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Launceston, TASMANIA

Service helps keep veterans and widows in their own homes

Enabling older veterans and widows/widowers to stay at home longer is the aim of a project being run by a volunteer branch of Tasmania's Vietnam Veterans' Association.

The project, offering affordable home maintenance and repairs to those veterans identified as most in need, was developed by retired builder, Kerry Wise, who was looking to contribute something to his community.

"Kerry thought it would be good if he could help out some of the older diggers, so he got together a group of veterans and formed the Launceston Veteran Support Group," says the group's current secretary Michael Wheldon.

"In the beginning they just cut lawns and did things for two or three people they knew needed a hand, but today we have about 50 customers."

The support group charges about $15 for its service - money that goes back into maintaining and purchasing equipment.

"Our members feel like they're contributing to the community and really enjoy getting together every week. We meet at nine o'clock for coffee and to allocate jobs then we come back about 12 o'clock for lunch and a couple of beers. That's where we get our support."

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According to Michael, the Launceston Veteran Support Group benefits the community in many ways. "People who might have been forced to leave their homes because things were getting too much for them can now continue living independently," he says.

During the course of its existence the Launceston Veterans' Support Group has formed partnerships with other local organisations. Volunteers are recruited through word of mouth and the group stores its tools at the Launceston RSL, where it also has a workshop to keep the equipment clean and maintained.

Michael says the key to his group's success is that there's no boss. All members work together cooperatively, making the volunteer experience enjoyable for all. "I collect the messages from the RSL every week and post them on the noticeboard so the blokes know what has to be done ... but I'm not in charge, none of us are."

The secretary says the support group is now a vital link in a network of people working towards maintaining the health and well-being of the veteran community. "If we visit someone we feel is struggling and could do with a hand we contact the RSL welfare officer and they see what they can do. At the same time, if someone hears of one of our veterans going into hospital, we'll pop around and do their lawns while they're away. We all work together," he says.

Value of volunteers

Project: providing home maintenance and repairs for the disabled and elderly through a veterans support group.

Grant value: $11,760

Community benefits: allows elderly veterans and widows/widowers to remain living at home, provides companionship and reduces social isolation for younger veterans.

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