A VETERAN Assistance Centre is set to open in the Gannawarra shire.
The new centre has been initiated by the Military Brotherhood Military Motorcycle Club in partnership with the Kerang and District RSL and will open on Remembrance Day.
Shayne ‘Mozzie’ Mostyn, who is the vice president of the MBMMC Vic North sub branch, as well as the welfare officer for the Kerang and District RSL, said the RSL would provide the venue for the centre, with club members supplying “the manpower”.
Mr Mostyn said up until now veterans in need of assistance were referred to services in other towns.
“Currently anyone in the Gannawarra with any sort of issue with entitlements or mental health has to be sent to Swan Hill or Moama,” Mr Mostyn said.
“We’ve got nothing here at all.”
The new centre, which will initially be open two days a month, aims to offer a range of services.
“A lot of the day-to-day stuff, like online applications and information about what help is available, can be done by someone who knows how to do it,” Mr Mostyn said.
Mr Mostyn, who spoke at the ANZAC Day ceremony in Kerang this year about veteran suicide, post traumatic stress disorder and the feeling of loss that ex-service personnel experience after leaving the forces, said the centre catered to all veterans and their family members.
“They are welcome to call in for a brew, a game of pool and a chat,” Mr Mostyn said.
“And more often than not, a chat with like-minded people can make you feel so much better,” he said.
As a new initiative, the centre would also help establish how much need there was in the area for veteran services.
“The best case scenario is that nobody needs it,” Mr Mostyn said.
While the MMBC might look like your typical motorcycle club, beneath the tough exterior of its members beat big, soft hearts.
The national club, which has sub branches in most Australian states, raises money for veteran causes, visits veterans in hospitals and care facilities and assists veterans and their families with entitlements.
The Veterans Assistance Centre will have its opening at the Kerang RSL on Monday.
The officail opening will take place following the 11am Remembrance Day service.
Everyone in the community is invited to attend.
