Last week, the SilVR Adventures team had the privilege of joining our valued partner, Vasey RSL Care, at their Annual Saluting Excellence Awards. This year’s event marked an extraordinary milestone—20 years of compassionate service, dedication, and innovation with the theme “Serving History with Love: Celebrating Twenty Years of Service.”
The celebration reflected on the remarkable achievements since 2004 while setting an inspiring vision for the future of Vasey RSL Care in 2044. Among the many highlights of the evening, we were deeply honoured to see the impact of our VR solution featured prominently, showcasing how it has enriched the lives of residents, care team members, and families.
Celebrating 20 Years of Vasey RSL Care | Honoring Service and Innovation
Empowering Residents Through Virtual Reality
For Vasey RSL Care, integrating VR into their services has been a transformative step in their commitment to supporting veterans and their families. Linda D’Sylva, Lifestyle Coordinator at Vasey RSL Care Bundoora, shared the inspiration behind this initiative:
“Many of our residents have not left Australia, and VR gives them the opportunity to explore and see the world from the comfort of their armchair. It also keeps them up to date with new technology, which they are in awe of.”
Vasey RSL residents get up close and personal with wildlife on safari in Africa
By leveraging immersive experiences, VR has opened doors to new adventures and meaningful connections, enabling residents to revisit cherished memories and explore new environments.
Creating Joy and Connection
The benefits of VR are tangible, with residents eagerly anticipating each session. Linda noted, “They have more to talk about with each other after an experience and enjoy reminiscing about places they’ve travelled.” One particularly moving example involved veterans virtually visiting Vietnam during peacetime, sparking heartfelt reflections and storytelling.
VR has also strengthened bonds between residents and their families. In one instance, residents virtually toured locations where family members were living abroad, enriching their conversations and fostering deeper connections. Linda observed, “When residents have visited these places virtually, they know what their family members are talking about, making their interactions more meaningful.”
Fostering Community and Engagement
VR experiences have become a cornerstone of shared storytelling and community bonding at Vasey RSL Care. After a virtual adventure, residents often gather to discuss their journeys, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
For staff, VR has provided new opportunities for creative and meaningful engagement. “We use it like armchair travel,” Linda explained. “Residents love going back to places they visited with significant others, giving them opportunities to reminisce, while also exploring new destinations to share with others.”
Vasey RSL Team feedback on the Impact of Virtual Reality
“Residents who have never travelled now feel included in conversations, contributing their thoughts and feeling a sense of belonging.”
Building on a Legacy of Care
For Vasey RSL Care, VR aligns seamlessly with their legacy of supporting veterans and fostering a sense of community and purpose. Linda emphasized, “It’s important to keep residents connected to the outside world. If they can no longer travel, this is a great opportunity for them to stay engaged and experience new things.”
Looking to the Future
As Vasey RSL Care celebrates two decades of service, we are proud to partner with their amazing team to bring innovative VR experiences that enhance well-being, spark joy, and create lasting memories. Together, we are redefining the possibilities of care and community engagement for the next 20 years and beyond.
Here’s to celebrating excellence, innovation, and the unwavering commitment to serve those who served. 🥂✨
(1) Vasey RSL team members experience the magic of VR together (2) SilVR showcased at 20th anniversary event (3) SilVR team members Jess, Colin and Sabrina enjoying the celebration
