* 31 May 2022 *
We were delighted to have Mrs Jessie Mary Vasey’s granddaughter, Liz Vasey Koschitske speak at the Official Opening of our Wodonga Ex-Service Accommodation, and declare the units open by cutting the ribbon.
“This was an important opportunity for us to meet with the organisations supporting veterans in the Wodonga region,” says Chair of the Vasey RSL Care Board, Mike O’Meara OAM. “We were made to feel very welcome by this community and it is clear that there is a need for affordable accommodation for the veteran population in this region, as elsewhere.”
Mike talked to guests about our strategic plan to expand support to regional veterans and war widows, with Wodonga being our first location outside Melbourne/Geelong.
We were delighted to have Wodonga Mayor, Cr Kev Poulton and state member for Benambra, Bill Tilley MP (himself a veteran) say a few words about the veteran community and the accommodation situation in the region.
Liz Vasey Kosckhitzke cuts the ribbon, with (from left) General Manager Property Services Steve Best, Board Vice Chair Barry Lee, CEO Janna Voloshin, Board Chair Mike O’Meara OAM, and General Manager Veteran Services Chris Gray.
Liz Vasey Koschitzke lives locally and spoke passionately about the importance of the work her grandmother began after World War II and how meaningful it is to her to see her legacy continuing through Vasey RSL Care.
Our sincere thanks go to all who attended the opening, from local government, Albury and Wodonga RSL sub-branches, RSL Victoria state executive and senior management, current serving ADF members from the local ADF base, staff from Soldier On, Open Arms, and the Hume Veterans who we are already working with.
“We are committed to our strategy to encompass the veteran community right across Victoria, and we look forward to strengthening our ties with Wodonga,” says Mike.
Mike, Janna and Chris met with many of the local ex-service organisations at the Hume Veteran Information Centre, visited RSL Sub-Branches at Wodonga, Albury and Wangaratta, met with ADF personnel at the local base, with local MP, Mr Bill Tilley, and with Wodonga Mayor, Kev Poulton.
One of the messages that came through clearly over the trip was that the three Vasey RSL Care ex-service units were very much in need, and the organisations providing other services were very pleased to have this option available to them.
The trip served to help us get a much fuller understanding of the veteran community in Wodonga and the challenges faced by the local community.
WIN 9 News Reporter, Inga Neilson, interviews Board Chair, Mike O’Meara about Vasey RSL Care’s first step into regional Victoria.
There was an excellent turn out for the Official Opening held in the German-Austrian-Australian Club just nearby.
Liz Vasey Koschitzke spoke with heart about her grandmother’s legacy and her achievements for the ex-service community, especially war widows.
Mayor of Wodonga, Kev Poulton, was welcoming of the organisation to the region.
Bill Tilley MP, state member for Benambra and a veteran himself.
Mike, Janna & Chris meet with the newly elected members of the Wodonga RSL Sub-branch committee.