Support for Northbourne Park

Residents in the north-east have received further support to stay in their communities and age well with the expansion of the Northbourne Park Retirement Village, currently under development.

With land sold by the daughters of north-east stalwarts the late Bert and Peggy Farquhar to expand the village, the project was able to get off the ground thanks to a combined $2.86 million in funding from both the State and Federal Governments.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said the project, funded through the Government’s Building Better Regions Program, epitomises the very idea of building a better region.

“A facility of this size not only creates local jobs and increases economic development in the region, it also provides locals with the option to age well in the community which they love,” Mrs Archer said.

“The expansion of the village to meet demand is a testament to the wonderful board of the Northbourne Park Association and its volunteers who have worked so hard to bring their vision to life.”

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As part of the celebrations, Northbourne Park Association chairman Robin Thompson awarded a posthumous Life Membership to Alf Dent and unveiled a special framed photo of Alf, acknowledging his many years of dedication and commitment to Northbourne Park Association.

Fittingly, part of the new expansion will be named Peggy’s Parade in memory of Peggy Farquhar.

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Grade 11 and 12 Legal Studies students from Launceston College recently invited Bridget Archer MP to answer a range of questions from what inspired Ms Archer to enter politics, a typical day in the community and in Canberra and the highs and lows of being a parliamentarian. Photo credit Heath De Haan continued from front page

In recent years, many of the upstairs facilities of their Wellington St location have fallen into a state of disrepair and with the demand on services increasing, the subbranch has been seeking funding to upgrade facilities.

After touring the RSL’s premises and seeing firsthand the need for extensive renovations, Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer secured the muchneeded funds for the RSL after months of advocacy in Canberra.

“The Launceston RSL, like its sister organisations across the country, provides an invaluable service to our return service people and their families,” Mrs Archer said.

“They provide an incredible amount of support to veterans through their in-house advocates and welfare team and is entirely community-focussed, providing support for local veterans’ associations, community groups, sporting clubs and training organisations.

“By upgrading the facilities in Launceston, the sub- branch will be able to provide increased capacity and capability to enable their volunteers to continue to provide vital services and ongoing support to veterans and their families,” said Mrs Archer. hiring out of facilities to the general public.”

Club Secretary Peter Williams worked tirelessly on the project for more than 12 months and says the funding will be a game changer for the sub-branch.

“We have Mates 4 Mates on board now in addition to the services provided by our existing Advocates and Welfare Team and when the upgrades are complete, we can provide veterans and volunteers with a suitable environment, which will go a long way to helping veterans in need. This is first of many changes in Ex-Service Organisation service delivery to veterans across Tasmania.”

The investment was announced as part of the Federal Government’s Veteran Wellbeing Centres funding.

“The upgraded facilities will also increase the financial viability of the Launceston RSL sub-branch by providing an increased income stream through

Part of the renovations include new carpet and fresh paint funded through the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program. Renovations are expected to be completed later this year.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg recently returned to Launceston for a business breakfast hosted by Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer and the Launceston Chamber of Commerce.

Following the breakfast, the Treasurer joined Bridget for a visit to Josef Chromy’s with the Prime Minister, before meeting with members of the northern Tasmanian branch of the Association of Independent Retirees and visiting Tamar Valley Roses and Turner Stillhouse in the West Tamar Region.