Western NeWs

By K E RRIE DAVIES

Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644

Bart Bassett 0412 955 745

Bart Bassett 0412 955 745

Malama Psarianos 0416 203 777

Noel Rowsell 0424 007 202

Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893

Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown nepeannews@aol.com www.wsnewsgroup.com

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This week you will notice that our front page features a new local initiative for our Veterans: the st Marys Veterans Wellbeing Program.

The Program is a joint initiative of the two local Ex-service Organisations - the st Marys RsL sub-Branch and the Veterans support Centre. While the latter has been at the forefront in providing a quality Advocacy service to veterans for their military-related medical conditions for 26 years, this particular Wellbeing Program will provide opportunities for current serving, ex-serving and transitioning Veterans and their family, to build camaraderie amongst like-minded people.

i wanted to take this opportunity to recognise and applaud all the great work that the team at “the train” do to ensure our Veterans have the opportunity to live their best life.

The dedication of Tony Fryer and the st Marys Veterans is absolutely commendable. They are the most genuine salt of the earth citizens you’ll ever meet. They not only served our nation with pride and dignity, they have continued providing services as volunteers through the st Marys RsL sub-Branch and st Marys Outpost.

The Wellbeing Program is a superb initiative.

it is important that we ensure our local Veterans have outreach programs, help with post-service issues and an opportunity to develop friendships with other veterans.

During their service, our Veterans were told where to go, what to do and how to do it. Their training had a strong focus on precision. When facing life out of service, everyday things can be a challenge to a person who matured and began their adult life whilst in the defence forces.

Many also saw sights that they will never unsee. The Wellbeing Program is a fabulous initiative to assist in all the needs and challenges for our Veterans as well as provide much-needed support for their mental health.

if you are a Veteran or you know of a Veteran who isn’t involved in postservice activities, i encourage you to reach out to the fabulous team at st Marys.

They will welcome you with open arms, of that i guarantee.

The st Marys Outpost motto pretty much sums up what they are all about: “Honour the dead, but fight like hell for the living.”