Official Opening of RSL Queensland’s Veteran and Family Wellbeing Centre in Brisbane

Member for Brisbane, Mr Stephen Bates MP; Councillor for Marchant Ward, Councillor Fiona Hammond; Returned Services League Queensland State President, Major General Stephen Day DSC AM; Commander 7^th Brigade, Australian Army, Brigadier Michael Say DSC; Commanding Officer, HMAS Moreton, Royal Australian Navy, Commander Fiona Southwood; Department of Veterans’ Affairs Deputy Commissioner Queensland, Ms Tara Hatzismalis; Distinguished guests; Ladies and gentlemen.

I, too, begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today.

Both Graeme and I are very proud of our joint patronage of the Returned and Services League of Australia (Queensland Branch), and it is lovely to see so many supporting today’s event also. Thank you all for being here.

What a great pleasure it is to be present at the opening of what will, no doubt, prove to be an impressive and very valuable service centre for the veteran and Defence communities in the region.

The first of its kind in Brisbane, the RSL Queensland Veteran and Family Wellbeing Centre is not only a bricks-and-mortar site for veterans to make social connections, it will also offer integrated well-being programs for them and their families.

It’s a very timely and beneficial addition to the extensive range of services already provided by RSL Queensland.

Of course, the veteran and Defence community has the support of not just the RSL but all Queenslanders.

Maintaining the wellbeing of veterans, defence force members and their families has great benefits for the collective wellbeing of our State and our nation and is, quite simply, the right thing to do given the sacrifices they have made for us.

RSL Queensland continues to make a huge difference in the lives of those who have returned from service.

The unveiling of the Veteran and Family Wellbeing Centre, offering a tailored suite of services that can support specific individual needs, and groups as well, will undoubtedly add to this continuing effort.

It is holistic in its approach, and will provide employment and advocacy support, physical rehabilitation and mental health support.

It will also hopefully lend a sense of belonging for those who succumb to loneliness or feelings of separation from society.

Our veteran and defence community are held in the highest esteem, and hopefully this purpose-built facility goes some way to demonstrating that.

I’m proud to officially open this wonderful resource.

Thank you.