Australia Zoo to give something back to Veterans and ADF members as part of Federal MP’s initiative
As we celebrate Veterans Health Week, Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace has announced a collaboration with Australia Zoo which will see current and former ADF personnel enjoy a free visit to the popular tourist attraction.
Dubbed the Sunshine Coast Veterans Day, Mr Wallace has worked with local veterans groups and with the Zoo to make entry to Australia Zoo free for card holding veterans and current ADF personnel as well as their partners on 11 October 2018.
Mr Wallace said “Our service men and women put their lives on the line to keep Australians safe. We all owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude, and I am determined to do what I can as your Federal Member of Parliament to give something back. We know that getting out and doing something fun with mates who understand your service can make a big difference to the mental health of current and former service men and women. That’s what Sunshine Coast Veterans Day at Australia Zoo is all about.”
Veterans and current personnel will simply have to show their ADF ID, White or Gold Card to get free all day entry to the Zoo. Australia Zoo is one of the country’s best known wildlife attractions, with more than 1,200 animals and a wide variety of exhibits and experiences to enjoy.
Wes Mannion, Director of Australia Zoo said “Australia Zoo has a long history of supporting our veterans and their spouses and we’re looking forward to welcoming our local service men and women and giving them a great day at the biggest and best wildlife conservation facility in the entire world!”
The initiative is part of a series of activities Mr Wallace has pursued on the Sunshine Coast to support local service men and women. These include his Sunshine Coast Veterans Forum, held in August with Senator Jim Molan, and his Fisher Defence Industry Initiative which, among other objectives, aims to generate greater employment opportunities for former service men and women through the development of a local defence industry. Mr Wallace has also advocated in Canberra for additional Commonwealth support for former ADF personnel to undertake tertiary education.
Mr Wallace said “We have 15,000 veterans living here on the Sunshine Coast, and as a community we should do all we can to show them how much we value their contribution. I am very grateful to Australia Zoo for coming on board and demonstrating how committed they are to our local community and to honouring our service men and women. I can’t wait to meet many more of them on the day.”
For more information, contact the Office of Andrew Wallace MP on (07) 5493 5556 or [email protected].
John Lowis
President
Defence Force Welfare Association (QLD Branch)
Victoria Barracks Brisbane
