Guy Barnett,Minister for Veterans' Affairs
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is the strongest supporter of the State's veterans and ex-serving community and we honour their sacrifice which helps protect our freedom and way of life.
One of the best ways we can help our veterans and their families is by supporting positive mental health and wellbeing outcomes, especially by using Tasmania's magnificent outdoors.
Today we can see the results of the original $100,000 in funding provided to the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (Tasmania Branch) to renovate a disused Parks & Wildlife Services hut at Lake Sorell into a contemporary Retreat for veterans and their families, and we commend them on their efforts.
As part of our 2021-22 Tasmanian Budget, we are investing an additional $1.4 million to support our veterans and this includes an additional $100,000 for a training centre and additional facilities at the Lake Sorell Retreat.
In every way this Retreat project has been a real Team Tasmania effort with generous support from the Tasmanian community with significant levels of in-kind donations of material and fittings provided by local companies and individuals.
The result is just magnificent and it has been rewarding the watch this project develop to include a new deck added to the lake side of the property, new windows, flooring, wiring and plumbing.
This highland Retreat will make a material difference to the health and wellbeing of all veterans, and especially our younger veterans, offering a place for them to heal, recover and reconnect.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is determined to support the health and wellbeing of our veterans and their families and this Veterans' Retreat Project and the planned training centre at Lake Sorell provides a practical demonstration of that commitment.
