Support services for veterans and families in the Top End have been boosted with the official opening of the Mates4Mates Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre in Stuart Park.
With a range of distinguished guests and local veteran support organisations invited to the formal ceremony, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh officially opened the centre alongside Mates4Mates General Manager, Emma Whitehead.
The new Mates4Mates Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre is located at 39 Stuart Highway, Stuart Park and includes mental health and physical recovery clinical services, a gym, a veterans’ lounge, as well as space for Mates4Mates social connection activities.
Emma Whitehead said the new centre would allow for greater access to essential support and services for Defence personnel, veterans and families in the Northern Territory.
“Over the past 10 years, Mates4Mates has served almost 10,000 veterans and family members, with almost 600 Darwin locals having accessed our services,” Emma said.
“We are committed to creating spaces where veterans and families can access a range of mental health, wellbeing, social connection and physical programs to help their recovery journey.”
The Stuart Park centre complements the first Mates4Mates Interim Centre that was established in 2021 in Palmerston, expanding to meet the high demand for veterans’ support services in the Northern Territory.
"Having services co-located in a building with partner organisations that also serve veterans and family members is really important, because it allows people to access a range of services more easily," Emma said.
"It gives better access to people and makes service navigation a little bit easier for them."
Mates4Mates would like to thank the Australian Government for the $5m contribution from the Department of Veterans' Affairs to help build this Veterans' and Families' Hub in Darwin.
Minister Keogh acknowledged the difference that Mates4Mates has already made in the Darwin community.
“I am looking forward to seeing the Hub enhance the services and support available to local veterans and families,” he said.
To access either of the Northern Territory Mates4Mates centres, all current and ex-serving Defence Force members and their families will need to complete this client form.
Once you have joined, you are welcome to come and go as you need for appointments, programs and social connection activities.
The Mates4Mates Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Talk with our staff about activities which may occur outside of regular opening hours.
Veterans can also join the Mates4Mates Northern Territory Facebook group to stay up to date with what’s happening each week.
To contact the team, please call 1300 4 MATES (62 837) or email vfwc.darwin@mates4mates.org.
Many veterans have difficulty seeking support for their mental health, especially in a face-to-face environment. Practical apps provide veterans with a way to start working on their mental health from the comfort of their own home.
