* 28 August 2023 *

On 14 August, we were delighted to host a visit from Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Defence, The Hon Richard Marles MP, at our Geelong Ex-Service Accommodation (ESA).

With our Geelong ESA situated in Mr Marles’s electorate of Corio, our residents are some of his constituents: the Deputy Prime Minister sat down with residents Ian McNaughton and Bill Westhead, both veterans, to talk about the issues affecting the veteran community.

Mr Marles met with CEO, Janna Voloshin and General Manager Veteran Services, Chris Gray to talk about the need for more support for the issue of veteran homelessness and its causes. This was followed by a tour of the Geelong ESA site, pausing in front of the Memorial to remember all those who have served.

“We were very pleased to have this opportunity to talk with the Deputy Prime Minister about our organisation and our focus on the ex-service community here in Victoria,” said Janna. “Mr Marles had plenty of questions for us about our initiative, The V Centre Veteran Empowerment Program, and we appreciate his interest in this ground-breaking program.”

Pictured Left: (from left) Ian McNaughton, The Hon Richard Marles MP, CEO Janna Voloshin, GM Veteran Services Chris Gray; (rear right) Bill Westhead.

Below: The Hon Richard Marles MP, Chris Gray, Janna Voloshin, Bill Westhead (rear), Ian McNaughton (front).