Wodonga Council agrees to lease transfer for use of TAFESpace building for veterans well-being centre

TAFE operated from the building from 2010 before talks began with council in the role of landlord to either lease out or sell the building, but upon receipt of legal advice such proposed moves were "heavily restricted" due to the terms of the existing lease.

It is presently vacant and the option of becoming a veterans well-being centre gathered pace when RSL Victorian secured $5 million from the federal government to establish a centre in Wodonga.

Cr John Watson successfully moved the lease transfer to RSL Victoria be executed on Monday night.

"It is going to be very visual in our city," he said.

"But the well-being and welfare of our defence force people will be a great thing."

Cr Ron Mildren supported the lease transfer with some wariness.

"I have to support what they are doing and what their purpose is," he said.

"But I do it with some reservation and hope it doesn't come back to haunt us as the recent matter at Logic did."

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Cr Libby Hall also supported the deal despite the venue not being purpose-built.

"Victoria RSL is happy to go ahead so it's not for me to make that decision," she said.

"Council and the community want to see our RSL people catered for."

Cr Olga Quilty said everything should be done to support the well-being of veterans.

"I will be supporting this great cause for the reason that it is a great cause," she said.

The annual rental income received from the lease is $1 per annum, but the tenant is responsible for all outgoings related to the building and all maintenance and insurance.

Meanwhile, Wodonga RSL sub branch has defended its handling of critics on Facebook with face-to-face meetings at the weekend.

"It was considered that the comments made were intended to insult, belittle and denigrate both individuals and the RSL as a whole," president Jim Begley said in a statement.

"As a part of the process the comments were examined to ensure that natural justice and due process was properly followed and to assess whether there could be any constructive and reasonable purposes for the posts.

"The Wodonga RSL is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment for all its members.

"We hope and encourage all persons from all walks of life not to accept trolling and bullying on social media under the guise of free speech.

"We passionately believe this is not what our Anzacs fought for and should not be allowed to go unanswered.

"The behaviour you walk past is the behaviour you accept."

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