State and federal government representatives are joining Ex-Service Organisations, veterans and their families in the Central West for a veterans forum in Orange today.
Hosted by the Minister for Veterans David Harris, the forum will be an opportunity for organisations to connect with the region's veteran community and share valuable information on the supports and services available to them.
With more than 5,400 veterans living in the Central West, including Dubbo, veterans, their families, advocates and veteran support organisations are welcome to attend the forum.
The agenda includes presentations from the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs, the National Centre for Veterans' Healthcare, TAFE NSW, Service NSW, Office of Responsible Gambling, and the Commonwealth Department of Veterans' Affairs. There will also be a panel discussion with local Ex-Service Organisations.
The NSW Government is committed to supporting the wellbeing of veterans and their families, and the NSW Veterans Strategy 2025-2030 ensures veterans across NSW are able to receive support, no matter where in the state they live.
The annual veterans' forums are a key deliverable of the Strategy. They enable veterans to be connected to trusted information, and for the NSW Government to listen to the views of the local community, with past forums showing great engagement in Nowra and on the Central Coast.
For more information on veterans' support visit: www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/support/information-services/
Minister for Veterans David Harris said:
"I am pleased to be in Orange for the veteran community forum. I look forward to meeting the veterans and their families who are attending today to share information and hear their views about how we can continue improving support services for them.
"The forum is a unique opportunity for service providers in NSW to come together in one place and connect with the veteran community in the Central West.
"Our annual forums are an important action to come out of the NSW Veterans Strategy 2025-2030. Veterans and their families have told us that it can be difficult to navigate support services, so the forums give veterans in regional areas the chance to both receive and give valuable information face-to-face."
Member for Orange Philip Donato said:
"I'm really pleased the Orange Veteran Community Forum is being held here in our region. It's a great chance for veterans, serving members and their families to speak directly with the Minister and the Department about their experiences and the support they need.
"Our veteran community has given so much, and it's important they have a strong platform to be heard and to help shape future services."
