Murgon RSL Sub Branch opens new veteran welfare drop-in centre
22 July 2021- Health & wellbeing
Whether it’s a friend to share your coffee with, someone to give you a voice, or a space that welcomes you just as you are – a strong community to support you as a veteran is vital.
Veterans in Murgon and South Burnett are benefiting from stronger community bonds that improve their wellbeing and quality of life at the newly opened Veteran Welfare Drop-In Centre.
The project – spearheaded by Murgon RSL Sub Branch – is the first of its kind in the Murgon and Goomeri District and was made possible after receiving a $450,000 grant from the Federal Government through the Building Better Community Development Grants Program in 2020.
RSL Queensland Wide Bay Burnett District President Trevor Williamson OAM says the local community has been excited to see the centre finally open.
“For a country town coming out of a couple of years of heavy drought, anything new or fresh that fires up the community is a good thing. To see the building come to life is tremendous for the whole town.”
AN OPEN DOOR POLICY
The new Murgon RSL Sub Branch Welfare Drop-in Centre officially opened its doors on 4 July.
Trevor says the centre will offer facilities to local veterans and neighbouring Sub Branches that do not have a veteran services officer or welfare advocate.
“We have designed the building around the members. We intentionally designed the drop-in centre to have no alcohol or poker machines. It was something our younger veterans have been telling us they want to see,” he says.
Murgon RSL Sub Branch President Kevin Gill agrees.
“Our doors are always open,” he says. “If a veteran needs our help, we are here to support them, and now with the drop-in centre open we’re able to help even more.”
Although only open a short time, Trevor says they’ve already had four new members join the Sub Branch, and more reaching out for information on advocacy support.
“There’s been quite a few members that are already finding a sense of purpose from having somewhere to go on a regular basis. Even if it’s just to have a chat or to come in and do a few little jobs around the place and feel good about it.
“We’re seeing veterans who have never joined the RSL or haven’t been involved in a very long time come and see us now the doors are open. They know they have somewhere to come and feel involved in their community again.”
A HELPING HAND, ALWAYS
Proud members attend the opening of the new Murgon Sub Branch Welfare Drop-in Centre, from left, Peter Backshall, Kerrie Bantoft, President Kevin Gill, Keith Solomon, and David Piggott. Photo by Amy Buckingham, Burnett Today.
For the team, the drop-in centre has enabled them to expand the services available in the region and give even greater help to veterans.
“We now have greater potential for us to reach out to and help more veterans. Especially being able to see them on a more regular basis. When you don’t see someone everyday it is hard to know whether they are travelling well or not,” Trevor says.
Trevor and the Sub Branch hope members will benefit from practical support, such as technology, that allows members to attend telehealth medical appointments at the centre.
“We’re about 300 kilometres from the major hospitals in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast or Toowoomba. For a veteran to travel from Murgon to Toowoomba, for example, is a 600-kilometre round trip or around five hours of driving for a 10 or 15-minute doctor appointment,” he says.
“We’re hoping that rather than having our members drive all the way to Toowoomba or Brisbane, they can have their follow-up appointment via telehealth and save the extra travel. Keep in mind that one of our oldest veterans is 98 years old – that’squite a mammoth task for them to travel all that way.
“This is a space for veterans, by veterans. We share their experience and if our community needs us, we’ll be here.”
The Veteran Welfare Drop-In Centre is open weekdays 9am - 3pm and is located at 44 Stephens Street West, Murgon. For all contact details visit rslqld.org/about-us/murgon-sub-branch
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