Darwin Veterans’ and Families’ Hub opens
The Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs network has expanded with Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh officially opening the Mates4Mates Veteran and Family Wellbeing Centre in Darwin.
This is the second location to be opened by Mates4Mates in the Northern Territory under the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs program, with support being provided from its Palmerston site since May 2021. Services will now be provided at both Palmerston and Stuart Park, helping veterans and families across the Top End to access essential services from two locations.
Minister Keogh was provided with a tour of the new hub, which includes mental health and physical recovery clinical services, a gym, a veterans’ lounge, as well as space for Mates4Mates social connection activities, including a BBQ area.
‘It was my great privilege to officially open the Mates4Mates Veteran and Family Wellbeing Centre, part of our national Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs network,’ Minister Keogh said.
'This purpose-designed hub will add to the services already available to veterans in Darwin. This is all about providing a safe space that is culturally appropriate for serving and ex-serving members and their families to come to access services and referrals, exercise, learn something new, or just have a brew and make connections.'
Mates4Mates is working closely with a range of service providers and partners, including Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, Soldier On and Kookaburra Kids Foundation, to provide services such as assistance with transition, employment, family, advocacy services and mental health support.
Mates4Mates General Manager Emma Whitehead said the centre wouldn’t have been possible without the Australian Government’s $5 million contribution. ‘Mates4Mates, is committed to creating centres where veterans and families can come together safely, receive the support they need, and access a range of programs and services that are designed to help them navigate the challenges they might be facing,’ Emma said.
'Mates4Mates has served almost 10,000 veterans and family members in the last 10 years and works in partnership with other organisations to provide those impacted by service access to more support services, more often, and in the easiest way possible.'
For more details visit the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs website.