As we gather to commemorate ANZAC Day (25th April), Lives Lived Well would like to invite local veterans and their families to take part in a wreath-making activity—creating a wreath they can take with them to lay at their local ANZAC Day service, in honour of the service and sacrifice of the ANZACs.

“ANZAC Day is a significant occasion for our nation, commemorating the bravery and commitment of all who have served and those who continue to serve,” stated Lauralie Knight, Centre Manager at the Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub.

“We warmly welcome all local current and former ADF members, reservists, their families, and carers to participate in our upcoming free wreath making workshop.”

The wreath making workshop will run from 9am to 11am on Wednesday 23 April at the Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub at 12 King Street, Caboolture.

“The wreath workshop participants will make wreaths to lay on ANZAC Day. Since World War I, wreaths have been laid to remember those Australians who died in service during wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations,” Lauralie added.

“We want to offer a space for attendees to share their experiences and engage with fellow veterans and their families. We encourage families to participate in this activity to promote a sense of connection and history among younger generations.”

The general public is also encouraged to find their local ANZAC Day service to attend.

The Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub is dedicated to supporting veterans and their families, offering a range of social and wellbeing services to enhance their quality of life.

For more information or to RSVP, please email vwc@liveslivedwell.org.au. Veterans and their families are also welcome to drop into the Hub anytime during business hours.

About the Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub
The Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub in Caboolture, operated jointly by Lives Lived Well and the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (Queensland Branch), is a purpose-built facility offering social and wellbeing support for veterans and their families. Whether people in the veteran community seek a friendly conversation over coffee, access to wellbeing resources, or simply wish to connect with others who understand their experiences, they will find a welcoming environment at the Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub.

A purpose-built 28-bed centre providing specialist alcohol and other drug treatment for the Wide Bay community officially opened on 26 March 2025.

Funded by Queensland Health, the new Bundaberg adult residential rehabilitation and withdrawal service will be operated by Lives Lived Well, offering comprehensive support to individuals aged 18 and over experiencing problematic substance use.

The state of the art centre includes 20 residential rehabilitation beds, an eight-bed withdrawal unit, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, a reception area, office space, staff accommodation, parking, a treatment program area, and kitchen and laundry facilities.

Clients will have access to a voluntary, live-in program that includes withdrawal management, rehabilitation, and therapeutic support tailored to individual needs. The service also offers culturally safe care for First Nations people and promotes connection, community reintegration, and healing.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the residential treatment service was a gamechanger to support adults in the Wide Bay region to overcome problematic alcohol and other drug use.

“Making sure Queenslanders can get specialist support when they need it is crucial to their journey from addiction,” Minister Nicholls said.

“Lives Lived Well has strong experience as a provider of alcohol and drug treatment to operate this new Bundaberg centre.

“Their expertise will make a real difference to the long-term health and wellbeing of those seeking help.”

Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the new service was essential for the Wide Bay area.

“We know, that with the right care, we can address the complex needs of individuals experiencing problematic alcohol and other drug use,” Mr Bennett said.

“It’s a privilege to stand here today and join our amazing health heroes and Lives Lived Well partners to officially open the service.

“Residential rehabilitation and withdrawal services benefit communities by offering earlier access to more structured and intensive treatment, enabling individuals to make positive behavioural changes and reduce stress on families.

“Lives Lived Well will be working closely with the Hospital and Health Service and other local services and stakeholders to deliver and facilitate the care people need, closer to home.”

Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles said the organisation was proud to operate the new residential and withdrawal service.

“We are pleased to have stewardship of this facility and to be able to deliver evidence-based care in such a therapeutic environment,” Mr Giles said.

“Having the right support at the right time can make a big difference in recovery. With this service now available closer to home, people in the Wide Bay region have a safe space to make positive changes and build a foundation for lasting recovery.

If you or someone you know is facing alcohol or drug challenges and lives in Bundaberg or the surrounding Wide Bay region, help is available.

Visit www.liveslivedwell.org.au/our-services/live-in-recover/wide-bay-recovery or call 1300 727 957 to learn more about this service.

We appreciate the patience and support of our clients and community during the temporary closure of some of our offices due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. We’re happy to share that all offices have now reopened.

A huge thank you also to our staff for their dedication and teamwork over the past fortnight. From preparing for the cyclone’s impact to ensuring services could safely resume, your efforts have been invaluable. While services are returning to normal, there’s still some work ahead—remedial cleaning, replacing ceiling tiles, and final repairs.

We know this has been a challenging time for many, and we truly appreciate the understanding and resilience shown by our staff, clients, and the wider community.

If you have any questions about upcoming appointments or need to schedule a time with our team, please call 1300 727 957 or email info@liveslivedwell.org.au. We’re here to help.

Veterans will soon have better access to the support they need, closer to home, with the Northern Adelaide Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub set to open in mid-2025. Led by Lives Lived Well and funded by the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Hub will provide dedicated wellbeing services and social connection opportunities for veterans, serving defence members, and their families.

On Thursday 6 March 2025, we welcomed Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh, and Federal Member for Spence, Matt Burnell MP, to the future site of the Hub at The Playford Health Hub in Elizabeth Vale. They joined representatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and members of the veteran community to tour the site and discuss the critical role the Hub will play in supporting veterans and their families in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

A purpose-built hub for veterans and their families

To ensure the Hub meets the needs of the veteran community, Lives Lived Well conducted extensive market research and worked closely with veterans, ex-service organisations (ESOs), and community representatives. The Playford Health Hub site was selected for its accessibility, connectivity to key services, and welcoming environment.

Located close to RAAF Base Edinburgh, the expansion of the Hub network into Adelaide’s northern suburbs will see almost 11,000 local veterans and families access improved specialist services close to home.

Opening timeline and next steps

• Construction begins this month.
• Final approvals and fit-out will follow.
• The Hub is expected to open in late June or July 2025, pending approvals.

Lives Lived Well would like to thank and acknowledge everyone who has supported this Hub establishment so far and all those who joined us last week to mark this milestone. A special acknowledgment to Legacy South Australia and Broken Hill for their support.

You can learn more about the Hub at https://www.liveslivedwell.org.au/adelaide-veterans-and-families-wellbeing-hub/.

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