A VOLUNTEER-driven service which supports Limestone Coast veterans and their families has celebrated its 20th year of operation.
The South East Veterans Information Centre operates from a small office at the Mount Gambier Community RSL where it has made a big impact on the veteran community.
Working with veterans on pension claims to general welfare issues, the support network was first formed following a roundtable discussion between 12 community groups.
“We had three meetings and on the third it was decided veterans needed an outlet other than the RSL,” centre volunteer Mel Tilley said, adding veterans had expressed they did not want to rely solely on the RSL.
“That is when Community Health gave us an office and I was elected to go there as I was already a pensioner.”
Mr Tilley said the organisation started in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays with little resources.
“There was no computer, no phone – eventually we got the equipment and about five weeks later Community Health came in and told me this bloke was looking for a job,” he said.
“It turned out to be Lloyd (Tilley) and I asked him if he could work his way around a computer.
“When he said yes, I put him on it and it has been his job ever since.”
The organisation eventually moved to the RSL where it has been stationed ever since, with clients flowing through its doors.
“It has been 20 years and we have taken care of the welfare of the veterans and widows of veterans,” Mr Tilley said.
“Mainly it is their pensioning applications but sometimes it goes beyond that and leads more into their welfare.
“It sometimes even goes as far as organising travel or medical appointments for them.”
Mr Tilley said volunteers were committed to the job because it “needs to be done”.
“If we can do anything to help we would do it,” the dedicated member said.
“Overall I think we are very proud of what we have done here.”
Catering for the Limestone Coast, the organisation has delivered strong advocacy for veterans over two decades.
“We will fight the claims for as long as we can as there are three different processes if the claim is knocked back the first time,” Mr Tilley said.
“Before our work the veterans had nowhere else to go as they would have to go to Adelaide to fight their case for the pension.
“A lot of them either did not know how to or did not want to do it so this was set up to help and support them.”
Mr Tilley said some veterans found it difficult to speak to others over the phone, limiting their chances at rebutting the rejected decision.
“There would be lots of money on their claim form but they could not be bothered following it through,” he said.
“Once they bring it to us we can help them through the process and call up the department and explain what went wrong and most of the time we would get the money back.”
Also hosting a coffee morning most days at the RSL, Mr Tilley said it allowed the veterans to meet in a social setting.
“It first started off with five or so of us meeting at one man’s house,” he said.
“But once it grew to around 10 people we thought we better move it because we cannot all fit.”
Proud of the work the organisation has accomplished over the years, Mr Tilley said it had been a rewarding role.
“If I turned my back on it now I could walk away knowing that it has been a successful road.”
