Angus House provides a place of respite

How to book a stay at angus house

Medical treatment is a stressful and expensive process. To help relieve this burden, RSL Queensland offers short-term accommodation in Brisbane for regional veterans and their families. Rooms in Angus House are only $20 per person per night and include dinner – a staggering 90 per cent cheaper than other surrounding options.

Army veteran Jan Beurskens and his wife Gea are two members of the Defence community currently taking advantage of this convenient and relaxing accommodation option.

Sixty-eight-year-old Jan served in the Army medical corps for 20 years between 1970 – 1990. His last 10 years involved field work and included a three-month deployment with A Company 6RAR to Rifle Company Butterworth in Malaysia.

“My military service was one of my life’s highlights. It rates second to my marriage to my wife Gea,” says Jan.

INJURED WHILE TREATING A PATIENT

During his deployment in Malaysia, Jan developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It was further aggravated by a percussion blow he suffered to the back of his head from an artillery gun when he was treating a patient several years later.

Gea spent much of their marriage helping Jan deal with the repercussions of his PTSD. He suffered two breakdowns in 1988 and 1996 and took antidepressants for 17 years.

“It takes away part of your life. Periodically I will just burst into tears and there is absolutely no reason for it,” he says.

At one point the couple got divorced, but the bond between them was too strong and eventually they reunited and remarried in 2014. Not long after this, neuroendocrine tumours were discovered in Jan’s liver.

Jan is currently being treated for cancer, which involves a monthly injection administered at Greenslopes Hospital that must continue for the rest of his life.

GEA HAS A BRAIN ANEURYSM

In July 2019, Gea suffered from a brain aneurysm and was admitted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. The specialist said her chances of survival were as low as 25 per cent, but with several operations she pulled through.

The hospital was a 90-kilometre drive from where the couple live in Adare, just outside Gatton. In the first two weeks Jan clocked up more than 2,000 kilometres driving back and forth to visit his wife. 

He sometimes stayed with friends, but the trip was causing him massive fatigue and taking its toll on his PTSD.

ANGUS HOUSE TO THE RESCUE

At this point Jan was given a recommendation for Angus House by members of Sunnybank RSL Sub Branch.

“Staying at Angus House provided me with an opportunity to stay close to the PA Hospital, to be on call and visit my wife and provide support to her and the medical staff,” says Jan.

Gea does not recall the first four weeks and, upon waking, was relieved to learn that her husband was staying nearby.

“I would have stressed out terribly if Jan was travelling back and forth. Knowing that he was staying at Angus House gave me great peace of mind,” says Gea.

Gea is still recovering and receives regular treatment, including speech therapy and physical rehabilitation. She can’t drive, so the couple often stays at Angus House if they have appointments on consecutive days or if Jan has an adverse reaction to his cancer treatment. 

MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO STAY

Located in Toowong, Angus House has 11 bedrooms, four shared bathrooms, three TV rooms, a communal dining room, kitchen, laundry and a garden for guests to relax in. It is close to Toowong Private Hospital and the Wesley Hospital and staff sometimes offer transport to nearby hospitals. EFTPOS facilities have recently been installed, further adding to the convenience.

But Angus House provides more than just a roof over people’s heads, it offers a relaxing safe haven where veterans can support each other.

“I think that is one of the special features about this place. It’s like a respite. If you want to talk, you talk, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to,” says Jan.

Although it can sometimes take a few days, residents generally open up during the course of their stay – emerging from their rooms to talk and laugh with other guests.

“Meeting other veterans with similar health issues has been great. I found their presence could diffuse issues inside my head and thus reduce the additional trauma that is usually part of a veteran’s luggage,” explains Jan.

STAFF PROVIDE A WARM WELCOME

Angus House is staffed by Michelle and Paula who manage the bookings, clean, do laundry, cook meals, carry out repairs and tend the gardens. Residents have nothing but positive things to say about them, the quality of the meals and cleanliness of the house.

Gea says Michelle and Paula are calm and pleasant and nothing is too much effort for them.

“They have been the backbone of Angus House and are on the front line, supporting the veteran community,” adds Jan.

Paula cooks nourishing, comforting meals and can cater to various dietary requirements. She also knows which of her regulars are particularly fond of her baking treats.

“The evening meal proved a real bonus. I was able to eat at any hour, and this provided me the space to spend time at the hospital and attend to my own medical appointments,” says Jan.

STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH VETERANS

RSL Queensland is guided by eight Objects, the first of which is to provide for current or ex-serving members of the Defence community who are sick, helpless, wounded, aged, vulnerable, destitute and needy.

Angus House is a great example of how the organisation can fulfil this objective and help ease the load for veterans in need. According to Jan, members of the Defence community rely on this support.

“To me, the RSL is an extension of military service,” says Jan.

“Older veterans staying at Angus House feel a sense of security, support and respect. Veterans find it very difficult to trust people, and the RSL makes them feel like they haven’t been totally abandoned.”

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

• $20/night per person, including dinner
• Address: 53-55 Bayliss Street, Toowong
• Close to Toowong Private Hospital and Wesley Hospital
• Stay with other members of the Defence community
• Staff sometimes offer transport to nearby hospitals
• 11 bedrooms, four shared bathrooms, three TV rooms, dining room, kitchen and laundry
• Designed for members of the Defence community receiving medical treatment

HOW TO BOOK A STAY AT ANGUS HOUSE

Phone: 0418 721 300 
Email: michelle.byrne@rslqld.org
More info: rslqld.org/find-help/angus-house