‘In the right direction’: RSL focused on pushing Veteran’s health forward

The RSL have planned out a packed slate of activities and opportunities for veterans and their families ahead of Veterans’ Health Week.

Townsville RSL treasurer Scott Klima is looking forward to making connections with other Veterans around Veterans' Health Week. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Townsville RSL has a host of activities for veterans and their families to make new connections around Veterans’ Health Week.

This year the health week runs from October 13-20 with the theme of ‘Keep Connected’.

The ongoing Townsville RSL activities run from this week through to October 27 including a

Show and Shine and Family Expo this Saturday, sailing, a darts competition and paddle boarding.

RSL treasurer Scott Klima said the health week traditionally brought attention issues that affected Veterans post service.

“The health week has been around for a couple of years now, trying to highlight the issues that the veterans have, which are in some ways unique to their life and their experiences,” Klima said.

“Also, to enable some of those veterans who, for whatever reason haven’t reached out for help yet, an avenue to come in and actually touch base with some people touch base with us.

Townsville RSL treasurer Scott Klima is looking forward to making connections with other Veterans around Veterans' Health Week. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We’ll find out what their current situation is in life and put them in the right direction to give them some help.”

“The treasurer said it was important for Veterans to make connections to others who had served.

“It’s really hard to describe the uniqueness of what service life is about, compared to those who have put their whole life in through Civil Street - because it is a service.

“You’re doing things predominantly for others in a collective environment where the whole group is designed and trying to deliver an outcome, and it becomes very much a part of who you are and how you evolve as an adult.

“Once we leave that organisation there is a big gap. I’ve experienced it, my father’s experienced it.

“It’s providing that touch point for people to still be able to connect with people have a similar experience, to have a chat, have a coffee, have a beer and enjoy something that’s allows them to maintain some of that connectivity and have a talk with people that have an understanding of the things that you’ve gone through.”

He said the expos on this Saturday would be an activity highlight where the focus would be on both Veterans and their families.

“It’s so the extension of veterans health work is to the families. That’s a big thing that we’re looking at here strategically from the RSL and the expansion the town is going to have over the next few years.”

For more information of Townsville RSL Veteran Health Week activities go to https://www.townsvillersl.com.au/community/veteran-s-health-week/

Originally published as ‘In the right direction’: RSL focused on pushing Veteran’s health forward