Remodelling is under way to transform the Glenburnie Memorial Hall into an ex-service personnel and emergency services support and fun centre, to assist veterans, first responders and their families who are seeking help.

Volunteers will work together to bring the vision to life including hopefully reclaiming the abandoned Glenburnie Country Fire Service shed and transforming it into a blacksmith’s workshop.

The kitchen will be renovated into a commercial use space for things such as husband and wife bake-offs.

Veteran advocate Laurie Mann said the venue would provide social interactions without alcohol.

“We are not going to serve alcohol, put it that way,” he said.

“You do not want to bring that sort of ethos to a place like this.

“Sometimes it gets a bit out of control.

“You want to have it, so everyone gets something out of it, you come here for friendship, comradeship and wellbeing.

“We have got to remember our partners as well, they need a bit of contact with others too.

“There could be some good friendships made out of it.”

Mr Mann said the group wanted to bring the hall back to its original use.

“This place was set up for the community, for the returned serviceman, veterans and their families so they have a place to come to,” he said.

“That is what it is missing, we used to do it and we need to do it again.

“We are here to help, we will provide the help but back to the community ethics and that is help each other, you are here for each other, and you are not here to fight with each other.

“It does not matter where you come from if you want to walk through that door that is what it is all going to be about.

“We just want to get this going and bring it to life because it is a pretty solid facility, it just needs some love and care.”

The venue will be open to veterans whether they have served in conflict or trained for war.

Mr Mann said to his surprise the first monthly meeting attracted about 20 people, 15 or so of whom were veterans.

“It is going to be little steps and we are going to have monthly meetings,” he said.

“There are all sorts of things that we are thinking about doing so it is a matter of getting this going first.

“We just have to get the people in/the volunteers.

“The Grant District Council have been looking after us too and the Glenburnie Racecourse has offered to help us out.”

The repairs will be paid for through hall hire use, donations and grants.

The group has applied for a $20,000 government grant through the Department of Veteran Affairs, the status of which is to be announced this month.

The group is currently working on getting all authorities such as Australian Business Number and Incorporation Plus up to speed and will soon be applying for the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission.

They have recently been approved for their Ex-Service Organisation application and are awaiting the final website setup.

The group is seeking out anyone with history such as stories or photos of the building to contact Glenburnie Hall on Facebook.