Exclusive look inside Prince Harry’s Invictus Games HQ at Paddington’s Victoria Barracks
THE eastern suburbs is shaping up to be a royal outpost for Prince Harry and his bride Meghan Markle this October.
Wentworth Courier
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THE eastern suburbs is shaping up to be a royal outpost for Prince Harry and his bride Meghan Markle this October.
Invictus Games organisers are headquartered in Paddington and Darling Point’s Cruising Yacht Club are putting the final touches on a glamorous makeover in time to host the Games’ sailing event as rumours swirl the newlyweds will be staying in a Point Piper mansion.
Organisers of Prince Harry’s defence force veteran Games have been planning the international sporting event from behind the walls of Victoria Barracks.
The barracks has been hosting the team of 50 people for the past few months and will continue to house them until they relocate to Homebush shortly before the event begins.
Meanwhile international media continues to speculate that the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be staying in an opulent eight bedroom home in the same neighbourhood as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Commander Forces Command, Major General Gus McLachlan, confirmed civilian event planners had been based at his historic barracks with a number of eastern suburbs based soldiers also seconded to help out the team.
“You may have seen their very nicely presented Jaguars and Landrovers with Invictus branding on them driving in and out of the barracks. They’re event sponsors and we are all very jealous,” Maj Gen McLachlan said.
“The planning team has been stood up, a bit like it was before the Sydney Olympics or the Commonwealth Games, and we volunteered to act as the host.”
Maj Gen McLachlan said he hadn’t been notified of a visit from the royals but they would be very welcome at Paddington barracks.
“There’s a lot of people at the barracks hoping for that. Since the royal wedding they’re the hottest ticket in town,” Maj Gen McLachlan said.
“I will have no trouble getting volunteers to host the prince and his wife at Victoria Barracks.
“What he has done after his service with Invictus is very deeply appreciated by the military.”
Meanwhile at the CYCA, the host club of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race have released a sneak peek of the revamped clubhouse which will be officially unveiled just in time for the Games.
The nine-month makeover boasts a reimagined floorplan, new cafe, all-weather deck seating options and enhanced accessibility — a must have for the visiting Invictus Games veterans some of who are amputees.
CEO Karen Grega said the new look club would be ready for a royal welcome.
It is hoped the Prince Harry may attend the sailing medal presentation ceremony which will take place at the Darling Point club.
“The new-look Cruising Yacht Club of Australia combines the essence of the former clubhouse with everything people loved in the ‘old’ Club, but with a brighter, more modern look downstairs and an enhanced outlook which maximises the marina and water views,” she said.
“Upstairs the marina and park views are even more spectacular with the polished concrete look making way for spotted-gum timber stairs and feature walls, new Members only bar and lounge complete with fire place and archives area and reimagined functions rooms to accommodate large sit down dinners or smaller more intimate cocktail functions or business meetings.”
In the lead up to the Invictus Games, Maj Gen McLachlan urged eastern suburbs business owners to consider whether a veteran might make the perfect addition to their team.
Veteran unemployment is a growing issue in Australia with many former servicemen and women struggling to negotiate the civilian job market despite their enviable skill sets.
“This is not a philanthropic thing. Veterans are not victims,” Maj Gen McLachlan said.
“Although there are some we need to look after, such as those taking part in the Invictus Games, 90 per cent of them have not been harmed by their service. They want to transfer to something else in the civilian world whether to try something else or for geographic stability for their family.
“They’re loyal, they’re disciplined, they’ve got a great work ethic and I think more businesses would really benefit from hiring them.”
To find out how you can hire a retired serviceman or woman, visit veteransemployment.gov.au