Greater Western Sydney veterans to benefit from unique hub

The veteran community in Sydney’s west is on track to receive additional supports, as the Australian Government moves one step closer to delivering a unique Veterans’ and Families’ Hub network, spanning across the Hawkesbury and down to South Western Sydney.

RSL LifeCare Veteran Services in partnership with RSL NSW will be funded to develop a business case setting out how the Hub network would be established and managed across Sydney’s west.

The business case will outline the proposal for a ‘hub and spoke’ network stretching from the Hawkesbury Region in the North West, across to Ingleburn in the South West, providing flexible and innovative care solutions for as many veterans and their families in Sydney’s west as possible. 

Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs provide access to important veteran services, which may include mental and physical health services, wellbeing support, advocacy, employment and housing advice, and social connection. Services within each Hub are tailored to local community needs. 

RSL LifeCare Veteran Services currently operate a Hub in Nowra that was funded under the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs program. They also run self-funded Hubs in Wagga Wagga, Dee Why and Newcastle. 

For more information about Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs, visit www.dva.gov.au/vfhubs

Quotes attributed to Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh:

“We’re developing Veterans’ and Families Hubs across the country to suit the needs of the local veteran community. There is a significant spread of veterans reaching from Richmond in the Hawkesbury region, south to Ingleburn, near Bardia Barracks. 

“This significant distribution of veterans will be reflected in the unique set up of the Hub network, with a Hub and spoke model developed to make sure that services are accessible and available to support veterans close to home.”

Quotes attributed to Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman:

“The Hawkesbury has a proud legacy of being home to defence force personal during and after their service for over 100 years. Veterans, serving personnel and their families deserve services close to home that cater to their unique needs. 

“The services at the Hawkesbury Hub will be tailored to the specific needs of local service personnel, veterans, and their families so we can remove barriers that could prevent them accessing care.  

“This is delivering on my commitment to establish a veteran’s hub in the Hawkesbury, to ensure that veterans and their families make full use of the services available to them.”

Quotes attributed to Member for Werriwa, Anne Stanley:

“Supporting our Veterans is more than thanking them for their service. It is about providing practical and informed supports.  

“This Hub will provide this for the veterans, so many of whom I have had the privilege to meet.”