THE official opening of the Coffs Coast Veterans Wellbeing Centre (CCVWC) on Vernon Street took place on Thursday, 29 January, with the Honourable Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, cutting the ribbon.
Veteran dignitaries in attendance included President of Veterans Centre Mid North Coast Inc, Geoff Harrison; President of the Coffs Ex-Services Club (C.ex) Board, David Doyle; members of the CCVWC Project Team Richard Kelloway, Pat Magann and Steve Sawtell; President of Coffs Coast Legacy, Jeremy Nash; and President of the Coffs Harbour RSL Sub-Branch, John Lloyd.
Minister Keogh spoke about the proven benefits of having support facilities, such as the Wellbeing Centre, available to the veteran community, their families and carers.
He referred to the 2024 Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which highlights the positive difference local care models can make.
“But what’s also become very clear is that navigating those support systems is becoming increasingly more difficult because of [the] myriad different support systems out there,” he said.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is working on improving that navigation.
Minister Keogh also spoke about the collaboration of service types across the region.
He said organisations are working in a “joined up way”, minimising “demarcation disputes around who’s going to do what or trying to do the same thing as each other.”
The partnerships mean that everyone is working for the greater good of the veteran community and their families.
“And that’s exactly what we see here,” he said, pointing to the CCVWC.
“When we look at the entire region, from Grafton to Taree, there’s some 11,000 veterans.
“In the immediate area, there’s some 2,000 veteran families, and we expect that will mean the centre will be able to support some 4,500 individuals.
“That will make an incredible difference to the veterans and their families living across this region.”
Minister Keogh said the Government was very happy to have been able to provide the financial support ($1 million), together with other partners, including C.ex Coffs Harbour, to get the centre off the ground and up and running.
Founder of the CCVWC Project Sub-Committee, Richard Kelloway, thanked the long-time support of Legacy Coffs Harbour and noted that “in due course, the centre will open its doors and facilities to first responders and their families.”
The Minister received a guided tour of the centre along with numerous Coffs Harbour dignitaries, veterans, business people and members of the public.
By Andrea FERRARI
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
