SAS hero Matthew Locke honoured as part of $200 million commitment to house homeless veterans
HANCOCK PROSPECTING MEDIA RELEASE
More homeless West Australian veterans were warmly welcomed to their new home today after Hancock Prospecting opened the second building of refurbished apartments as part of the $200 million commitment from Gina Rinehart to help homeless war heroes.
Mrs Rinehart, the Honorary Guardian of Australia’s veterans through Soldier On Australia, confirmed the opening of a second residential complex dedicated for veterans in a matter of weeks in the peaceful riverside suburb of South Perth.
The complex will be named the ‘Sergeant Matthew Locke MG Apartments’ in honour of the SAS hero who was tragically killed in action on 25 October 2007 while on a patrol in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan.
Sergeant Locke’s widow, Leigh, and son, Keegan, helped officially open the South Perth accommodation, which has already welcomed multiple veterans and their families. Several of Sergeant Locke’s former SAS teammates also attended the opening.
The Air Force Association WA Limited (RAAFA WA) will manage the ongoing operations of the facility.
The property is the second of its kind to open in little more than a month under Hancock Prospecting’s unprecedented $200 million commitment to help get a roof over the head of Australia’s approx. 6,000 homeless veterans and war heroes.
The first, named ‘Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG Beach Houses’, opened in Scarborough in June and has already helped many veterans find safety and comfort, and a place they can call home.
This builds further on Mrs Rinehart’s legacy of providing emergency veteran accommodation in her home state of West Australia. Sir Valston Hancock House, a dedicated veteran housing complex of refurbished units, also in South Perth, has provided more than 3,500 nights of accommodation since opening in September 2024 to veterans who otherwise would have been homeless.
Named after her uncle, Air Marshal Sir Valston Eldridge Hancock, KBE, CB, DFC, who during World War II held many roles, before being appointed Chief of Air Staff from 1961 to 1965, provides comfort and safety for struggling veterans and their families.
Mrs Rinehart is a renowned long-time backer of Australian veterans through generous support to SASR, Soldier On, the SAS Resources Trust, Commando Welfare Trust, Legacy, RSL WA and more.
Quotes attributable to Mrs Gina Rinehart AO:
“Our veterans, some of our finest and most patriotic Australians, have sacrificed and even risked their all for our safety, like the greatly missed, Sergeant Locke, a Special Air Service hero. I’m pleased to be able to provide more accommodation for those veterans who require it and their families, and especially pleased, that the widow of Sergeant Locke, has agreed to have this building named to honour her husband. As Mrs Leigh Locke says, her husband always helped others, and she believes he would like to know, there is now this building named in his honour, which will continue to help the lives of many fine veterans.
“We know after welcoming dozens of veterans already to the Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG Beach Houses in Scarborough, the wonderful difference such accommodation and a place to call home, has made in their lives, and no doubt these newly refurbished South Perth residences will make a much-needed difference to so many veterans.
“As I have previously stated, it is a national disgrace that we leave approximately 6,000 veterans without a roof over their head. I believe it is disgraceful that federal governments are too arrogant to listen, or care, and do not act to open the doors of unused or scarcely used barracks, and other unused defence facilities, to our veterans in need. I hope other veteran organisations partially funded by the government, go beyond their “let’s not rock the boat” approach, and publicly call for the immediate opening of these defence facilities, for our veterans suffering outside in the cold of winter. Some argue, but the barracks would need to be refurbished, well, many of our vets learn basic carpentry, plumbing and even electrical skills, and others without such skills, could paint and clean. So let’s not be stopped when such arguments are raised, our veterans could all be brought in now from the awful winter, and with the government’s action to allow, should be.
“Many struggling veterans could afford their own rentals or save towards their own homes if the Government committed to something I have long called for, that being, allowing veterans who’ve served our country, to choose to work as much as they want, simply paying tax on their earnings like any other Australian. And without jeopardising their hard-earned and very well-deserved pensions. This would be a win-win-win, and help many veterans, should they choose to work, get through the misery of poverty. Again, I hope the veteran organisations do much, much more publicly to help bring this to a prompt reality.
“These apartments to welcome veterans in South Perth proudly carry the name of Matthew Locke MG. My deepest thanks to Matthew Locke, and I look forward to meeting his very proud family in person.”
Quotes attributable to Mr Keegan Locke:
“I’d like to sincerely thank Mrs Gina Rinehart for her extraordinary generosity. Having this home named after my father, Matthew Locke MG, is a profound honour for our family, and it means his legacy will continue to serve those who’ve worn the uniform.
“It’s also a reminder of where we are right now. Too many veterans are still falling through the cracks and when a private citizen has to step in and do what should already be guaranteed, that’s telling. Mrs Rinehart saw a need and acted. That’s leadership. And on behalf of my family, thank you for doing something that will change lives and for keeping Dad’s legacy alive in the most practical way.”
Quotes attributable to Michelle Fyfe, CEO of the Air Force Association WA Limited (RAAFA WA):
“Mrs Rinehart has already made such a significant and meaningful impact on the lives of so many veterans through Sir Valston Hancock House and RAAFA is once again delighted to partner with Hancock Prospecting right here in beautiful South Perth.
“Sir Valston Hancock House has already delivered thousands of nights’ worth of safe, secure and dignified accommodation for those who need it, as well as having supported veterans into employment, reconnected many with loved ones, and above all, helped people rebuild their lives.
“I have no doubt this additional South Perth accommodation will provide a similar pathway for many more and that is precisely why RAAFA is proud to once again be involved.
“This project is about so much more than housing. It is about getting people who have done so much for us back on their feet and giving them a solid platform from which they can re-engage with other important facets of life. While for many the housing will only be temporary, the positive impact it will have on their lives will be permanent.
“Mrs Rinehart has once again showed vision, leadership and generosity when it comes to standing up for our most vulnerable veterans. It’s important to note that her commitment to those who have served goes far beyond the suburb of South Perth and I know many other veterans across the country will feel the warmth of her generosity as part of Hancock’s unprecedented $200 million commitment.
“We know that, sadly, demand continues to outstrip supply when it comes to suitable veteran housing, but RAAFA is determined to continue to do its bit. However, none of this important work is possible with the required investment and that’s why we are so grateful to Mrs Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting.
“No veteran should ever be left without support, without meaningful connections, or without somewhere to call home.”
FURTHER INFORMATION
Hancock support for veterans
Mrs Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting companies maintain a longstanding commitment to supporting Australia’s serving Defence personnel, and veterans. This commitment is reflected through veteran employment pathways, multiple donations, and the Sir Valston Hancock House, providing accommodation for veterans in need.
Veteran Employment
Hancock Iron Ore operates a dedicated Veterans Employment Program, providing meaningful, long-term career opportunities for former ADF members across operational and corporate roles, offering access to the country’s highest-paying sector.
Veterans transitioning to civilian employment at Hancock are supported through:
- A structured peer support network, including a veteran “buddy” assigned to each new veteran.
- Access to chaplaincy support where required.
Veteran Welfare
Mrs Gina Rinehart AO serves as Honorary Guardian of Australia’s veterans through Soldier On, reflecting her long-standing personal commitment to veteran wellbeing. Mrs Rinehart and or Hancock Prospecting companies support a range of veteran and service organisations, including:
- Soldier On
- RSL WA
- Commando Welfare Trust
- SAS Resources Fund
- ANZAC Eve Veterans’ Gala Event in Sydney
- The Legacy Club of Brisbane
- Young Veterans Australia
- Wandering Warriors
Hancock is also the funder of Sir Valston Hancock House, managed by the Air Force Association WA Limited (RAAFA WA), which provides accommodation and support for veterans. At Mrs Rinehart’s direction, Hancock Prospecting purchased a block of apartments and refurbished it into purpose-built accommodation to support the needs of veterans requiring.
Recognition and Remembrance
Hancock Prospecting companies actively support ANZAC Day and other commemorative events. Employees and company leaders participate in remembrance activities on-sites, stations and farms, and publicly to recognise veterans and their families.
Hancock is the major sponsor of the Australian Remembrance Foundation’s Lest We Forget Sunset Tribute at the Sydney Opera House on ANZAC Day Eve. Hancock is also the major supporter of the ANZAC Day Kings Park ceremony and march in Perth.
Veteran Scholarships
Hancock supports the ‘Military Excellence Scholarship’ through Bond University. The objective of the Scholarship is to create at least one undergraduate Scholarship and/or at least one postgraduate Scholarship each academic year at Bond, supporting selected serving or former military personnel to be enrolled at Bond.
The Scholarship will assist in allowing the Scholars to devote themselves to furthering their career in the military or in pursuing a new career path and entry to further employment.
Ongoing Commitment
Supporting veterans is a core element of Hancock Prospecting’s broader commitment to service, Australian values, and contribution to the nation. Hancock continues to work closely with veterans and veteran organisations to ensure its support remains practical, meaningful, and enduring.
