Vasey RSL Care has always worked to advocate for veterans and their families and for older Australians.
As our aims and priorities have evolved over the past few years, connecting with all those organisations that support or fund our community members has become a central plank of our strategy.
This is important work.
Vasey RSL Care is the largest provider of veteran accommodation in Australia with nearly 300 affordable housing units and more in the pipeline (see page 6). Our innovative Veteran Empowerment Program at the V Centre a first for Australia has just marked its first year of operation.
And of course, our aged care, both residential and home-based, serve all Australians, and are unique in their understanding and empathy towards the ex-service community.
Ensuring that government (all levels) is aware of the work we do is a vital step in building confidence in our ability to achieve results.
During the 2023-24 financial year, we had over 40 in-person meetings and more than 1000 contacts/engagements with government representatives. This has continued into the current financial year with visits to Canberra and the opportunity to welcome a number of federal and state MPs to our services (see below).
Our new initiatives cannot be realised without funding. Advocating for our community is now a core component of our action plan, carried out by our Advocacy and Media Committee, led by our Government Relations Adviser, Heidi Flower.
Meetings with Government Representatives
In October, Upper House Victorian Member, Richard Welch MP and Chris Parr, Federal Liberal candidate for the seat of Jagajaga, accepted an invitation to visit the V Centre and hear about the Veteran Empowerment Program.
In the same month, Board Chair, Mike O’Meara OAM and CEO, Janna Voloshin visited Canberra where meetings included:
* Karmil Nguyen, Advisor to Federal Housing and Homelessness Minister, Clare O’Neil MP
* Kahlil Fegan DSC AM, Repatriation Commissioner (pictured), Mark Brewer AM CSC and Bar, Deputy President of the Repatriation Commission and Andrew Kefford, Deputy Secretary Policy & Programs, Federal Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
* Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, Federal Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
* Luke Gosling OAM, MP, Federal Special Envoy for Veterans’ Affairs
* Hon Matt Keogh MP, Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs (pictured)
* Senator Jacqui Lambie, Senator for Tasmania
* Hon Michael Sukkar MP, Federal Shadow Minister for Housing
In November, Mike and Janna visited South Australia to meet with Senator Andrew McLachlan MP, Senator for South Australia.
In December, we welcomed Leonie Nowland and Lee Esposito from the DVA’s ‘Open Arms’, veteran and families counselling providers at the V Centre.
In January we were very pleased to welcome Federal Housing and Homelessness Minister, Clare O’Neil MP (pictured, kneeling) and Federal Member for Frankston, Jodie Belyea MP (far left), to our Frankston South Ex-Service Accommodation (ESA) site: it was a great opportunity to showcase the vital work being done to support veterans in need of stable housing. Residents Les (front left) and Andrew (middle back) shared their powerful stories of adversity in securing a home, an issue far too many Australian veterans face.
We also welcomed Paul Edbrooke MP to talk about our vision for our Frankston South site.
Lastly, in February, we welcomed Ryan Batchelor MP, State Member for the Southern Metropolitan region in the Upper House to Vasey RSL Care Brighton East where he announced our submission for $30,000 to develop a Memorial at Vasey RSL Care Brighton East was successful.