A new memorial space honouring veterans, war widows and pioneer Jessie Mary Vasey was officially opened on Monday 23 March at Vasey RSL Care’s Brighton East Residential Aged Care facility.
The “Honouring Their Service” Memorial was officially opened by Ryan Batchelor MP, Upper House Member for Southern Metropolitan, during a special afternoon attended by residents, veterans, RSL representatives, staff and members of the community. Guests gathered to share stories and reflect on the legacy of service and sacrifice while enjoying a gaze at the new memorial.
The memorial was made possible through a $30,000 grant from the Victorian Government under the Victoria Remembers funding stream. The project transformed an underused space on the ground floor of the residential aged care facility into a dedicated memorial installation and gathering place for reflection and remembrance.
Chief Executive Officer Janna Voloshin said the organisation was grateful for the support that made the project possible. “We are very grateful to the Victorian Government for providing the funding that allowed this vision to become a reality,” Ms Voloshin said.
“We are incredibly proud that our Brighton East site now has a beautiful and meaningful space where residents, families and visitors can come together to commemorate the service and sacrifice of veterans, war widows and the enduring legacy of Jessie Mary Vasey.”
The memorial honours veterans who have served in the Australian and allied forces, while also recognising the contribution of war widows and the remarkable legacy of Jessie Mary Vasey, whose vision in establishing Vasey Housing in the 1950s laid the foundation for the work of Vasey RSL Care today.
Vasey RSL Care Board Chair Mike O'Meara OAM said the memorial was an important reminder of the organisation’s heritage and purpose. “As an organisation we are growing rapidly in response to the increasing demand for our services,” Mr O’Meara said. “We must always look to the future, but never turn our back on the past” Mr O’Meara said.
Today, Vasey RSL Care continues that legacy as one of Australia’s leading providers of ex-service accommodation, care and support. The organisation delivers affordable housing across eight metropolitan and three regional locations, home care services for older Australians wishing to remain in their own homes, and residential aged care services in Brighton, Brighton East, Bundoora and Frankston South. Vasey RSL Care also operates The V Centre Veteran Empowerment Program in Ivanhoe, supporting veterans through programs focused on wellbeing, connection and recovery.
The new memorial will provide residents, veterans and visitors with a meaningful space to reflect, remember and honour the service and sacrifice of those who have served for years to come.
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Photo caption: Vasey RSL Care Board Chair Mike O’Meara OAM and Ryan Batchelor MP officially opening the “Honouring Their Service” memorial at Vasey RSL Care’s Brighton East Residential Aged Care facility.
Contact details:
Heidi Flower, Government Relations and Media Adviser, Vasey RSL Care
M: 0436 609 385