Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent says everyone in the community can join in the fun and get healthier during Veterans Health Week, which runs from Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 October.
Mr Broadbent said the theme for this year’s Veterans’ Health Week was ‘physical health’.
“During Veterans Health Week, our local veterans, war widows, widowers, current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families are encouraged to participate in events celebrating the importance of healthy living,” he said.
“Veterans’ Health Week supports initiatives that keep people connected with their friends, families and communities and provides an opportunity to make new connections through a common cause.
“Playing sport and regular exercise is good for physical and mental health and I encourage all those in our current and ex-service community, as well as the wider McMillan community to find a fun Veterans’ Health Week event and to get involved.”
Local organisations involved in activities include the Leongatha RSL Sub-Branch (Ph. 5662 2012) and the South Gippsland & Phillip Island TPI Social Group (Ph. 5674 2060).
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has a range of health information, resources and support services for serving and ex-serving members, including:
• the Heart Health Program which aims to help increase physical health and wellbeing through practical exercise, nutrition and lifestyle management support. The program runs for 52 weeks and includes 12 health educational seminars and two individually tailored physical activity sessions per week, as either a group or an individual training program.
• the ability to obtain a referral from their GP to see an Exercise Physiologist to help develop an exercise plan for at home workouts, aimed at assisting the self-management of an accepted condition.
• the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) that may provide eligible veterans access to items to help get them back playing sport and being active, including prosthetic recreational sports aids and adaptive sports aids.
For more information on any of this support, visit www.dva.gov.au or phone 133 254.
