RSL Victoria has revealed a High Street location for its veterans and families well-being centre.
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Renovations are already underway at 149 High Street after the RSL purchased the 540 sq m site, formerly the the Regional Investment Centre.
Bandiana Military Area representatives joined RSL Victoria, Hume Veterans Information Centre and other key stakeholders in touring the building for the first time.
RSL Victoria state senior vice president Des Callaghan said the $5 million grant funding would cover the purchase of the building and its fit-out.
"This is the first visit we've had to this Wodonga centre, and it's very exciting," he said.
"In 2020, our service was selected by the Australian Government to receive $5 million in funding to establish the veterans and families well-being centre.
"This is the perfect location to establish a centre; it will give amazing access to services to be delivered by not only by RSL Victoria, but also government and other organisations, such as Soldier On.
"The centre will open hopefully in the second half of next year."
Mr Callaghan recognised the work of Hume Veterans' Information Centre, which will be joining with RSL Victoria to provide services and has provided volunteers to help with renovations.
"Many of these veteran centres were really started off by the Vietnam veterans 40 to 50 years ago, and things have changed," he said.
"We have got the younger cohorts coming through.
"We're excited about this; we've done a lot of projects with RSL sub-branches, but this is the first time we've picked up a project like this, where the government has selected us to deliver it.
"It's going to be great for this area; you have a lot of veterans up here."
IN OTHER NEWS:
The Australian Government committed $30 million in 2019 to develop a network of six Veteran Wellbeing Centres in partnership with ex-service organisations and state governments.
Wodonga's TAFESpace building was originally considered for the centre, and RSL Victoria sought a purchase option from Wodonga Council after councillors originally supported a lease transfer.
Council declined the offer, seeking to keep the building due to its strategic location in the city CBD.
