* November 2024 *

A Message from our CEO, Janna Voloshin

As we commemorate Remembrance Day, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the difficult times our world faces with ongoing conflicts that affect many – particularly in our multicultural community, even though we are far removed from the events. We still feel the impacts on those involved through our extended families and friends: we are not simply observers and we must all learn from these circumstances.

One lesson particularly stands out for me: in times of crisis, we turn to those who serve in our armed forces. We depend on them when our lives or wellbeing are endangered whether it’s a natural disaster, pandemic, conflict or other challenge. This has been the case for more than a century and we have come to rely on it.

Those who have served – and continue to serve – our country, deserve more than our gratitude: it is vital that we are committed to veterans and to those considering a career in service. Sadly, as highlighted by the recent Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, there is much work to be done to improve support and recognition for our veterans. We must all strive to do better.

I am proud that at Vasey RSL Care, we are not just doing ‘business as usual’: we are actively seeking to extend and expand our support for the veteran community: our mission, instilled in us by our founders, Mrs Jessie Vasey OBE CBE and RSL Care, drives us to find better ways to ‘Serve Those Who Served’.

This year, we demonstrated this commitment through our new initiative responding to high rates of veteran homelessness and its causes with The V Centre Veteran Empowerment Program. We undertook this without a commitment of support from government because we believe it is the right thing to do and because these veterans are not in a position to wait. This Program is already making a difference in the lives of veterans – and I encourage you to click the image below to hear directly from some of the participants – and this has been achieved through the many partner organisations who also believe in this Program and the ongoing support of our dedicated community.

So today, as we remember and honour all who serve and have served, we must remind ourselves of our responsibility to care for those who have given so much for our safety and freedom. We remember those who have fallen, we think of those who are struggling, and we empower those on a trajectory to recovery.

This is a special day for our community and we stand together for them.

Lest we forget.

Janna Voloshin, Chief Executive Officer

Hear from some of the V Centre Participants:

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