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7 mins read 1 May 2026We’re delighted to share the key achievements of RSL LifeCare Veteran Services from January to March 2026.Â
Our work is made possible thanks to the generous support of RSL NSW and its sub-Branches, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), and our incredible donors and partners. Together, we’re creating meaningful change for veterans and their families every day.Â
From January to March 2026, we supported the veteran community by:
- Providing $119,560 in financial assistance to veterans and their families.
- Assisting 121 veterans experiencing homelessness, delivering 1,455 nights of safe accommodation.
- Helping 152 veterans lodge 478 DVA claims.
- Supporting 17 veterans or partners to secure new roles through the RSL Employment Program.
- Lodging 62 new Veterans’ Review Board (VRB) appeals, completing 44 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mediation discussions, and representing 7 full VRB hearings.
- Guiding 40 veterans through horse handling and riding courses, supported by 470 hours of volunteer activity at Spur Ranch.
Click the images to enlarge them.
RSL Employment Program
RSL Employment continues to play a vital role in veteran wellbeing, providing stability, purpose and confidence as veterans and partners transition into civilian life. From January to March 2026, the RSL Employment Program supported 17 veterans or partners to secure new roles, delivering meaningful outcomes through tailored, veteran focused support.
Led in NSW by Mark Bransdon and supported by the RSL Employment Program and Wellbeing Teams, the program has strengthened partnerships with values aligned employers, including Allied Business Support Australia. These collaborations connect participants with organisations that genuinely recognise the skills, experience and strengths veterans bring to the civilian workforce.
Feedback from recruitment highlighted the calibre of candidates supported by the RSL Employment Program, and the value of the program’s wraparound support, reinforcing RSL LifeCare’s commitment to being a Veteran Friendly Employer and a leader in creating sustainable employment opportunities for the veteran community.
Veteran & Family Hubs
With nine Veteran and Family Hubs now operating across NSW and the ACT, RSL LifeCare is supporting more veterans and their families than ever before. Our network continues to grow, with a tenth Hub recently announced at Bardia Barracks, which will become the home of the Veteran and Family Hub for South West Sydney. Our Hubs are true places of connection and community. Veterans and families are welcome to drop in, make use of the facilities, and access a wide range of support services tailored to their needs — including claims and advocacy support, wellbeing and financial assistance, housing, education, and more.
This quarter, we also celebrated the grand opening of the Hunter Veteran and Family Hub and the launch of our temporary Windsor location for the Hawkesbury Veteran and Family Hub, marking important milestones in the growth of our network.
To read more about our Hub updates for the January – March 2026 quarter, please click here.
Engaging with the local community – raising awareness & funds
We have recently opened a new veteran and community garden at Tobruk Village in Austral. The newly opened garden space marks an important milestone for veterans and the wider community at Tobruk Village.
Made possible through funding from the Australian Government’s Veteran Wellbeing Grants Program, the revitalised garden has transformed an under‑utilised outdoor area into a welcoming, accessible place for connection, reflection and shared activities.
Designed with veterans in mind, the space supports social connection, wellbeing and a sense of purpose—bringing together veterans, residents, families and local RSL Sub‑Branches. It will continue to be a hub for veteran‑focused activities and community gatherings well beyond its official opening.
Spur Ranch
The Spur Program began 2026 with momentum, connection and purpose, bringing veterans, staff, volunteers and horses together for a memorable first quarter.
January set the tone with a welcoming Family Day, inviting staff and volunteers to share the Spur experience with their families. It was a relaxed and joyful way to strengthen community ties and celebrate the people who support the program behind the scenes. That sense of shared belonging continued later in the month with a two day Horse Handlers Course (14–15 January), equipping participants with essential safety knowledge and foundational horsemanship skills to prepare them for future program activities.
February proved to be one of the busiest and most rewarding months of the quarter. From 2–5 February, veterans took part in a four day Western Riding Fundamentals course. Over the week, confidence steadily grew as participants progressed from cautious first steps to fluid, purposeful riding. For some, it was a chance to reconnect with familiar skills; for others, an opportunity to try something entirely new—either way, the growth was undeniable.
On 8 February, Spur proudly supported the Queanbeyan Veteran Family Hub Salute to Service fundraiser, with Apache and Clyde quickly becoming crowd favourites. Their calm presence created an approachable way to engage with the local community, sparking conversations about veteran services and the important role equine programs play in wellbeing and connection.
Just days later, Spur hosted a team building day on 13 February. What began with a little uncertainty soon turned into laughter, learning and shared achievement, with the horses naturally highlighting the importance of trust, communication and teamwork.
From 16–20 February, veterans stepped into the intensive five day Premuster Course, designed to prepare participants for real muster conditions. The week demanded focus, resilience and strong partnership with their horses. By the final day, the growth in capability, confidence and readiness was a standout highlight.
March continued the momentum with Spur’s participation in the Cattle Muster at Yellowscone from 2–6 March. With ideal weather and strong team spirit, veterans stepped beyond their comfort zones to muster cattle and work them through the yards. The week delivered powerful moments of skill development, confidence building and camaraderie.
Together, these moments reflect a quarter defined by learning, connection and capability—setting a strong foundation for the year ahead.
Housing support for veterans and their families
Between January and March 2026, RSL LifeCare supported 121 veterans experiencing housing insecurity through the Homes for Heroes and Rent Choice Veterans Programs. This included 32 veterans receiving outreach support, ensuring connection to services beyond accommodation alone.
During the quarter, 12 veterans entered the Homes for Heroes program, with four successfully moving into longer‑term housing solutions.
To strengthen service delivery, the Veterans’ Acute Housing Program also welcomed two specialist Case Managers and a Wellbeing Coordinator, increasing capacity to support veterans with complex needs.
Claims and advocacy support
Accessing entitlements can be complex, and claims and advocacy support remains a critical service for many veterans and their families. From January to March 2026, RSL LifeCare supported 152 veterans to lodge 478 Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) claims, helping individuals navigate processes and access the support they are entitled to.
During the same period, the team lodged 62 new Veterans’ Review Board (VRB) appeals, completed 44 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mediation discussions, and represented veterans at 7 full VRB hearings. These outcomes reflect the importance of specialist advocacy and persistence in achieving fair and timely results for the veteran community.
RSL LifeCare provides professional, independent claims and advocacy support to veterans and their families, from lodging claims to appealing decisions. Our services are provided at no cost to veterans, and our team is fully trained and accredited in providing military advocacy and support. If you, or a veteran you know needs help with their DVA Claims, please reach out to our team.
RSL LifeCare is a Veteran Friendly Employer
RSL LifeCare has been recognised as a Veteran Friendly Employer, by the Veteran Employment Program, demonstrating our ongoing commitment and dedication to the veteran community.Â
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.Â
If you’d like to join our team, and work with us to make a real difference to veterans and seniors, we’d love to hear from you. Check out our available roles here:
Jobs with RSL LifeCare - positions available
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.Â
To stay up to date on what the team is doing, please subscribe to our newsletter.
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5 mins read 15 April 2026
Bardia Barracks will be our new Veteran and Family Hub for South West Sydney
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but not sure where to start?
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27 Retirement Living Villages across NSW & ACT
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29 Residential Care homes across NSW & ACT
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22 Home Care service locations across NSW & ACT
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9 Dedicated Veteran & Family Hubs, offering free support for veterans
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