Cathy O'Toole (Herbert, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Saturday, 21 October, from 2 pm, Veterans off the Streets Australia, VOTSA, will kick off Veterans' Health Week 2017 by hosting a community sleep-out at Strand Park in Townsville. I will be participating in the sleep-out with my family and staff, as I understand the importance of raising awareness of veterans' health issues. Townsville is the largest garrison city in the country. This is our opportunity to support our veterans and ex-service personnel and their families. I have started a Go Fund Me page which members in the community can visit and donate to: www.gofundme.com/supporting-our-adf-community. All funds that I raise will be donated directly to the Townsville branch of Veterans off the Streets Australia and will go towards assisting our veterans, ex-serving personnel and their families in times of crisis.

VOTSA is a registered for-purpose charity. It was created by veterans and ex-service personnel who saw a need to assist other veterans and their families who were at risk of homelessness. In Townsville, there is a lack of emergency and affordable transitional housing options for those that are struggling financially or suffering mental health injuries. I will continue to fight for our veterans and ex-service personnel. I encourage our community to support the community sleep-out at Strand Park on Saturday, 21 October, from 2 pm. It's a family event, and everyone is welcome.