Family Recovery Centre opens in Hobart: Returned soldiers in Tasmania to benefit from Mates4Mates charity
Tasmania's high rate of recruitment for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has prompted a charity to open a recovery centre for returned service personnel.
Mates4Mates opened a Family Recovery Centre in Hobart today - its first outside Queensland.
A growing number of veterans moving to the state are also expected to benefit from the centre.
The charity was started by the RSL in Queensland to provide support to wounded, injured or ill current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families.
Chairman Peter Davies said there was a significant need for the service in Tasmania.
"More than 13,000 current and ex-Defence personnel reside in Tasmania," he said.
"We know that a significant percentage of these and their families have been touched by traumatic experiences and can benefit from our services."
Veteran Josh Weir served in Iraq and Papua New Guinea before returning home to Tasmania.
He said spending time with other returned soldiers who were able to understand his struggles was invaluable.
"That camaraderie and meeting fellow veterans that are in a similar spot and being able to share our experiences and heal," he added.
"You're never a civilian, you're just an ex-serviceman and that's pretty much instilled in you for the rest of your life."
Tasmania a 'significant' recruiting centre
Tasmania provides more ADF recruits per capita than any other state or territory in the country.
The state has also become a haven for interstate veterans, many of whom are struggling with mental health issues.
The new centre in Hobart provides physical rehabilitation services and counselling for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and will also be a training base for adventure challenges like trekking the Kokoda Track.
"The Hobart Family Recovery Centre includes a gym, medical and psychological support services, drop-in centre and training programs for adventure challenges like sailing on Spirit of Mateship," said Mr Davis.
The state branch of the RSL threw its support behind the initiative.
President Robert Dick said the centre, located in the Hobart suburb of Moonah, has been widely supported throughout the city.
"We got an overwhelming ovation from our RSL sub branches at our state congress earlier this year when we formally announced Mates4Mates was establishing a Hobart Family Recovery Centre," he said.
"Other organisations in Tasmania, including PCYCs and football clubs, have also offered support."
