Teresa Gambaro (Brisbane, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to update the House on a recent visit with Minister Ronaldson, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, to the Mates4Mates family recovery centre in Albion, Brisbane on 18 February. Mates4Mates was launched in March 2013 as an initiative of the Queensland branch of the RSL with a key focus on providing support for wounded, injured and ill current and ex-service personnel. The physical and psychological effects that modern warfare and training have on current and ex-service personnel can have a serious impact on the family unit, and Mates4Mates recognises the need to create a collaborative approach to support not only current and ex-service personnel but family members as well.

The family recovery centre plays a vital role in helping the families by working together with the individual, their family and other professionals involved in their care. It is this approach which makes Mates4Mates recovery centres unique. Mates4Mates currently has three family recovery centres based in Brisbane, Townsville and Hobart where 639 mates are receiving support, with ex-service personnel making up approximately 55 per cent of those supported. Additionally, 95 families currently access the centre for various support services. I would like to thank especially Minister Ronaldson and also Miriam Dwyer, chair of Mates4Mates and CEO of the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation; Peter Davies CBE, managing director of Mates4Mates; and Ricky Dumigan, manager of the Family Recovery Centre in Brisbane.

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