great social environment where veterans can connect into a community. There’s an existing RSL Club in the area, one of Victoria’s most thriving bowling and social clubs, and room for expansion on the site.”

Announcing the plan alongside Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel Shayne Neumann today (Wednesday, April 20) at the club, Ms Coker said the centre would require an upgrade to the existing building where rooms are sub-let to the Torquay RSL Sub-Branch.

Construction of a second story on the existing site would be the most likely outcome if the project was to go ahead.

“I can see an opportunity to build more service facilities, where veterans could join in on some bowling, go sit on the beach, go for a swim, or just have a beer looking over the ocean. That’s what I would call a therapeutic environment,” Ms Coker said.

Although it would be co-located alongside the bowls and RSL clubs, Mr Neumann said the veterans hub would operate independently of the existing site tenants.

“The centre will be a family-friendly space and provide peer-to-peer support for veterans and their families, bringing together critical services under one roof.

“We want to see a facility run by veterans, for veterans, that’s inclusive and easily accessible for all ex-servicemen and women in the community,” Mr Neumann said.

While Torquay is the preferred site, both Ms Coker and Mr Neumann acknowledge other veterans organisations like Geelong’s RSL Sub-Branch may apply to host the hub, and the plan is still subject to a consultation process with other stakeholders such as the state RSL executive.

Ms Coker said a new centre would be a much-needed addition to the region.

“Corangamite has one of the highest number of veterans in the state, with around 2,000 veterans and family members, while there are around 3,500 veterans and family members in the Greater Geelong region. We must do better to support them.”