
Chester Joint Release – Regional NSW Veterans Get Boost in Wellbeing Support
*This media release originally appeared on the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs website.
The Hon Darren Chester MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel
Senator the Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells
Senator for New South Wales
The health and wellbeing of veterans and their families on the South Coast of NSW will receive a much-needed increase in local benefits with the new Veteran Wellbeing Centre in Nowra open from Monday.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said today’s opening at the wellbeing centre’s temporary location by the lead organisation RSL LifeCare, would mean the local veteran community could access a one stop shop of services and support.
“A key focus of these Veteran Wellbeing Centres is ensuring services and support that meet the needs of veterans and their families, including community and peer programs, wellbeing case services and coordinated community sporting activities,” Mr Chester said.
“RSL LifeCare, with the support of RSL NSW, is ensuring veterans are connected to a range of core services providing support for transition, employment, health and social connection.”
The first occupants of the temporary location will include Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, RSL LifeCare Veteran Services and Veteran Sport Australia.
Senator for New South Wales, the Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, said while the process of building the new Wellbeing Centre was underway, she was pleased to see the needs of the veteran community being served through this temporary shopfront.
“Nowra and the surrounding region has around 5,000 veterans and their families, as well as two Defence bases in HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell, and having services up and running in a temporary capacity is encouraging,” Senator Fierravanti-Wells said.
“It is so important that our Australian Defence Force personnel, veterans and their families have a dedicated place where they can go to connect with one another and to also access the assistance they need.
“I wish RSL LifeCare all the best and look forward to visiting the permanent location when it is finished.”
RSL LifeCare Chair Andrew Condon said the organisation is proud to have a physical footprint in the Nowra region to deliver services to veterans and their families.
“Nowra has a proud tradition of service and a great mix of current and ex-serving Defence Force members that we hope to connect with,” Mr Condon said.
“We will continue to consult and work with the local community to ensure that the Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre delivers services that are veteran-centric and recovery focused.”
RSL NSW President Ray James says it is important for them to continue to work with a variety of ex‑service organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families, and to provide individualised services based on the needs of local veterans.
“When the Veteran Wellbeing Centre is open, veterans and their families will be able to access services and programs in a friendly, welcoming environment where their unique experiences are understood and supported, and their military service is respected,” Mr James said.
At the last election, the Government committed $30 million to develop a network of six Veteran Wellbeing Centres across Australia in partnership with ex-service organisations (ESOs) and state and territory Governments. For more information about the Veteran Wellbeing Centres, visit the DVA website www.dva.gov.au/wellbeing-centres
Blog Posts

3 Mar 2023
Message from our CEO celebrating International Women’s Day
Good morning everyone, Today, on International Women’s Day, we take the opportunity to celebrate the contribution made by the...

6 Jun 2022
Vale Walter Williams OAM
RSL LifeCare staff and residents alike have been deeply saddened to learn of the passing of long – time...

5 May 2022
Giving our nurses a voice to lead
Today, on International Nurses Day (IND) we shine a light on our nursing staff and their vital work. Our nurses...
4 Apr 2022
RSL LifeCare Veteran Services – one team supporting veterans and their families
The delivery of Veteran Services has been core to RSL LifeCare since its beginnings over 100 years ago. Now,...

3 Mar 2022
How the RSL Veterans’ Employment Program helps veterans find work
Transitioning to a different career is not always easy for veterans returning to civilian life. The RSL Veterans’ Employment...
11 Nov 2021
RSL LifeCare Annual Report 2021
I am pleased to advise that the 2021 RSL LifeCare Annual Report is now available. This annual report is...
10 Oct 2021
Rapid Antigen Test kits now available to Aged Care providers.
The Department of Health is offering Rapid Antigen Test kits to aged care providers across NSW in high-risk Local...

8 Aug 2021
Aged Care Employee Day is a day to thank everyone at RSL LifeCare.
7th August is Aged Care Employee Day. This is a day for us to thank every person who works...

7 Jul 2021
World War 2 code breaker Marion Painter features in Sky News documentary
ANZAC Village, Narrabeen resident Marion Painter has featured in Sky News documentary, The Alliance, about her time as a...

6 Jun 2021
Aged care workers should be vaccinated on site.
AGED care provider, RSL LifeCare, have applauded the Australian Government for their decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for staff...

3 Mar 2016
Laughter is the best medicine
Laughter releases endorphins, giving us the ‘feel good factor’ Acts as aerobic exercise and is like ‘internal jogging’ Unleashes...

5 May 2016
A healthy diet for a healthy heart
Valentine’s Day saw people thinking of love and things of the heart and we thought it would be a...

10 Oct 2016
Pets and Positive Ageing
Animals play an important role in our lives. As Community Staff, we are blessed to see the bonds that...

More from the blog
Latest News
George Carpenter’s Inspiring Dedication to Preserving Military History
George Carpenter, an 87 year old resident of RSL ANZAC Village in Narrabeen, has been volunteering at the RSL LifeCare War Museum for three years...
Read moreFrom Stables to Retirement Living: Tim Cooke’s Life Journey
"My journey kicked off when I was just 14 years old. The year was 1963. I waved goodbye to school and hello to an apprenticeship...
Read moreJourney Through 102 Years: The Life of Helen Lea
"My name is Helen Lea, and I've been lucky enough to reach the grand age of 102. I've always felt pretty good for my age....
Read moreHonouring Malaya & Borneo Veterans: A Story of Sidney Peter Bryant
Today, on August 31, we commemorate Malaya & Borneo Veterans Day and take a moment to pay tribute to those who served in the Malayan...
Read moreFederal Government grant awarded to RSL LifeCare
RSL LifeCare has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the Australian Government to support the development of a business case to establish a Veterans’ and...
Read moreRSL LifeCare a finalist in Best Graduate Development Program – Australian HR Awards 2023
August 2023 – RSL LifeCare’s Graduate Registered Nurse Program has been announced as a finalist in the Australian HR Awards 2023, Best Graduate Development Program...
Read moreRSL LifeCare successfully moves to the second stage in becoming the provider for a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in both the Tweed-North Coast region and Queanbeyan.
RSL LifeCare has welcomed the opportunity by the Federal Government to submit a business case to deliver a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in these critical...
Read moreAppointment of Elizabeth Cosson AM CSC to RSL LifeCare Board
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth (Liz) Cosson AM CSC as a Director of the RSL LifeCare Board as of Monday...
Read moreFree laptops give veterans access to employment and education opportunities
RSL LifeCare Veteran Services, in collaboration with Optus and ASI Solutions, are providing laptops to veterans and their families to access education courses and employment...
Read moreMeet Alan Buxton – RSL LifeCare resident and World War II veteran
103-year-old RSL LifeCare resident Alan Buxton has led a life of courage and service. His father served in World War I, and Alan followed in...
Read moreMessage from our CEO celebrating International Women’s Day
Good morning everyone, Today, on International Women's Day, we take the opportunity to celebrate the contribution made by the incredible women of RSL LifeCare and...
Read moreState-of-the-art Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre now open to veterans and their families
RSL LifeCare has officially opened its purpose built, state-of-the-art facility to permanently house the Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre, providing an expanded range of health and...
Read more