The following residents of the ACT draw the attention of the Assembly to the following: Since its establishment in 2016, SCVS has operated as a not-for-profit charity offering a safe and welcoming space for male and female veterans (serving and ex-serving), police, fire, ambulance, and emergency services personnel, as well as their families. Through mentoring, shared activities, and skill-building opportunities, SCVS combats social isolation, promotes mental wellbeing, and strengthens community connections. However, the Shed has been forced to relocate five times, due to the lack of a stable and suitable location. This ongoing instability is severely limiting SCVS’s ability to operate effectively and support those who need it most. The need is urgent and real:
• 71 veterans in Canberra died by suicide between 2020–2021
• First responders are increasingly impacted by trauma and burnout SCVS provides a community-driven, proactive solution to these challenges—but it cannot continue without a secure base of operations.
Your petitioners, therefore, request the Assembly call on the ACT Government to urgently support the South Canberra Veterans Shed (SCVS) by providing a permanent, affordable, and fit-for-purpose facility so the organisation can continue its vital work supporting veterans, first responders, and their families.