Bathurst RSL Renovate Home to Gift to Local charity

The house would become a home to a local family who had been living out of their car. 

 “We've always had a soft spot for Veritas House and the work that they do, which is why we have supported them for years, but this is a particularly rewarding project,” said Bathurst RSL CEO Peter Sargent. 

“In the nearly 12 years I've been at the club, this is the one that I'm most proud of because on completion, we've actually got a mum and three kids moving into that house, who were living out of their car at the time. 

“We've actually directly provided a home for somebody else.” 

Veritas House is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity that provides a range of flexible services to children, young people, families and foster carers, including supported independent living services. 

“In the nearly 12 years I've been at the club, this is the one that I'm most proud of.”

It took 18 months to fix up the house, which needed a complete re-roofing, stabilisation of the foundations, full bathroom renovations, new carpet, fresh paint as well as $7,000 worth of furnishings and fittings, before the house was ready for the family to move in. 

“We have a significant housing shortage in Australia, and Bathurst is no different,” said Peter, adding that he heard in June-July there were just 47 properties available for rent in Bathurst attracting approximately 250 applications. 

“We had a house sitting there and I suggested to the board that we fix up that house and then offer it to Veritas house.” 

Bathurst RSL has worked with Veritas House for a number of years, supplying ClubGRANTS, food hampers and Christmas meals for clients to support the critical work they do in looking after displaced youth. 

 “We've built an enduring relationship over the years, but I think that this project kind of really symbolises that partnership,” Peter said.