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Salute to Service expands operations to Townsville to support veterans back to civilian life

A veteran support service is expanding to Townsville, after demand from residents of Australia’s largest garrison city.

Salute for Service veteran engagement officer Mollie Gray and CEO Marc Diplock. Picture: Evan Morgan
Salute for Service veteran engagement officer Mollie Gray and CEO Marc Diplock. Picture: Evan Morgan

A veteran support service is expanding to Townsville, after demand from residents of Australia’s largest garrison city.

After opening their first ever Veteran Wellbeing Centre in Brisbane, Salute for Service are extending their services to the North.

With Townsville home to more than 14,000 veterans, chief executive of the organisation Marc Diplock said the new centre would provide a different model compared to other veteran groups, with a focus on one-on-one consultations and helping veterans integrate back into society.

“There’s already good medical practices in Townsville but it’s quite fragmented, but there’s a lack psychiatrists, psychologists , GPs, nurses in the veteran field,” he said.

Salute for Service veteran engagement officer Mollie Gray and CEO Marc Diplock. Picture: Evan Morgan
Salute for Service veteran engagement officer Mollie Gray and CEO Marc Diplock. Picture: Evan Morgan

“With some of our health partners, we are going to be delivering this all from one location, a place where veterans can walk into and not have to deal with 20 different agencies.”

“As much as we don’t want three veteran centres in Townsville, it’s about doing things differently, in a new way to get better results for the veteran community.”

Mr Diplock said the stats are alarming, showing half of veterans report difficulties adjusting to civilian life, struggling with issues such as finding work, isolation and deteriorating mental health.

He hopes the new hub will be a circuit-breaker and allow more options for those wanting to seek help.

“It’s very hands on, very one on, very veteran focused,” he said.

“For those who have been in the military for 20 odd years, they are indoctrinated in that way of life. It’s about helping change that mentality.”

For more information visit saluteforservice.org.au

Originally published as Salute to Service expands operations to Townsville to support veterans back to civilian life

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/salute-to-service-expands-operations-to-townsville-to-support-veterans-back-to-civilian-life/news-story/6caf5a80430800b10e4a113fb3c0fcb9