Sport
17 October, 2025
Ride shines light on veteran homelessness
A GROUP of cyclists have made their way from Warrnambool to Box Hill this week, shining a light on veteran homelessness.
Riders on the inaugural Tour de V Centre left Warrnambool early Monday morning for their four-day cycle across regional Victoria, designed to raise awareness of the urgent issue of homelessness among veterans.
Sadly, Australian veterans are almost three times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population and face alarmingly higher rates of suicide.
Organised by Vasey RSL Care, the ride took the group from Warrnambool to Box Hill, passing through Ararat, Ballarat and Geelong.
The tour officially launched at South West TAFE last Sunday, bringing together riders, support crew and the local community.
Attendees were inspired by talks from veteran Liz Wheeler who undertook the Nancy Wake Memorial ride in France earlier this year, and the impressive adventurer and author Paul Watkins.
They reminded everyone of the strength and support of community.
“This ride is so much more than people getting on bikes,” Warrnambool veteran Adam Kent said.
“It’s about bringing communities together, raising awareness of veteran homelessness, and remembering that connected communities save lives.”
The Tour de V Centre has received tremendous support from communities across Victoria, showcasing the strong commitment to supporting veterans in need.
