The secretary of the Nowra RSL Sub-branch Rick Meehan said Centrelink is such a depressing place and not a happy environment.

It may not be a place anyone wants to go but the staff are as pleasant as they can be dealing with government rules and regulations, but if you wish to receive some type of welfare from the government or ask questions this is the place you have to go.

The other comment made by Mr Meehan was that veterans would find it offensive just to walk through those doors and would not want to be seen in the same light.

I find this comment very offensive for all those who use Centrelink. Not all of us had the opportunity or desire to serve in the forces, most of us just become old and go on the aged pension, or have a disability, loss of or can’t find a job, or the many other things we need welfare from the government.

Most of the recipients of the above are not a bad bunch, and prefer not going there either, but there is the need from time to time to be in the Nowra Centrelink office.

I have nothing but praise for all our service men and women who protect and look after our country and well and truly deserve all their entitlements, but when it’s all said and done veterans’ fortnightly payments are drawn from the same welfare pot that my aged pension and other welfare recipients are paid from.

It is sad that the stand-alone service will cease in June, but unfortunately government offices are amalgamating everywhere to save costs.

The veterans’ information service planned for June will now be in Nowra Centrelink office, this must be a plus instead of the veterans having to travel to Wollongong.

M. Donoghue,

Basin View.