Organisation to lead the Burnie Veterans’ and Families’ Hub announced

Support for the veteran community in North West Tasmania will soon be improved, with the Australian Government today announcing local veterans’ welfare group, the North West Tasmania Veteran Welfare Board, as the lead organisation to establish the new Burnie Veterans’ and Families’ Hub.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said the new Hub will strengthen and expand support services to veterans and families in the North West of Tasmania.

“I am pleased to announce the business case put forward by the North West Tasmania Veteran Welfare Board has been successful, they will lead the development of the next Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Burnie,” Minister Keogh said.

“The North West Tasmania Veteran Welfare Board is already delivering localised support as well as social and community building activities. The establishment of the new Hub will expand support that veterans and families will benefit from for years to come.

“All veterans, current serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and families will be able to access a range of support services from the Hub, including for mental and physical health, advocacy, wellbeing support, employment and housing advice, as well as social connectedness.

“Burnie is the second region in Tasmania to receive funding through the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs program, with RSL Launceston already benefiting from the program.” 

This is in addition to the $5 million for the development of the broader “Tasmania Hub”, with both Burnie and Launceston forming spokes in the “hub and spoke” model, as well as providing their own outreach services, supporting veterans across the state. This is in line with the findings of a feasibility study conducted in 2020.”

The October 2022-23 Budget provided funding for eight new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs and the continued development of hubs in Southeast Queensland and Tasmania.

“The Australian Government has announced a further $46.7 million in funding to develop more Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country to support a better future for the veteran community,” Minister Keogh said.

“The additional hubs will more than double the size of the network, and will help the more than 581,000 people who are currently serving or who have served in the Australian Defence Force, and their families, receive the support they need, where they need it.”

For more information visit the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs website.

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides 24/7 free confidential crisis support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families on 1800 011 046 or the Open Arms website. Safe Zone Support provides anonymous counselling on 1800 142 072. Defence All-Hours Support Line provides support for ADF personnel on 1800 628 036 or the Defence Health Portal. Defence Member and Family Helpline provides support for Defence families on 1800 624 608