New Veterans’ and Families’ Hub for Southeast Queensland
Tailored services and support are now available to veterans and families across Southeast Queensland, with Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh officially opening a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Caboolture in October.
The new Hub means that veterans and families living on the Sunshine Coast, across the City of Moreton Bay and those residing in Brisbane North have improved access to employment, housing, transition, advocacy, mental health and wellbeing support, along with counselling and opportunities to enhance their social connections.
The new Hub is operated by Lives Lived Well and is open to all current and former serving ADF members, including reservists, and their families.
Minister Keogh said Lives Lived Well worked quickly to stand up the Hub, with its doors opening to the community less than 10 months after he announced the $5 million grant.
‘A key focus will be on assisting recently transitioned Defence personnel and their families to adjust to civilian life and become part of the community,’ Minister Keogh said.
‘That transition is something we know can be challenging, not only for veterans but also for their families – and we also know a lot of veterans choose Southeast Queensland as their retirement location, with more people transitioning to civilian life in the region than anywhere else in Australia.’
Lives Lived Well has partnered with a number of ex-service organisations and key agencies to ensure they are providing wrap-around support for veterans and their families.
‘Between Lives Lived Well’s decades of experience in providing health and wellbeing support, and the Vietnam Veterans Association’s experience at the coal face, I look forward to seeing how these organisations, both leaders in their respective fields, work together to connect with and support veterans in Caboolture,’ Minister Keogh said.
Veterans and families who live in Southeast Queensland are encouraged to drop by for a cuppa and a chat. The Hub is located at 12 King Street, Caboolture. Support is also available over the phone or online: simply call 1300 727 957 or send the team an email at vwc [at] liveslivedwell.org.au (vwc[at]liveslivedwell[dot]org[dot]au).
The launch of the Caboolture Veterans’ and Families’ Hub is part of the Government’s $46.7 million commitment to deliver eight new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country. Visit the DVA website for more information about the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs.