Save our Heroes: NSW Veterans Wellbeing Centre opens for ex-Diggers and families

Kane Hall survived Afghanistan and driving over an IED, but lost four of his mates. Then came the real battle to fit back into society.

Kane Hall survived driving over an improvised explosive device during his deployment in Afghanistan — but the real nightmare began when he returned home.

The IED incident, along with the loss of four mates, led to his discharge in 2012 after nearly five years of service.

“I discharged into a civilian job at a welding factory, but that was short lived as I had a big meltdown,’’ he said.

“Shortly after that I was diagnosed with PTSD. It then took me a few years to stabilise myself and develop some tools to help me improve my mental health.

“I am still on that journey.’’

Kane Hall next to his Bushmaster armoured vehicle in Afghanistan in 2011. Picture: Supplied by Kane Hall

The Australian Defence Force has more than 89,000 service members and about 6000 leave each year, often with post-traumatic stress disorder alongside depression and addiction.

More than 500 veterans have died by suicide, which outnumber the soldiers lost on battlefields.

However, veterans such as Mr Hall are hopeful the suicides will reduce with the opening of a new Veteran Wellbeing Centre on the south coast today.

The Nowra facility is one of six sites across Australia to get a slice of a $30 million program announced before the 2019 election, and the only one located in NSW. It will connect veterans and their families with the help they need, whether their injuries are physical, emotional, mental or just struggling to readjust to civilian life.

Veteran Kane Hall at Wollongong Harbour. He is heading up a dedicated support centre for mental and physical wellbeing. Picture: Simon Bullard.

Mr Hall – who is also the Veteran Support Co-ordinator for RSL LifeCare – said he knows how important it will be having a “one-stop-shop” service directory is for veterans facing hardship.

“There are many great services out there for veterans to access, but they are fractured and can be difficult to find, especially when you are struggling. That is where we come in,” Mr Hall said.

“We are able to provide a physical place for veterans, ADF members and their families to come and seek help, information, or to just hang out and have a chat over a coffee.”

The centre’s opening comes only weeks after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a royal commission into veteran suicide.

That followed The Daily Telegraph’s Save Our Heroes campaign.