Veterans launch bold wellness hub at Woolloongabba to ease life as a civilian
A groundbreaking centre has opened on Brisbane’s southside to help war veterans navigate civilian life, sparked by soaring demand for peer-led mental health and transition support.
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A first-of-its-kind wellness hub dedicated to supporting veterans has opened its doors in Brisbane’s inner south, amid skyrocketing demand for mental health, employment, and social support for ex-service personnel.
The Salute for Service Veteran Wellness Centre, officially launched in Woolloongabba this month, is a bold step towards bridging the gap between life in uniform and the often difficult transition back into civilian life.
But what sets this centre apart is its national online support platform called the Veteran’s Toolbox, which has seen a 17-fold increase in use over six months.
That surge, according to Salute for Service CEO and former serviceman Marc Diplock, is a clear signal that veterans are seeking help but they want it delivered by people who truly understand.
Mr Diplock said the Woolloongabba site was a safe space where former defence members can receive help without needing to explain their backgrounds.
“The opening of Salute for Service’s first Veteran Wellness Centre is a proud moment, not just because we now have a building with our name on it, but because it marks the beginning of a different future,” Mr Diplock said.
“This centre isn’t a waiting room, it’s a launch pad.
“This is a place where veterans can walk through the doors and feel understood.
“It’s a place of connection, healing, and direction.”
The Veteran’s Toolbox, originally developed as a digital-first response to post-service isolation and mental health decline, provides ex-ADF members with on-demand access to mental health tools, peer advice, and career readiness resources.
Its popularity has driven the decision to build a physical home for the service — a bricks-and-mortar centre designed by and for veterans.
The centre offers face-to-face mental health check-ins, job readiness coaching, and transition planning, all delivered by fellow veterans. It will also host regular group meetings, social events, and mentoring programs, recreating the camaraderie many say is missing after discharge.
Nearly 45 per cent of Australia’s 581,000 veterans report difficulty adjusting to civilian life and one in three struggles to find employment.
In many cases, the first months after discharge are marked by uncertainty, identity loss, and a lack of support.
Former serviceman and Salute for Service general manager Lachlan Triggs said the centre reflected a growing recognition that leaving the military was often a difficult time.
“Often, the search for purpose and support after leaving service is just beginning,” he said.
“Having a permanent, physical centre allows us to build a foundation of care.”
For many, the combination of technology and face-to-face support — alongside the fact that it’s run entirely by veterans — is what makes the new model so powerful.
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Originally published as Veterans launch bold wellness hub at Woolloongabba to ease life as a civilian
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