Veteran & Family Hub Highlights – April to June 2025

More than 2500 people attended a range of events and activities and events in the past quarter – in fact, our Hub network hosted over 200 events and activities for the veteran community. 

We were pleased to be the recipient of a DVA Wellbeing Grant, which will allow us to deliver 3D printing and scale modelling workshops across all Hubs.

Mental Health is a key aspect that the Hubs support and we held 11 Mental Health First Aid Veteran Protect workshops, with 141 attendees.

Oceania Veteran Esports League kicked off in Riverina and Shoalhaven this quarter also!

Across a five-week season, teams battled in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 using a double-elimination format, culminating in an exciting final showdown. With dedicated training opportunities, organised streaming coverage, and exclusive prizes, this league is an exciting addition to our Hubs offering.  Currently, Shoalhaven and Riverina have dedicated Esports gaming areas and teams in the League.   

The Hubs are a true place of connection and community for our veterans and their families.  They can visit the Hub and make use of the facilities as they need to and also access the support offerings which are available to them – from claims and advocacy support, wellbeing and financial, housing or education and more. 

Here’s a snapshot of some of the key moments in each of our Hubs: 

From April to June 2025, our Veteran & Family Hubs:

• Welcomed over 1,628 visitors
• Received over 134 phone inquiries
• Hosted 221 on-site events at the Hubs, which had more than 2,745 people attending
• Took part in 65 off-site events attended by over 4,100 people

Here’s a snapshot of some of the key moments in our Hubs this year so far:

Queanbeyan Veteran & Family Hub

 There are so many fantastic activities and events to enjoy at our newly opened Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub.  Veterans and their families are spoilt for choice! 

• Weekly Yoga kicked off in earnest at Queanbeyan – a partnership with Invictus.  This is a hit with local veterans and their families and regularly attracts 10-12 participants 

• Queanbeyan now has a regular exercise physiologist who has started classes at the Hub, with 5 participants at their first class in May. 

• Soldier On is running Brave Buddies play group at Queanbeyan Hub with 16 little Brave Buddies attending in May. 

• Mindful Movement, Tai Chi, has come to Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub 

• There is a Circuit Class (heart/muscle/balance) offered by JB Rehabilitation 

• Fortnightly coffee catch-ups hosted by Open Arms 

• Weekly photography and walk and talk groups to join. 

To stay up to date on Queanbeyan news, please click here.

Shoalhaven Veteran & Family Hub

Didge for a Day, is a new initiative that has launched in partnership with the Aboriginal Liaison Officer at HMAS Albatross. This program is for serving personnel and then for a community of veterans to engage in making a didge and learning a little about how to play.   

The Hub hosted a reptile party for Defence kids during school holidays, transforming the hub into a slithering, scaly, educational hall of fun. 

To stay up to date on the Shoalhaven Hub, please click here.

Riverina Veteran & Family Hub

The Riverina Veteran and Family Hub hosted a fantastic event at the Junee Chocolate Factory. The event was attended by 239 veterans and their children, consuming 392 pizzas and making 196 kgs of chocolate easter eggs! Well done Riverina Veteran and Family Hub! 

Australian Military Bank are now operating the third Thursday of every month from the Riverina Hub, to support those Defence Families that can’t make it onto the base to meet their banking needs. 

This quarter saw the hugely successful launch of the weekly gaming and modelling group that meets every Wednesday evening.  This weekly activity is proving an opportunity for veterans and their families to connect, reducing social isolation and improving wellbeing. 

To stay up to date on the Riverina Hub, please click here.

Central Coast Veteran & Family Hub

 Due to the growing numbers of veterans seeking support at the Central Coast VFH, we have commenced recruitment of an Engagement and Communication Officer to support the Central Coast veterans and their families. 

A new psychologist has commenced at the Hub, attending fortnightly on a Thursday.  This service is available for walk-ins and bookings and is a valuable addition to the health and wellbeing services available at the Hub. 

The Hub also hosted a lunch in May during Volunteer Week to celebrate and acknowledge the fabulous contribution the volunteers make to the Hub and the local veteran community: many of whom are veterans themselves.  

To stay up to date, click here.

Northern Beaches Veteran Wellbeing Centre

Due to increasing numbers of veterans using the Northern Beaches VWC, we have recruited an Engagement and Community Officer who commenced on 26th May. 

Forestville RSL sub-Branch welfare appointments will be available from the Centre, starting Tuesday, 24th June. 

Some fantastic new wellbeing services launching in July at the Wellbeing CeEntre include: 

• Silver Mind Psychologist available weekly 
• Open Arms monthly peer support service 

To stay up to date on our Northern Beaches Veteran Wellbeing Centre, please click here.

Hunter Veteran & Family Hub

The Hub team attended the Transition Seminar in May – a fantastic opportunity to talk about the many ways that RSL LifeCare can support transitioning members and their families. 

The construction plans for the future home of the Hub are well underway at 48 Ken Tubman Drive, Maitland. We’re excited to share the progress with you! 

Read more here.

For news and updates about the Hunter Hub, please click here.

Hawkesbury Veteran & Family Hub

We’re pleased that our doors are now open and we have hired all members of the Hawkesbury Veteran & Family Hub team, to provide support services from Hawkesbury to South Western Sydney. 

Our team, led by Hub Manager, Brett Adams, has been busy meeting with the local veteran community and establishing strong connections.  They’re excited to meet all local veteran and family members, so pop in to see the team at 36 Argyle Street, South Windsor.

To stay up to date on Hawkesbury Hub news, please click here.

North Coast Veteran & Family Hub

The North Coast Hub has officially opened its doors to our veteran community, now operating from its new temporary location at 145 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads. The team is now complete, with Shelley joining as our Engagement & Coordination Officer (ECO), working alongside Baz, our Claims Advisor, and Michael as Hub Manager.

The Wednesday Walking Group has become a great weekly tradition—starting at 7:30am from the Hub, walkers enjoy a light walk along the scenic Tweed River followed by coffee and a chat back at the office. It’s a fantastic way to connect and check in with one another.

The team have been actively engaging with local sub-branches and ex-service organisations (ESOs), and recently took part in a clean-up of war graves at Murwillumbah Cemetery, supporting Project Norden in this important act of remembrance.

The team were honoured to be invited to the Quilts of Valour presentation at Palm Lake Resort, where nine veterans were recognised with hand-made quilts in appreciation of their service. We also had the opportunity to present alongside our local Home Care team, highlighting the Hub and broader services available to non-veterans, veterans and their families in the region.

To stay up to date on North Coast Hub news, please click here.

Like to know more about all of our veteran support team updates? Read our Quarter 1 update here.

Our efforts are proudly supported by funds from RSL NSW and its sub-Branches. The services we provide would not be possible without the generous support of our donors.  

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, get in touch with us at [email protected]. Or call 02 8088 0388.

To stay up to date on what the team is doing, please subscribe to our regular newsletter updates.