Albany At Ease offers veterans and families support after service with respite in iconic Great Southern region

As Australians prepare to pause and remember on November 11, the work of Albany At Ease is a timely reminder that supporting those who have served our country extends well beyond commemorative services.

Based in WA’s Great Southern region, Albany At Ease is a not-for-profit, community-based volunteer initiative offering respite stays in the peaceful coastal and forest surroundings of Albany and Denmark.

Its purpose is simple but powerful: to provide a break for Australian Defence Force veterans, serving members and their families who are experiencing mental or physical challenges associated with military service.

For those carrying the effects of service, the opportunity to step away from everyday pressures, spend quality time with loved ones and experience the restorative surroundings of the South Coast can be deeply meaningful.

Military service can bring challenges that continue long after a deployment or a person’s formal service has ended.

These experiences can affect not only the individual but also partners, children and the wider family.

Time away from familiar routines can create space to relax, reconnect and enjoy experiences together without the usual pressures of daily life.

For families who have navigated difficult periods alongside a serving member or veteran, that opportunity can be particularly valuable.

Albany At Ease does not claim to replace professional health care or specialist veteran services.

Instead, it provides a complementary form of community support, centred on rest, connection, appreciation and a welcoming environment.

The program reflects the generosity and compassion of the Great Southern community.

Albany At Ease is particularly grateful for the support received through grants from the WA Anzac Day Trust Fund and Black Dog Ride Australia.

The Albany and Denmark RSL sub-branches also provide valuable support, alongside local businesses, community organisations, accommodation providers, volunteers and donors, who all play an important role in welcoming participating families.

Contributions do not need to be large to make a difference.

An accommodation offer, a meal voucher, a local experience, a welcome gift or a financial donation can all help create a memorable respite stay.

By working together, the Albany and Denmark communities demonstrate how appreciation for Australia’s Defence Force personnel can be translated into meaningful action.

Albany holds a special place in Australia’s military history as the departure point for the first convoy of Australian and New Zealand troops during the World War I.

In this setting, Albany At Ease offers a contemporary expression of the Anzac spirit: looking after those who have served and supporting the families who share in the challenges of military service.

Albany At Ease will be at the Albany Agricultural Show on Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14 sharing a stand with Black Dog Ride.

We warmly invite everyone to come along, say hello and learn more about the work we do to support our veterans, serving Defence Force members and their families.