Nowra Veteran Centre Open for Business

Up to 20,000 veterans and their families will be able to access vital mental and physical wellbeing, housing and employment support services from today as part of the first and only Veteran Wellbeing Centre in NSW under the Federal Government’s 2019 election commitment.

Run by RSL LifeCare, the Wellbeing Centre will begin operating from a temporary site at Nowra on the NSW South Coast while a permanent site is under development nearby.

Nowra is a garrison town with three separate defence bases in the area. The centre is one of six being built nationwide, alongside those in Perth, Townsville, Darwin, Adelaide and Wodonga.

It will service southern NSW from Wollongong to Yass and every local government area in-between.

The new services are being made available only weeks after the Australian Government announced a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

RSL LifeCare Board Chair, Andrew Condon, said that providing critical support services to veterans and their families can be life changing.

“Transitioning from service to civilian life can be very challenging for defence personnel and their families. We want to help them find their feet, feel supported and become a part of their local community,” Mr Condon said.

“This centre will provide essential integrated support, with a focus on wellbeing, to veterans and their families.”

Approximately 6,000 veterans transition out of the ADF every year, 18 per cent of whom are discharged for medical reasons[1].

The Nowra Wellbeing Centre will include:

• Connection to Defence and other Ex-Service Organisations, including ADF Transition programs and activities
• DVA Claims and Advocacy support services
• Social connection – e. support groups and sport activities including NSW Government supported programs through Veteran Sport Australia
• Holistic veteran and family wellbeing support services
• Housing assistance services, including the existing NSW Government programs such as Rent Choice Veterans and Link2home
• Open Arms community and peer advisor support services
• Employment support assistance and services including the RSL Employment Program and connection to the NSW Government Veteran Employment Program
• Mental health support services and referral services with programs such as Open Arms, the National Centre for Veterans Healthcare and other NSW Health services locally

The new centre will service the following areas:

• Albion Park
• Austinmer Thirroul
• Berry
• Bomaderry
• Bowral
• Braidwood
• Bundanoon
• Callala Beach
• Coledale
• Corrimal
• Crookwell
• Culburra Beach – Orient Point
• Dapto – Point Kembla
• Gerringong
• Goulburn
• Huskisson
• Kiama – Jamberoo
• Milton – Ulladulla
• Mittagong
• Mossvale
• Picton – Thirlmere – Bargo
• Queanbeyan
• Shoalhaven Heads
• St Georges Basin
• Sussex Inlet
• Taralga
• Warilla
• Wollongong
• Woonona – Bulli
• Yass

The Nowra Wellbeing Centre is currently under Development Application. Construction is set to begin as soon as the DA is approved and is expected to be completely operational by mid-2022.

Media enquiries: Irina Kamychnikova 0426 221 550  ikamychnikova@apollo.sydney

[1] A Better Way to Support Veterans – Productivity Commission Inquiry Report, 2019, https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/veterans/report