Bunbury RSL young veterans engagement

The Bunbury RSL is engaging in a program to encourage young veterans to get involved. The program is the brainchild of Brett Hansen, a US army veteran who served in Iraq and Dane Greenstreet, an Australian army veteran who served in many different theatres including East Timor and Afghanistan.

The idea was born through many lengthy discussions between the two about the lack of support post-discharge and the lack of engagement with local veterans in the Southwest of WA.

The two worked out that the Bunbury RSL did not need to change, but extend their services to include more activities that will engage the younger crop of veterans to ensure the future of the RSL and to provide connection and support for local veterans and their families.

They have set about in achieving this in two ways. Firstly, they have engaged with a local employment service, Forrest Personnel, who is in a position to put a lot of support behind the RSL and young veterans in the community. It is the intent for the employment service to provide veterans with the full spectrum of job find services and assistance including;

• Recognition of competency

• Resume writing

• Cover letter assistance

• Interview preparation, and

• General job readiness skills.

These have been identified as areas that may be lacking for those transitioning out of the ADF, as it may have been many years since veterans have had to do a formal interview, if ever. There is also plans for future expansion of services including a programme specially targeted at health and well-being so that veterans transition experiences are more positive. The ultimate outcome to be that the veterans are in a better, more positive position to then be able to focus on employment and all the benefits that come with it.

The other aspect that the men want to attack is social engagement of veterans and their families. They intend to achieve this by hosting events both at local venues and within the RSL, which has already commenced with the introduction of a monthly coffee catch up at Caf-fez, a locally owned business in Bunbury who have been more than willing to support the venture. The coffee catch ups are an open invitation to all local veterans and their families to come down and share a brew in a relaxed environment and link in with other likeminded families. So far the group has been small but enjoyable and it is predicted to grow once word gets around in the veteran community.

It is also the intent to have social family days at various locations around the Southwest that will provide activities for families and also some activities that will cater more towards veterans and their partners.

As with all things, this had to start small but the boys have commenced fundraising bbqs to be able to fund the current events and hopefully provide free days out for families into the future. So if you see them about please stop in and have a chat about their plans and future activities.