If elected in March, a Malinauskas Labor Government will invest up to $250,000 to build a customised garage and vehicle workshop to support veterans coping with mental health and PTSD challenges resulting from their service.
The garage will be co-located with Willo’s Men’s Shed and would serve veterans who have returned from the Afghanistan and other Middle East conflicts who are finding the return to civilian life difficult.
Making the announcement today (February 14th), which is National Servicemen’s Day, a day set aside to honour those who have served our nation through compulsory military service, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Blair Boyer said,
“For many of these veterans the recent withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan has served as a grim reminder and a point for reflection on their service.”
“There is also a need for more support for veterans living in the northern suburbs of Adelaide.”
Shadow Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton said,
“The garage would provide a welcoming place where veterans can relax, socialise and enjoy working on vehicles for therapy, social connection and recreation.
“The shed would also include a quiet area and small private consulting rooms where counselling and mental health support can be provided.”
Jonny Spicer, a veteran of several tours to Afghanistan over the past twenty years and now Director of the Black Ops Veterans Garage, has been advocating for more support for veterans in the north of Adelaide for some time.
Mr Spicer came up with the concept of a garage where veterans can meet and work together on projects such a car restorations and vehicle projects.
“I have been overwhelmed the support I have received from so many local people and organisations for this project,” said Mr Spicer
“Ahrens Engineering, Rotary, Willo’s Mens Shed, the Town of Gawler and Tony Piccolo MP have been so helpful to me and the Black Ops guys to find a way to try and make this happen.”
Local Member of Parliament Tony Piccolo who has been pushing for this project said,
“It is proposed that the garage be co-located at the same site as the Willo’s Men’s Shed in Little Paxton Street at Willaston, which is sensible and allows for collaboration of activities between the two organisations and also the sharing of common facilities,” said Mr Piccolo.
“Members of Willo’s Men’s the shed have been consulted and are fully supportive of this initiative.”
Dave Clarke from Willo’s Men’s Shed said it made sense to locate the Veteran’s Garage on the same site at Willaston,
“We welcome the veterans with open arms. We have plenty of space and can share amenities and the team are more than happy to help out when the time comes with carpentry and other trade skills to get the shed up and running.”
“I believe both groups will be able to support each other in many ways. We have older members that can listen and talk to Jonny and his crew and they could also attend our health talks that we stage throughout the year. These vary from Heart Health to Mental Health and many more topics.”
Mark Smeaton who is President of the Rotary Club of Gawler and also a Construction Director at Ahrens Engineering said,
“After being introduced to the Black Ops group and hearing about the challenges that are faced by return servicemen, we feel there is a need for further support outside of what is currently available through the Australian Defence Force.”
With this in mind, our Club believes the Black Ops Association and the proposed “Garage Project” to be of significance and we are committed in supporting them to make the project a success.