Brigadier Tim Hanna AM: Repat site has bright future in hands of RSL

THE Repatriation General Hospital holds a special place in the hearts of South Australians. As new caretakers of this unique site, the RSL will create a precinct that will honour its history and create a space for the whole community to enjoy.

The Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park.

THE Repatriation General Hospital holds a special place in the hearts of South Australians.

Since 1942, the hospital has delivered services to those who have served our country in Australia and abroad in the past and today, as well as caring for civilians.

The Repat has been the saviour of South Australian lives, but is also a place where many people have said goodbye to their loved ones and friends.

As the peak organisation for veterans in SA, the Returned & Services League sees the Repat as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to further our mission of caring for the health and wellbeing of the Service and ex-Service community, as well as commemorating the sacrifices of the past.

As the new caretakers of this special site, we will create a precinct that will not only honour the more than 70 years of veteran history at the Repat, but create a space for the whole community to enjoy.

At the forefront of our vision for RSL Repat Park is ensuring that the soul of the Repat is maintained. An important part of this is restoring the historic buildings of the Repat, so that they can be enjoyed by new residents as well as the local community.

We will also be looking to strengthen the site’s connection with our veteran history by developing memorials and places of significance, such as a Remembrance Walk with 31 plaques detailing Australia’s military history.

However, it is much more than retaining aspects of the past – we will invest $125 million to redevelop the Daw Park site into a Veterans’ and Community Centre of Excellence.

Our substantial redevelopment will deliver a range of new residential options, as well as private health and community facilities, which will enhance the site’s rich heritage.

The residential component will include aged care housing, including dementia and mental health, retirement living, affordable housing and special housing, including for homeless veterans.

RSL Repat Park will also have a significant health and rehabilitation focus, featuring privately provided health services like allied health care, day therapy, hydrotherapy outpatient services, and primary health care.

New buildings at the site will range from two storeys adjacent Goodwood Rd, up to four storeys in the centre of the site so as not to impact on the surrounding areas.

Open space will be provided with village greens for recreation, while tree-lined boulevards will provide vehicle and pedestrian access, and the site’s significant trees will be incorporated in this design.

Being chosen as the successful Repat applicant is an honour and privilege and we will take the greatest care in transforming the site into a place where South Australians can be proud to live, visit and enjoy.

The local community and, indeed, all South Australians can benefit from the facilities we are developing. We are very excited about the future of this iconic Daw Park site.

Brigadier Tim Hanna AM is state president RSL SA