New veteran wellbeing hub to be delivered by RSL LifeCare

A $5.445 million grant from the federal government will enable RSL LifeCare — in partnership with RSL NSW — to develop a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Queanbeyan.

RSL LifeCare successfully completed the final stage of the bid for the new facility, which is part of the government’s $46.7 million commitment to deliver 10 new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country.

A new hub in Queanbeyan enables RSL LifeCare to implement a ‘hub and spoke’ model, developed in consultation with the local communities and other ex-service organisations, through the network of RSL sub-Branches. The facility is expected to open before June 2026 and provide much needed services to more than 26,000 veterans and their families in the region.

RSL LifeCare CEO Janet Muir emphasised the significance of the successful bid as a pivotal step in the ongoing commitment of RSL LifeCare to assist veterans and their families.

“As an organisation, we are thrilled to have secured the bid and look forward to the opportunity to extend our support to an even greater number of veterans and their families with the new hub,” Muir said.

“This Hub, like those being rolled out around the country, will be unique, set up as a Hub and Spoke model to ensure the more than 26,000 veterans in the region can access the services and support they need and deserve,” said Matt Keogh, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.

“The significant consultation undertaken with the local veteran community in the development of the business case for this Hub and ongoing engagement will ensure it is best set up to serve the local veteran community.”

Last year, RSL NSW sub-Branches donated $3.3 million to RSL LifeCare to ensure that veterans and their families continue to receive free critical services and support, including access to local Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs.

“The expansion of Hubs in locations with significant Defence and veteran communities is a strong step in the right direction to bolstering the support we deliver to Australian servicemen and women, and their families,” said Mick Bainbridge, RSL NSW President.

RSL LifeCare Veteran Services will work with a consortium of ex-service organisations and local providers to offer a one-stop shop for the delivery of critical services and support at the centre of the Veterans’ and Families’ Hub strategy.

Image credit: iStock.com/Jimbo_Cymru