An army veteran whose 27-year career included numerous overseas tours says joining an RSL sub-branch has helped him cope with his experiences.
Shaun Graham was a teenager when he enlisted in 1988.
"It doesn't have to be the same experience, but you share similar experiences, you speak the same language," he said.
Mr Graham has since become the Dubbo RSL sub-branch's president and welfare and advocacy officer.
He is among a group of ex-servicemen and women who have helped to establish a drop-in centre for veterans in NSW's western region.
The drop-in centre at 79 Bultje Street is a space not only for veterans to meet and chat but also a private space where they can access services and seek help about connecting with mental health professionals and programs.
"I think the perception generally, particularly from younger veterans, is that the RSL is all old blokes and beers," Mr Graham said.
"But it's more than that, it's about getting together as a community of veterans and looking after one another, having each other's backs, and if they are experiencing problems, we help them out, we're there for them."
More hubs needed
The federal government committed $30 million in 2019 to develop a network of six veteran wellbeing centres across Australia in partnership with ex-service organisations.
A further $46.7 million was budgeted in October last year for the expansion of eight more veterans' and families' hubs across Australia, which are expected to be operating by 2026.
The hubs deliver integrated support to veterans and families and offer a one-stop shop for services including wellbeing support, advocacy, employment and housing advice, social connection and physical and mental health.
However, Mr Graham said the western region needed support now, which was why the drop-in centre opened 12 months ago.
"We decided to do it alone because we were in a position to do that," he said.
"We found this house, bought it and set it up, and we try to keep it open as many hours as we can and encourage veterans from all over the region to come in and have a cuppa."
The sub-branch has established a library and lounge room where veterans and their families can meet, a kitchen, a computer room, a community garden and a shed and barbecue area for regular social catch-ups.
Helping younger veterans
Not only does the RSL-sub branch organise Anzac and Remembrance Day in its community, it is integral to promoting the importance of remembrance, particularly to younger generations.
Dubbo RSL sub-branch secretary Bill Greenwood said the group had visited a juvenile justice centre to talk about their experiences.
Eight months later one teenager wrote to say he'd joined the army to escape the cycle of peer pressure in his town.
"We now look at the advantages of our position and we want to leave a legacy for the younger veterans," he said.
"To make sure it's not a celebration for us, for anybody, it's a commemoration of World War I, World War II, Vietnam, Malaysia, Afghanistan, it's about remembering what they did for our country."
Everyone welcome
The Dubbo RSL sub-branch is encouraging anyone passing through or from neighbouring towns who has been involved with the Australian Defence Force, to drop in.
"The analogy we like to use is the blank cheque," Mr Graham said.
"When you sign on to any of the three services within the Australian Defence Force in general, you sign a blank cheque to the Commonwealth of Australia, to do basically what they will with your life.
"That brings everyone together because everyone who makes that commitment and literally signs their life away, you have that camaraderie for life.
"That's what we're trying to do here, to bring everyone together because of that common background and experience."
