Veteran & Family Hub Highlights: January – March 2026

The first quarter of 2026 has been a strong and encouraging period for RSL LifeCare’s Veteran & Family Hubs, with high levels of engagement, meaningful connections, and continued growth across NSW and the ACT.

From welcoming new visitors and strengthening partnerships to delivering wellbeing programs and community events, our Hubs, in partnership with RSL NSW, have continued to provide safe, supportive spaces where veterans and their families feel welcome, understood, and connected.

By the numbers: 

Between January and March 2026, our Veteran & Family Hubs:

• Welcomed more than 1,550 visitors.
• Received over 450 phone enquiries.
• Hosted 273 on‑site events, attended by over 1,448 people.
• Took part in 73 off‑site community events, reaching more than 1,498 people.

These figures highlight the growing reach of our Hubs and the trust veterans and families place in RSL LifeCare services.

Central Coast Veteran & Family Hub

The Central Coast Hub welcomed two distinguished guests in March, proudly hosting the Assistant Minister for Mental Health, the Hon. Emma McBride MP, and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon. Matt Keogh MP, for an afternoon tea on Tuesday 17 March 2026.

During the visit, Minister Keogh presented Certificates of Recognition to several volunteers, advisory group members, and two RSL LifeCare team members, acknowledging their overseas service in war, warlike, and peacekeeping operations.

Both Ministers spent time speaking with veterans and families, learning first-hand about the positive impact the Hub is making, before enjoying a guided tour of the space. The recognition of RSL LifeCare team members was particularly significant, demonstrating our commitment to walking the talk as a veteran employer.

The importance of this visit was later acknowledged by Assistant Minister McBride in the House of Representatives on 31 March 2026, highlighting the Central Coast Hub’s growing impact.

To stay up to date on the Central Coast Hub, click here.

Hawkesbury Veteran & Family Hub

The Hawkesbury Hub has had a vibrant start to 2026, with its official launch in February, an important milestone that continues to shape its strong community engagement today.

Popular programs have returned and new initiatives are taking shape:

• Weekly yoga classes have relaunched, led by Dani from Surrender to Flow, with each term concluding with a much‑loved Sound Bath session.
• Guitars 4 Veterans has returned, alongside the introduction of the RAAF Richmond Games Club, now using the Hub for weekly games nights.
• Hub staff were delighted to attend the RAAF Glenbrook Easter Egg Hunt, celebrating Easter with Defence families.

The Hub Book Club continues to meet on the last Wednesday of each month, bringing people together over books, conversation and a shared cup of tea.

The Hawkesbury Hub also marked a significant milestone this quarter with the announcement that Bardia Barracks will become the future Veteran and Family Hub for South West Sydney, strengthening connections between the Hawkesbury and South‑West Sydney as part of RSL LifeCare’s growing Hub network.

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

Hunter Veteran & Family Hub

The first quarter of 2026 has been a busy and exciting period for the Hunter Hub. In January and February, the team relocated from temporary premises on Hunter Street, Newcastle, into their new permanent Hub in Maitland, while also welcoming three new team members: Karina, Jodie and Susan — who have quickly settled into their roles.

March marked a major milestone with the official launch of the Hunter Veteran and Family Hub, expanding access to local, coordinated support for veterans and families across the region.

Following the launch, the Hub hosted its first monthly BBQ, welcoming around 50 guests, with support from representatives from 2OCU at RAAF Base Williamtown, who shared meaningful conversations with veterans. Weekly Social Sip – Morning Mingle sessions also commenced, receiving strong attendance and positive feedback. 

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

North Coast Veteran & Family Hub

The North Coast Hub has entered 2026 with strong momentum as renovation works near completion.

While final touches are being completed, the team has continued delivering services remotely and from an interim location, ensuring support remains consistent and accessible. A major milestone this quarter was the completion of full team recruitment, positioning the Hub for a strong launch.

Community engagement has remained a priority, with:

• Weekly Wellness Walks every Wednesday, including a coastal walk to Snapper Rocks followed by coffee.
• Monthly Bowls, held on the last Thursday of each month.

With the opening of the new Hub space expected to occur mid-year, preparations are underway for a broader calendar of social, wellbeing and family‑friendly programs.

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

Northern Beaches Veteran Wellbeing Centre

The Northern Beaches Veteran Wellbeing Centre (NBVWC) delivered a standout quarter, beginning with the Allied Health & Wellbeing Expo at Dee Why RSL.

With more than 50 exhibitors and over 200 attendees, the Expo connected veterans, Defence personnel, families and carers with a wide range of health, wellbeing and advocacy services. The event also supported strong collaboration between service providers, strengthening referral pathways and shared understanding across the sector.

The team also attended the Defence Member and Family Support Welcome to Sydney Family Open Day at Victoria Barracks, Randwick, engaging with more than 600 Defence community members and promoting RSL LifeCare Veteran Services.

Community and family wellbeing remained a strong focus, with the Easter Bunny bringing smiles to 60 children attending a Little Diggers Easter celebration at Narrabeen.

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

Queanbeyan and ACT Veteran & Family Hub

The Queanbeyan and ACT Veteran and Family Hubs experienced an exceptional start to the year, welcoming a record 1,727 visitors across the first three months of 2026.

At Queanbeyan, strong engagement followed the successful Community Services Day held in February. Veterans and families have accessed wellbeing consultations, claims support and employment services, with mental health partners offering regular on‑site appointments.

The ACT Hub in Lyneham continued to grow as a central meeting place, hosting the Veteran and Family Interagency Working Group in March and welcoming a range of service providers and social groups throughout the quarter.

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

Riverina Veteran & Family Hub

Between January and March, the Riverina Hub welcomed 115 members of the veteran community, noting we experienced a few short periods of reduced on-site access while we managed staffing changes. Throughout the quarter, support remained available and fully accessible online or over the phone.

Weekly yoga sessions remained popular, supporting both wellbeing and social connection, while the Military Wives Choir continued to hold weekly rehearsals, providing an important space for community, creativity and peer support. The Hub also hosted Community Circle meetings, bringing together local ex‑service organisations to strengthen collaboration and coordinated support across the region.

Across the quarter, the Hub delivered four events, reinforcing its role as a welcoming place for connection, engagement and support.

The Hub has also recently welcomed Mitchell (pictured left) as our new Engagement and Community Officer. With experience in welfare and wellbeing, Mitchell is already contributing to community connection and engagement across the Riverina.

Community members are encouraged to drop into the Hub for a coffee and a chat, and to keep an eye out for upcoming events and activities as Mitchell continues to settle into his role and build connections across the local veteran community.

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

Shoalhaven Veteran & Family Hub

The Shoalhaven Hub began the year with a relaxed BBQ for members of the Australian Army’s Parachute School and their families in January.

Throughout the quarter, the Hub:

• Became a regular meeting place for the Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention & Awareness Network (SSPAN).
• Introduced Exercise Physiology services through Gateway Life.
• Welcomed back local families for the Sunday Brunch Club.
• Launched creative and wellbeing activities, including Scale Modelling Workshops, forging workshops, and Sound Baths.

A significant milestone was achieved through collaboration with two concessional units now providing accommodation and wrap‑around support for veterans who were sleeping rough.

Claims and wellbeing services have remained extremely busy, reflecting both growing demand and increased awareness of support available through the Hub.

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

Like to know more about all of our veteran support team updates? Read our Veteran Services Update: January-March 2026.

Veteran Services Update: January-March 2026

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.

Subscribe to our newsletter