Photo: Western District Newspapers
Cobden businesses are preparing to wrap their collective arms around Australia’s most vulnerable returned service men and women.
The town will provide important short stays for returned Australian Defence Force veterans and their families who have been affected by their service.
‘Heytesbury Haven’ will welcome its first family this weekend and organisers Kathryn and Andrew Stubbings will accommodate them at their bed and breakfast – Heytesbury House.
“This project is something we’re passionate about and we’ve been working with community members involved with Robe to Recovery in South Australia, which already offers these respite stays,” Kathryn said.
“Andrew and I saw what Robe was doing and thought it was such a wonderful idea that we would make it happen in Cobden as well and with the support of other businesses here we’re looking forward to helping as many families as possible.”
Andrew said free accommodation was just one of the ways Heytesbury Haven could help veterans. He said he was hopeful local businesses would consider donating meal vouchers, gifts such as local produce and free access to a variety of local experiences.
“Unfortunately, many of our service men and women return from active service with physical or psychological injuries and struggle to re-enter civilian life – meaning some encounter financial hardship and their quality of life can deteriorate,” he said.
“What Robe has done, and what we are doing, shows affected families how much we do care and how much we appreciate everything that they have done for us.
“Cobden is a caring community. Heytesbury Haven is about showing our veterans and their families some generosity, support and recognition of their service and sacrifices.
“Our hope is that these free opportunities for families to stay and enjoy our community can provide a circuit breaker to help them adjust and move forward with fresh hope.”
Kathryn said Heytesbury Haven was very much in a formative stage and urged businesses and anyone else who would like to support the project to contact her at Heytesbury House.
“Together we can make a difference and give something back to the brave men and women who have struggled since discharge from the ADF,” she said.
