The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has backed a push for the Doreen RSL to find a suitable home.
The sub-branch has been seeking a home for several years but is yet to secure a suitable site.
Ms Broad raised the matter in Parliament, urging the Minister for Veterans to meet with the RSL branch to help find a solution.
The Doreen RSL is Australia’s youngest RSL sub-branch and provides help to a range of ex-service men and women, including a large number of younger Timor, Iran and Afghanistan veterans.
Ms Broad told Parliament that ABS data showed there are 115 serving members of the Australian Defence Force and more than 650 veterans within the suburbs of Doreen, Hurstbridge and Yarrambat.
“The Doreen RSL currently has over 180 members, including many returned service personnel with young children in need of a safe place to meet,” Ms Broad said.
“The branch, together with the Whittlesea Council, has looked at a number of options and is yet to find a suitable premises.
“The Doreen RSL want to honour a promise they made to their first President, the late Whittlesea Councillor John Butler (Ret. Col.) that they would get a place where veterans and the community could go to have a chat and help each other through the good times and the bad.
“It is important to honour our veterans, and I would appreciate the Minister’s support, to meet with the Doreen RSL branch and help find a solution,” Ms Broad said.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
