Save Vasey! The Facts
On this page:
Factsheet 27 May 2020 – Protect Vasey RSL Care
Vasey RSL Care Governance Structure
Vasey RSL Care Strategy Summary
Factsheet 27 May 2020
Click image to open Factsheet as PDF
Protect Vasey RSL Care – Support Our Advocacy Campaign
Vasey RSL Care has launched a public advocacy campaign to inform and enlist the support of the ex-service community to secure a strong future for our organisation.
We have taken this step following confirmation that the Presidents of RSL Victoria and the War Widows’ Guild of Australia (Victoria) wish to see our organisation sold by 2023.
Our campaign aims to:
Highlight the valuable role we play as the only aged care organisation in Victoria that prioritises veterans.
Ensure people know about our Strategic Plan to continue to meet the demand from older ex-service people and their dependants, while adapting to serve the needs of younger veterans and those in transition, including expanding services in areas such as regional Victoria and Melbourne’s western suburbs.
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What is the relationship between RSL Victoria and the War Widows’ Guild of Australia (Victoria) and Vasey RSL Care?
- RSL Victoria and the Guild were instrumental in establishing Vasey RSL Care in 2004 through the merger of RSL Care Victoria (which formed at the end of WWI) and Vasey Housing Victoria (which formed at the end of WWII).
- The two organisations play a role in our governance. They nominate the members of our company – 11 members from RSL Victoria and 11 from the Guild – and they nominate or approve members of our board of directors.
- There is more detailed information about our governance structure in the document ‘Vasey RSL Care Governance Structure’ at the bottom of this page.
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Did the members of the Vasey RSL Care company decide to sell Vasey RSL Care in 2012?
- RSL Victoria has stated that the members of the Vasey RSL Care company, (which it incorrectly refers to as ‘governing members’), made a decision in 2012 to sell Vasey RSL Care, and then reaffirmed this decision in 2018.
- This is incorrect. The formal meeting records (the minutes of Vasey RSL Care’s 2012 and 2018 annual general meetings) confirm that the sale of Vasey RSL Care was not discussed. The members of the Vasey RSL Care company did not decide to sell Vasey RSL Care in 2012, 2018 or at any other time.
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Did the members of the Vasey RSL Care company endorse a legal deed regarding the sale of Vasey RSL Care in 2018?
- RSL Victoria has stated that at the 2018 annual general meeting, the members of the Vasey RSL Care company (which it incorrectly refers to as ‘governing members’) extended a “deed of ratification” on the sale until 2023.
- This is incorrect.
- The members of the Vasey RSL Care company have never considered the sale of Vasey RSL Care.
- The decision that the facilities should be sold was made by representatives of RSL Victoria and the Guild.
- Vasey RSL Care only became aware of the decision to sell the organisation on 22 January 2015, when lawyers for RSL Victoria and the Guild sent a copy of the deed to the board and the CEO, stating it was “highly confidential”.
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As a veterans’ organisation, why does Vasey RSL Care admit non-veteran residents?
- Our mission is to “serve those who served”. We always give priority to the ex-service community.
- Currently more than 70 per cent of our aged care home residents (around 700 people) are veterans and war widows. Our independent living units are exclusively for veterans and dependents.
- Where we have a vacancy in aged care and do not have a veteran on our waiting list, we will offer a place to a non-veteran rather than keep a room empty. The reason for this is to protect the financial viability of our organisation and the jobs of our staff.
- Like all aged care providers, we receive government funding for each resident based on their level of care and financial situation.
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As a Patriotic Fund set up to benefit veterans, is Vasey RSL Care allowed to provide accommodation and services to non-veterans?
- The regulator, Consumer Affairs Victoria, advised us in writing in September 2019 that there is no issue with Vasey RSL Care’s patriotic fund status due to our mix of residents and that “there is no set percentage” of veterans to non-veterans required at our facilities.
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If Vasey RSL Care were sold, would aged care residents have to leave their homes?
- Aged care is protected by government and residents’ bonds and security of tenure would be assured.
- However, it is important to understand that Vasey RSL Care is the only aged care organisation in Victoria that prioritises the ex-service community. Our mission to ”serve those who served” provides a unique environment for our residents. They benefit from our specialist knowledge of the ex-service community and the camaraderie and support that comes from living with other war widows and veterans.
- The war widows and veterans that we care for stand to lose the camaraderie and support they enjoy living with an organisation focused on the ex-service community. An outsourced service provider could never hope to replicate this.
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If the Vasey RSL Care sale were to go ahead, what would happen to those living in the independent living (ex-service) units?
- Independent living unit tenants have less security of tenure protection than aged care residents, which is why we are working so hard to secure a commitment to our future from RSL Victoria and the Guild.
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Why are there proposals by RSL Victoria and the Guild to sell Vasey RSL Care?
- We do not understand why.
- The reasons given in correspondence include their mistaken belief that there is a decline in the number of veterans and war widows, the cost of residential care and changing service models for older people.
- On 16 April 2020, after we raised this issue publicly, the president of RSL Victoria sent a letter to RSL sub-branches stating that, “It is the view of RSL Victoria and the War Widows Guild that Vasey RSL Care should be sold and a new trust fund created”. The letter stated that funds from the sale of Vasey RSL Care would be used for “veteran welfare, including accommodation options for younger veterans, across all of Victoria.”
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Why does Vasey RSL Care want to remain into the future?
- Vasey RSL Care is the only aged care organisation in Victoria that prioritises ex-service people and their dependants. We provide care for veterans regardless of their financial circumstances. Our knowledge and expertise has been developed over many years and could not be replaced by an outsourced service provider, as proposed by RSL Victoria and the Guild.
- We know that demand for our services will increase: Department of Veterans’ Affairs figures show that in the decade to 2029, veteran numbers in Victoria will increase almost 22 per cent to 37,500. By 2029 the department expects to have 3700 war widows on its books.
- We have a well-considered Strategic Plan to continue to meet the demand from current veterans (WWII and Korean War) and next generation (Vietnam War), as well as older veterans and their dependants. At the same time, we plan to continue to adapt and expand to serve the needs of younger veterans and those in transition, with services such as supportive accommodation, employment and general and mental health support.
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Why are you telling people about this now?
- We are increasingly receiving enquiries from ex-service organisations and our own residents and tenants, who are worried about asset sales and the future of the company.
- While we are aware of how upsetting this news is to our community, including vulnerable veterans and war widows, we wanted to ensure that the community was informed before it was too late.
- We believe we need to raise this publicly so that we can have certainty for all who rely on our organisation. Our residents, clients and staff should not have the additional worry about the future of our organisation and their housing, services and jobs at this time.
- Our staff are working one on one with our residents to ensure that they are properly supported and understand that there is no immediate risk to homes and services.
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What does this mean for Vasey RSL Care’s 550 staff?
- We have an excellent team of dedicated aged care, health and veteran specialists who care for our residents and clients. We want them to be able to continue to develop their skills and have career opportunities with Vasey RSL Care offering services to a wider group of veterans, regardless of age.
- There are no changes currently proposed to our staff, and we are working to provide long-term security. Certainty for our residents, clients, staff and future service users is the key reason for our advocacy campaign.
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How can I help protect Vasey RSL Care?
- We need your help to highlight the importance of our services and ensure we operate beyond the 2023 deadline given to us by RSL Victoria and the Guild. We are asking supporters to help by:
- Write to the presidents of the RSL Victoria and the War Widows Guild Victoria and ask them to commit to a strong future for Vasey RSL Care:
1. RSL Victoria: by email or by post to:
President, RSL Victoria
ANZAC House
4 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
2. War Widows Guild Victoria by email (which we will pass on) or by post to:
President, War Widows Guild Victoria
PO Box 203
Hawthorn VIC 3122
3. Please send a copy to communications@vaseyrslcare.org.au so we know what has been sent
Are you an RSL Victoria Member?
Before your sub-branch casts their vote(s), make your views known to your sub-branch executive . Ask them to speak to the candidate of choice and ask for their commitment to a strong future for Vasey RSL Care.
Vasey RSL Care Governance Structure
Click on the image for an explanation of Vasey RSL Care’s governance structure and relationship with RSL Victoria and the War Widows Guild Victoria.
Vasey RSL Care Strategy Summary
Click on the image for a summary of Vasey RSL Care’s future strategy to care for Victoria’s veterans and war widows of all ages.