Soldier On Autumn 2023

We will remember them... Lest we forget

The Board, Executive and employees of DHA hereby acknowledge and respect the sacrifice of all those who have served or are currently serving with the Australian Defence Force. On this day our offices around the country will pause to remember all men and women who have provided service to Australia and its allies in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

5

From the top

Prue discusses how the powerful team at Soldier On are focused for 2023 as we embark on our next steps.

20

IBM: Preparing for a changing world of work

A partnership that ensures entry-level employment.

Get in touch

Ph: 1300 620 380

Staff profiles

7 Join Barry Kenyon and Victoria Dixon as they delve into their roles at Soldier On.

8

Australian Military Bank

Proud to be supporting Soldier On as a newly signed Platinum Pledge Partner

10

200 th Pledge Partner signed

BlueScope highlights their commitment to veterans in the workplace.

22

The Soldier On Podcast

A brand-new series dedicated to highlighting, celebrating and connecting our veteran community.

About Us

24

Lunch is served with talks from raw life experiences.

26

Thales – Employer of Choice

Thales showcases their ongoing dedication to veteran employment.

As a national charity, we support more than 9,200 veterans and their family members through our Health and Wellbeing services, Employment Support, Learning and Education Programs, as well as Participation and Social Connection activities. Our services help individuals build resilience and create meaningful connections with family, community and employers. These programs are made possible through the generous support of the Australian Community, the Australian Government through the Department of Veterans Affairs, and our Corporate Partners.

Email: getsupport@soldieron.org.au

Soldier On is a leader in supporting those who have served and continue to serve in the Australian Defence Force. With an exemplary track record of providing practical and emotional assistance critical to building successful post-service lives, Soldier On is recognised as an essential first port of call for veterans and their families as they transition from the Defence Force to civilian life.

It’s not weak to speak

12

The Obstacle is the way

Soldier On Ambassador, Brian Heilbronn works to create a safer environment for active Defence personnel.

14

Going the Eighth Mile

Helping participants identify their values and needs for future employment.

16

Emergency Australia

Providing opportunity to upskill in remote areas to better serve the community.

Gala Balls – Save the Dates

28

Surf Camp

Lloyd talks about our amazing Surf Camp where veterans gained a connection to both the sea and each other.

Advertising

33

Staff Transition – Lisa Cashman

Lisa discusses life and family after Defence with Soldier On.

37

March

On

Getting ready to March On for our heroes this March.

38

Social Connections

Catch up on the latest programs around the country.

Advertisements in this journal are solicited from organisations and businesses on the understanding that no special considerations other than those normally accepted in respect of commercial dealings, will be given to any advertiser. Advertising funds the production, print and distribution of this journal, allowing Soldier On to get the word out. Countrywide Austral adheres to stringent ethical advertising practices and any advertising inquiries should be directed to:

GPO Box 2466, Melbourne VIC 3001

Ph: 03 9937 0200

Web: www.cwaustral.com.au

12 The Obstacle is the way

On the cover: Brian Heilbronn

Photography: Kyle Genner - Daily Liberal

The credit card that has tails wagging.

Introducing Australia’s Defence Bank Foundation VISA Credit card. It’s a win for members, a win for veterans and a win for specially-trained dogs like Bruce, whose handsome face appears on the card.

3.99 % p.a. 6 month introductory rate. *

8.99 % p.a. Ongoing rate. *

• Up to 55 days interest free on purchases.

• Same low rate for purchases and cash advances.

• Additional cardholder at no extra cost.

Australia’s Defence Bank Foundation supports the Defence Community Dogs’ Program. It provides specially-trained assistance dogs to veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thanks to you, we’ll donate half of the annual card fee every year to do what we can to serve those who protect us.

Scan the QR code or visit our website to find out why this credit card is getting tongues and tails wagging.

From the Top

While we are still only at the start of the year, the Soldier On team has hit the ground running. We are vigilant in continuing to provide powerful and meaningful programs across the nation. Coffee catch-ups, walking groups and rock-climbing activities have all kick started for the Social Connections team.

The Pathways team is working towards a new selection of Prep-4Pathways events, which commenced with the MTM Railway Signalling Cadet Program in January, as well as this year’s Pathways Networking Events (PNE). The Soldier On PNEs are professional networking events designed to enable veterans and their families to meet and network with a variety of local veteran-supportive organisations, many of whom may be actively recruiting. These events also promote education and training opportunities and aim to create connections with local employers to kick-start long-term meaningful employment.

This March, we are asking our communities to show their support by walking or running 96km either in a team or as an individual for Soldier On’s biggest fundraising appeal, the March On Challenge. All raised funds are used to help provide ongoing support services designed to improve the wellbeing

and mental health of our veteran communities - read more about it in this edition of our journal. We already have more than 1,000 participants signed up and ready to start their trek.

Our Gala Balls prep is also well underway with sponsorships filling fast nationally. Our first event being the Canberra National Gala Ball on the evening of 1st April. These events are a great night out and, with the support of our community, allow Soldier On to continue to deliver meaningful services to the veteran communities and their families.

Soldier On is proud to collaborate with a wide variety of Ex-Service Organisations, Defence and government agencies, as well as our veteran communities across the nation.

Every person and company that we deal with brings something different and diverse to the complex and multifaceted challenges that veterans and their families encounter during and after service. Without the support of our communities, these Gala Balls would not be possible.

Soldier On is headed for a bumper 2023 as we aim to reach wider and further, ensuring as many serving and ex-serving veterans and their families have access to our great support network nationwide.

As we look forward to our future, the next chapter of Soldier On has begun. We are excited to announce the appointment of Amy Cooper as CEO, commencing on 6 March 2023. I will be staying on as Deputy CEO and will help keep Soldier On powering forward as we enter this next phase.

Amy is a skilled and accomplished leader, who has worked in both the government and private sectors. She brings a wealth of experience across a range of sectors, including government, non-profit, charity, and community services, amongst others. This strong leadership team will continue to drive the critical work with veterans and their families by helping them transition from service life and thrive well into the future. Together, with the continued support of our communities, Soldier On will continue to leverage our respective strengths and bring more psychological and social support to veterans and their families.

I am so grateful for all the support our communities have provided Soldier On over the past 10 years of operation. I hope that the next decade will prove to be just as powerful and look forward to seeing all that will be achieved in the years to come.

Prue Slaughter, Interim CEO

Soldier On has been on an incredible journey of growth and discovery. Our mission to enable serving and ex-serving veterans and their families to thrive, stands strong as Soldier On now supports more than 10,000 participants across Australia.

Staff Profiles

VICTORIA DIXON

What are your responsibilities day-to-day?

Where do I start? I oversee the powerhouse team that is Fundraising. Working with the team to develop innovative campaigns and appeals, as well as helping them implement fundamental donor engagement programs. I love what I do.

I have an amazing team and over the past five years in the role, have had the chance to work with some brilliant minds. Five years is a decent tenure, what changes have you seen since your time with Soldier on?

I think, for me at least, the expansion and growth within the organisation. We’ve been through the critical years of establishment and now get to focus on strategic decisions, rather than organic issues. They say building an organisation is a seven-year process and knowing what I know now, I absolutely appreciate that concept.

Soldier On had the classic start up struggles that most notfor-profits deal with – I think we're currently in a good place in terms of stability and forward thinking. We have built highprofile awareness and it now feels good to be acknowledged by communities, as well as the government and corporate sectors.

How did you get into this line of work?

Practically speaking, this was my first Director role. I had worked in the not-for-profit sector for seven years with the well-known charity, Jeans for Genes. Although I never served with the ADF, the core values have always resonated with me and aligned with my internal compass. The fact that our Defence Force deals with dangerous situations so that we can be safe holds a lot of weight with me. I thank all our current and ex-serving members of Defence for providing us with a safe Australia.

What do you consider as the highlights of your career so far?

Meeting Sergeant Bert and some of our other national treasures has been incredible. Aside from that, I feel like the success of March On and getting the structure of the Fundraising Team streamlined, would be considered highlights.

What are you most passionate about regarding your role?

I am driven by helping people reach their potential. Whether it be in their personal life or professional development.

I have this passion to help, motivate and protect.

What are your interests/hobbies outside of work?

Outside of work? Haha, I am a keen cyclist, an aviation tragic and a military history buff.

In one word, how does working for Soldier On make you feel? Fulfilled.

What are your responsibilities day-to-day?

I look after the acquisition and account management of our new and existing partnerships. There is a lot of stakeholder engagement and relationship management that takes place, so I work with companies and organisations wanting to partner with Soldier On and support our veterans and families.

How did you get into this line of work?

Hmm, how did I get into this? I was working for another Defence organisation before joining Soldier On and have a background in not-for-profit business governance and policy, which is quite useful in this role. Having long admired Soldier On as a stakeholder and participant, I was very fortunate that the right role came up when I was looking for my next career step. I’m also a member of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council for Veterans and Families, and have been part of the Australian War Memorial’s Veteran Advisory Panel since its inception at the end of 2020. I’ve been a part of the Defence industry and support organisations for many years, so Soldier On is a natural fit for my skills and knowledge.

What do you consider as the highlights of your career so far?

It’s going to sound corny, but there isn't one particular moment. I genuinely love what I do. When I first started with Soldier On, I worked with our Pledge Partners and seeing the positive impacts of The Pledge process at work was super satisfying. From that initial enquiry from an organisation wanting to connect with our participants, the excitement of participants being recognised for their value and skills, and then witnessing the success of the program. Happy, fulfilled participants working in great roles with companies that have committed to being outstanding employers of veterans and their families makes me think ‘This thing works!’ These incredible outcomes spur me on to continuously drive that process.

What are you most passionate about regarding your role? The fact that Soldier On provides services nationally with a holistic approach. It’s not that what we do is niche, there are more than a few ESO’s out there, but the way that Soldier On does it, is incredible. Did I mention that I really love my job?

We genuinely get to help people, every day.

What are your interests/hobbies outside of work?

I’m an actor, so I spend quite a lot of time rehearsing and performing. I’m also a runner, and try to run at least 5kms most days.

In one word, how does working for Soldier on make you feel? Proud.

Barry Kenyon

National fundraising director

National PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY BANK CONTINUES TO PROVIDE VALUED SUPPORT TO SOLDIER ON

Australian Military Bank is proud to be supporting Soldier On as a newly signed Platinum Pledge Partner.

Soldier On is one of Australian Military Bank’s few key charity partners, with a mutual commitment to positively impact the Defence community.

Fundraising is at the very core of Soldier On’s ability to enable veterans and their families to thrive through the HELP program.

One organisation that has continued to go above and beyond in supporting this mission is Australian Military Bank (AMB). Since the beginning of Soldier On and Australian Military Bank's partnership back in 2015, AMB has raised over $70,934 for Soldier On via their Australian Military Bank Military Rewards Account, an incredible feat that deserves recognition.

The Australian Military Bank Military Rewards Account was created to reward AMB members and the wider Defence community. The everyday account combines practical product features with a cents gifting initiative to ensure long-term support for Soldier On and other charity partners,

including Mates4Mates, Legacy, RSL Defence Care and other Ex-Service Organisations..

Each month, Australian Military Bank transfers members’ ‘spare change’ (the cents on their account balance up to 0.99c) to Soldier On, or another Defence related charity. They then match, dollar-for-dollar, the money donated each month, and contribute this directly to Soldier On and the other specified Defence charities.

On top of these funds raised, AMB team members also enthusiastically participate annually in the March On challenge. During the month of March in 2022, AMB staff gathered together to walk 96kms (the length of the Kokoda Trail), raising over $14,500 for the participants directly supported by Soldier On through this campaign.

With this year’s March On challenge ramping up to be the biggest yet, Ann Roch, AMB Community Partnership Manager says, “we look forward to registering again this year and aim to raise even more for Soldier On’s valuable cause.”

The support that AMB has continued to show Soldier On goes well beyond fundraising and has developed over the years into fully integrated collaboration. Day to day, AMB team members support Soldier On activities in the community and have recently taken part in the WOSSM Golf Day in support of Soldier On, with team members also regularly showing their support by attending the NSW Soldier On Pathways Networking Events.

“All of us at Australian Military Bank are proud of our association and support of Soldier On over the past eight years of our partnership. We were thrilled to become a Platinum Pledge Partner in 2022,” says Australian Military Bank CEO, Darlene Mattiske-Wood.

“It is a sign of the strength of our commitment that our members choose to contribute to Soldier On every month through our cents

gifting initiative via their Military Rewards Accounts.

We look forward to our continued association with Soldier On in 2023 and beyond.”

Soldier On Interim Chief Executive Officer Prue Slaughter expresses Soldier On’s gratitude in saying, “I want to extend a huge thank

you to Australian Military Bank for its long- term and tangible commitment in supporting Soldier On to better the lives of veterans and their families.

Their active engagement with Soldier On as a key charity partner has proven to be priceless over the past eight years.”

BLUESCOPE SIGNS ON AS SOLDIER ON’S 200TH PLEDGE PARTNEr

Australian-born business makes a tangible difference within the veteran community by signing The Soldier On Pledge.

On Monday, December 5th , 2022, BlueScope signed on as a Gold Pledge Partner at BlueScope Steel Coniston, just North of the Port Kembla Steelworks in NSW.

Soldier On Interim CEO Prue Slaughter and Programs Officer Andrew Horne were joined by BlueScope’s Rebecca Roberts, General Manager (People), Rachel Edwards, National Talent and Sourcing Manager, and John Nowlan, BlueScope Chief Executive for Australian Steel Products.

The Pledge is a voluntary standard that enables organisations across Australia to signal their support for current and ex-serving personnel and their families by creating ‘veteran friendly’ workplaces and embracing the skills and attributes they offer across three core areas: recruitment, retention, and workplace culture and communication.

BlueScope chooses to partner with organisations who share similar values to their own, one of which

is Soldier On. In signing The Pledge, BlueScope collaborates directly with the Soldier On Pathways team to provide advice about employing and recruiting veterans, build meaningful connections and facilitate channels for quality job applicants.

BlueScope is a global organisation and provider of innovative steel materials, products, systems and technologies, and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of painted and coated steel products.

“our people are our strength”

Since becoming an independent steel company in 2002, BlueScope has continued to build a strong foundation for growth with a diverse portfolio of businesses in some of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world. Being driven by innovation, spanning across 18 countries with over 15,000 employees, BlueScope recognises the magnitude of opportunity they have to make a real difference.

BlueScope has opened up a world of employment opportunities for Pathways participants, building upon resilience and the capacity to drive towards a veteran friendly future.

Soldier On is proud to recognise their corporate leadership as the 200th Pledge Partner, joining the 122 other corporations that signed The Pledge in 2022 alone.

A part of BlueScope’s “Bond” states that “our people are our strength” and “our local communities are our

homes”. BlueScope understands that the range of perspectives that result from having a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace strengthens their capability for continued and sustained business success. In line with The Pledge, BlueScope aims to reflect the diversity of their customers, markets and the communities in which they operate.

“Soldier On warmly welcomes BlueScope as a Gold Pledge Partner. By taking the initiative to sign The Pledge, BlueScope is upholding a commitment to showcase the value that veterans bring into every industry,” says Dave Waters, Soldier On’s National Pathways Program Director.

He adds, “As our 200th Pledge Partner, BlueScope marks a significant milestone for our Pathways Program. For every organisation that signs The Pledge, we are one step closer

to enabling more veterans and their families to secure their future careers after transitioning from Defence.”

BlueScope’s Chief Executive of Australian Steel Products, John Nowlan said, “We are very proud to partner with Soldier On and provide employment opportunities that will support Defence personnel, veterans, and their families and this will in turn assist them to build a future to help them thrive.”

He adds, “Soldier On’s participants have a range of training and experience that BlueScope values and many transferable skills to offer.”

“BlueScope can enable career opportunities where employees grow through continuous learning and development, where they are rewarded and will make an impact, as well as enjoy the sense of belonging that comes from working with people who genuinely look out for one another.”

The obstacle is the way

Set realistic goals and understand that the path is not always linear.

From a young age, Brian Heilbronn knew that he wanted to join the Army. He served in deployments to both East Timor and Afghanistan and is still serving as an active reservist. He has experienced loss and death during his deployments.

Through all of this, despite battling with mental health issues, he always looks for the good and says he wouldn’t change a thing. The notion that an obstacle preventing us from achieving our goals might be the very thing required to achieve those very goals is not only a personal philosophy for Brian, but one that transpires in his work.

In 2014, his former Platoon Commander, took his life after losing his battle with PTSD. To help honour his legacy and raise awareness for PTSD and mental health, Brian developed the concept for a Memorial Shield in his Platoon Commander’s name. This event saw soldiers from the First Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment compete in a Townsville marathon, whilst wearing body armour, to help raise PTSD awareness and raise funds for Soldier On.

There are many studies out there that show the positive relationship between physical and mental health.

Body armour for the marathon was capped at 10kgs for the safety of the runners, which is much lighter than soldiers carry on deployment, but still a significant weight. Brian explains, “Imagine having someone sit on your chest and trying to breathe. It makes simple things like standing up or running quite a challenge”.

For some people, battling mental health is a similar sensation to wearing body armour. For others it’s a tool of the job and is there for protection.

Brian has been through his own mental health battles. For him, aside from the physical benefits of fitness it provides an escape. “The hour I would spend at the gym was a chance to escape, leave everything at the door, and just focus on making myself a better person.”

He has experienced how easy it is to succumb to survivors’ guilt, but this has led him to be able to appreciate the preciousness of life. “It could have been any of us, we were all fighting for our country, for the same cause. I honour that sacrifice. I honour them by trying to live a good life”.

Trying to attain perfection is near impossible, but for the continual improvement process, improvement in small increments added up over time results in gigantic leaps towards one’s goals. He uses this mentality to coach others, explaining that the attitude needs to focus on helping yourself.

“You need to do the work to get better. That starts with getting into a routine and discipline to do something physical each day”. Whether it be a physical or mental step, it’s cumulative and keeps building. In 2016 Brian completed a degree in Exercise Physiology and utilises his position as a Human Performance Officer to contribute to the Human Performance Centre and has worked with the Invictus Games team.

Brian is currently a Lecturer and Clinical Educator at James Cook University (JCU), where he teaches the Sport and Exercise Science, and Clinical Exercise Physiology programs.

He is currently developing a program aimed at improving veterans’ health through physical activity and exercise, and is also undertaking his PhD to research injury prevention of tactical athletes through applied strength and conditioning.

The recently created program through JCU follows a student-led approach to a Veterans Physical Activity and Sports Performance Program, which offers general health and performance testing, individualised training programs, one - on-one training sessions for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.

Brian said, “Providing a program like this for veterans which helps them maintain or build their physical activity back up after they discharge from the military is very important”.

Brian understands the need to start small and then build. He encourages his students and his clients to have goals, but to know there is a realistic path for them - “find the right path and understand it’s not linear”. The idea that ‘the obstacle is the way’ is a concept that Brian thinks will be relatable for many veterans, as they have faced numerous adversities throughout their careers. Brian believes that this mentality made him who he is and allows him to continue to learn how to keep our soldiers safe.

Embracing the obstacle has helped him find his purpose.

GOING THE Eighth Mile

The Eighth Mile Consulting has partnered with Soldier On to deliver their Reinvent Yourself Course and a Personal Development and Leadership Course to participants in the Singleton and Hunter Region, free of charge.

Founders of The Eighth Mile Consulting, David Neal and Jonathan Clark met Evan Parker during their time at the Australian Defence Force Academy 18 years ago.

Having all reunited at The Eighth Mile Consulting as both veterans and Directors, they are big believers and living proof that your past does not define your future. This philosophy is exactly why they decided to sign The Soldier On Pledge, with the goal to make an invaluable difference in the lives of the veteran community.

The Reinvent Yourself Course is designed to help participants identify their values and what they require from their future employment. The course equips them with the tools required to make change and helps build a strategy to achieve that change. The Personal Development and Leadership Course is all about taking your personal development and leadership skills to the next level.

Evan Parker commenced his journey into the ADF straight out of school at 17 years old at the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

At the age of 21, leadership became a critical skill for Evan after being given the responsibility of 35 soldiers immediately after graduating as an Artillery Officer. As you can imagine,

“it was an incredibly steep learning curve,” he said.

During his time in the army, he was deployed to Afghanistan with MTF 4 (Mentoring Task Force), alongside Jonathan Clark, where they both continued to pick up soft skills in conjunction with leadership after being continually embedded within other

Thinking of life after Defence?

now at The Eighth Mile, veterans will be in a more educated position to choose the right path for them.”

He emphasises how much he wishes he could have had the Reinvent Yourself Course before transitioning.

Similarly, to most veterans looking for employment outside of Defence, Evan followed the brand name and didn’t consider what type of company it was that he wanted to work for.

Originally, Evan thought the transition process out of Defence would be a 6 – 12 month period, but in reality, he says it took 3 – 5 years to really gain the knowledge and confidence to learn his way around the civilian workforce.

REINVENT YOURSELF

make sure you're squared away for your next career

units. It’s no surprise that the wealth of knowledge they picked up during their time in Defence has been carried over to The Eighth Mile Consulting.

Evan says, “with postings, you’ve got no choice but to lead your team on the journey. As a result, I had to develop a strong stakeholder engagement plan in order to have my seat at the table.”

Later on in 2014, Evan was deployed to Iraq on short notice at the height of ISIS while his wife was 8-months pregnant. Having been permitted to come back to Australia for the birth of his firstborn, Evan realised there was more to life than what he was experiencing in the army. It was at this point that he decided to make a change and started studying a Masters of Business Administration at Monash University.

“When I left after 10 years of service, my skills were very much combatorientated. I had no link to business, no transferable skills that I was aware of, and I felt super lost. Many veterans go through this as part of their transition story. I made the decision to go back to university and quickly realised that no one cares about your qualifications, it’s about what you can bring to the party that counts.”

Evan joined a major consulting organisation as a Senior Management Consultant a year after leaving the ADF, but found that the company didn’t align with his personal values.

He says, “it was a complete mismatch and I found transitioning into the civilian workforce a grating experience. By doing the courses we’re offering

“I didn’t appreciate how a role outside of Defence would work and it became one of my greatest frustrations. The corporate workforce can be this huge bureaucratic mess when it comes to identifying opportunities. Although the army does have a hierarchical nature, there’s a lot of flexibility when you’re moving in a tactical formation. Where I once was delegated a large amount of authority and responsibility, my new role was the complete opposite.”

Having joined The Eighth Mile Consulting just over six months ago, Evan brings with him a new approach to grow and expand their course delivery models, specialising in the delivery of leadership training and development courses for executives in private and corporate enterprises.

“Most people’s ideas regarding leadership are formed from what they learn from good and bad experiences from their bosses, which isn’t a great underpinning,” he states.

“The civilian workforce outside of Defence often robs the veteran community of the leadership and team dynamic skills that they learnt from the military. The Reinvent Yourself Course has been specifically designed with veterans in mind, and forces participants to truly figure out what career path will be most meaningful to them.”

Through The Eighth Mile Consulting, Soldier On participants are being given the opportunity to invest in their future through professional coaching, specifically designed for those looking to make a change.

To find out more, visit: https://eighthmile.com.au/ leadership-courses/

EXPANDING HORIZONS WITH EMERGENCY AUSTRALIA

Soldier On education programs provide enormous value to communities.

The training we deliver to veterans in the civilian space is nationally recognised. This enables veterans to leverage their existing skill sets and experiences from the military and couple this with nationally recognised training, to assist in their careers, businesses, and professional development,” says Founder and Managing Director of Emergency Australia, Sean O’Loughlin.

Sean started his military journey as a Section Commander in the 1st battalion RAR in Townsville. He was deployed to East Timor in 2007 on Op Astute providing peace keeping operations in Dili and the rural areas during the elections. From there, in 2009 he was deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Operational Mentor Liaison Team, embedded in the Afghan National Army in the Baluchi Valley.

His time in Afghanistan inspired the establishment of Emergency Australia, with hopes to employ like-minded veterans coming from similar backgrounds. Being a registered paramedic and veteran, he understands what opportunities are needed to enable veterans to thrive. Since its establishment in Bathurst back in 2013, Emergency Australia has trained over 7,000 students, many of whom are veterans. The training organisation began working closely with Soldier On as an Education Partner back in 2019, with Sean having met with Soldier On’s current Interim CEO, Prue Slaughter, in Sydney to discuss the potential that could come from collaboration.

“Emergency Australia and Soldier On have the same core beliefs in our veterans and the constant

pursuit to give back to our veteran community. Our veterans provide enormous value to our communities and both organisations have the responsibility to ensure our veterans and their families are given every opportunity to succeed in civilian life,” says Sean.

“By combining these skills, experiences and geographic locations, a truly unique and holistic service is being delivered across the Asia Pacific region, even reaching as far as Vanuatu, providing training to their ambulance service.”

During COVID-19 back in 2020, Emergency Australia built their HighFidelity Training and Simulation Centre in the centre of Brisbane, which Sean says was a “labour of love to prepare people the best we could to replicate real-life situations”.

Soldier On Interim CEO, Prue Slaughter, says, “Soldier On’s Educational Partner Programs like Emergency Australia RTO continue to positively impact the lives of our participants. These programs provide the opportunity to upskill through civilian ready qualifications in enriching, veteran friendly and supportive environments.”

The centre has become the flagship simulation facility in Australia for first responders operating in high pressure, high threat environments. Inspiration for this facility came from Sean’s own military experiences and the needs identified in training, to truly prepare individuals and teams to perform under pressure.

The 360-degree augmented reality environment is unique in that it provides complete audio-visual immersion for participants in training

simulation. For enhanced resilience training, participants even have the option to wear Astroskins and Hexoskins, to assess their vital signs, allowing the trainer to assess the biometric responses of participants, such as their response stress.

There are also many of the courses that are taught in national parks, showcasing some of the most breathtaking locations Australia has to offer. Being in a remote location and working as a close team provides many benefits, both from a training perspective and on a psychosocial level, for participants.

Soldier On Pathways participant Ben Whiting first got involved with Soldier On to better understand retraining and networking opportunities that were available. He undertook Emergency Australia’s

Cert ll in Medical First Response and Remote First aid, and Operation and Recovery of 4WD Vehicles.

“Most training providers don’t make the experience as realistic and exciting as Emergency Australia. Because there are a lot of other veterans attending the courses, it’s like returning back to a family that truly understands you. It was a great opportunity to reconnect and bounce off each other through discussions of our various reintegration into civilian life experiences.”

Soldier On is able to provide veterans with the opportunity to thrive through the ongoing commitment to collaborate with nationally recognised Education Partners. The pathways that these likeminded organisations provide, such as Emergency Australia RTO, truly are endless, expanding horizons for veterans around the country.

Celebrations and collaborations Save the dates - 2023 soldier on gala balls

10 years of Soldier On has seen a proud mix of collaborations with a wide variety of Ex-Service Organisations, Defence and government agencies, as well as commercial companies across the nation. Gala Balls have become Soldier On’s premier events, bringing communities together to celebrate all that we have achieved, as well as to reflect on future activities to help veterans and their families to thrive.

The Gala Balls are made possible by the generous support of our event sponsors. Soldier On would like to thank all the sponsors for their contributions for the 2022 events and hopes to continue working with you all in the future. Your support allows Soldier On to deliver meaningful services to our current and ex-serving veteran communities and their families. The Soldier On team has been proactively working behind the scenes to lock in dates and venues for the 2023 Gala Balls. The next round of events has already started gaining interest and sponsorships conversations are underway.

These highly anticipated events see some of the nation’s most senior members of Defence, governments and industry professionals come together in recognition of over a decade’s commitment to our ADF communities and their families.

The Gala Balls are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the tireless work of our dedicated teams, as well as our many supporters nationwide. Each of these organisations addresses a mix of diverse, complex and multi-faceted challenges which veterans and their families encounter during and after service.

Together, we can continue to leverage our respective strengths and bring more psychological, education, corporate and social support to our current and ex-serving veterans and their families.

IBM: HELPING PEOPLE PREPARE FOR A CHANGING WORLD OF WORK

IBM and Soldier On have partnered to create an initiative specifically for Defence families, to equip participants with new collar skills for tech-pathways from secondary education to entry-level employment.

With tech jobs changing faster than the industry can follow, there’s a gap between work demand and the availability of skills, opening up ‘the most significant employment opportunity of the decade’.

Soldier On is proud to announce the newest collaboration with IBM, IBM SkillsBuild for Students. IBM SkillsBuild for Students provides free introductory online learning

in the industry-leading tech and professional skills required to be successful in careers driven by the new economy.

Specifically designed for students aged 13+ and their educators/support systems, SkillsBuild for Students helps learners jump-start their career exploration and baseline technical and workplace skills development through engaging, self-paced courses. Learners can also earn digital badges

demonstrating baseline knowledge in highly marketable skills areas for the future of work.

With the bold commitment to skill 30 million people globally by 2030, while currently operating across 168 countries, IBM is a key stakeholder in bettering the lives of veterans and their families around the world.

National Pathways Program Director, Dave Waters says, “with our aligned

objectives, IBM has recognised the need for a program that will directly support the Defence youth across Australia, with opportunities to gain skills in one of the most in-demand industries. It’s a privilege that IBM has chosen to partner with Soldier On to achieve this.”

The partnership between Soldier On and IBM started back in 2020 when Prime Minister Scott Morrison jumped on board to back an initiative led by IBM SkillsBuild to help over 3,000 veterans and their family members gain in-demand tech skills in partnership with the Soldier On Pathways Program.

At the launch, Soldier On Chairman, Peter Leahy said, “as part of Soldier On’s Pathways Program, the IBM SkillsBuild platform will enable more veterans and their families to upskill in high-growth areas like cybersecurity and secure their future post-service career faster.”

In 2021, IBM also partnered with Udemy to provide Soldier On participants access to Udemy licenses (an online learning platform) once they signed up on the IBM SkillsBuild program. This licence allows access to over 5,400 free business courses including Cloud Computing, IT Operations, Leadership and Management, Data Science, Workplace & Human Resources, Personal Development, Marketing and more.

The SkillsBuild partnership with Soldier On has since continued to evolve and currently incorporates two initiatives: the IBM SkillsBuild Employment Pathways Program and, a new initiative that commenced in April of last year, partnering with the University of Southern Queensland and DXC to fasttrack veterans through a Bachelor of Cyber Security, with guaranteed jobs at DXC Technology.

As of September last year, IBM and Soldier On have worked hard

collaborating, to finding new ways to foster participants with the skills that will allow them to compete in an everevolving economy.

To help make this a reality, IBM has provided Soldier On with funding to support IBM SkillsBuild for Students in Defence high schools in Canberra and Newcastle. With this coming to fruition, it is estimated that the number of participants registered for IBM SkillsBuild will grow from the current 650+ to more than 2,500.

Soldier On Interim Chief Executive Officer Prue Slaughter says, “since launching the program with Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2020, IBM has continued to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to supporting veterans and family members with bigger and better initiatives every year.

“It is truly an exciting time to see this partnership going forward in such a rewarding way.”

THE SOLDIER ON PODCAST

The Soldier On Podcast is a seven-episode series dedicated to highlighting, celebrating and connecting our veteran community and their families.

Each episode, you’ll hear a first-hand account of a life touched by involvement in the Defence industry from a variety of unique perspectives.

This series aims to show that through every victory and adversity, our veterans, their families, and those who serve our nation, are heard, seen, and united as one.

Episode Overviews

Ben Farinazzo was one of 5,500 Australians who were deployed as part of the Australianled multi-national peacemaking task force, the International Force East Timor (INTERFET), established to restore order and provide humanitarian aid, following extreme violence in the country.

The experience would prove to be a very rewarding one, but would ultimately lead Ben to unanticipated mental health challenges. Years after returning home, Ben suffered physical injuries from a mountain bike accident that nearly left him as a quadriplegic or dead, which forced him to face his own mortality and mental health issues.

This episode is an important human-story, that offers a perspective of resilience and selfreflection.

Produced by Smart Fella Media. Co-funded by the DVA ‘Saluting Their Service’ grant. Episode Sponsors: BGIS, Fujitsu and Smart Fella Media.

Tiny Little Spark

The Soldier On Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Leadership

What it means to lead and what it takes to be a leader – two thoughts explored in the episode ‘Leadership’ by two guests for whom this is a familiar subject.

Former Chief of Army and Lieutenant General, and current Soldier On Chairman, Peter Leahy (AC), as well as the Principal Psychologist and Executive Leadership Coach of the Australian Army senior leadership team, Dr Rebecca Jackson, will speak to their insights into the role of leadership not only in a military setting, but in civilian life too.

David Savage: Australia’s First Civilian Casualty from The War in Afghanistan

It is not just military personnel who serve, with thousands of civilians having been embedded in the Australian Defence Force on operations at home and overseas.

One such person is David Savage AM, who was Australia’s first civilian casualty of the Afghanistan war, when in 2012 he was almost killed by a child suicide bomber. David’s story not only highlights the important contributions and sacrifices of civilians who work alongside the Australian Defence Force, but also shares a message of resilience and hope.

Fallen Angel

In 2010, Gary Wilson was on board a Black Hawk helicopter crossing over Northern Kandahar. Due to extreme low visibility, the Black Hawk crashed into the rugged Afghan terrain, claiming four lives and leaving 11 others severely wounded.

At first, Gary was given a 4% chance of survival and sustained severe injuries that saw him fall into a coma.

Three months passed and Gary awoke to a different life in which he had to relearn everything from walking to talking. Beginning a journey towards regaining his independence.

Gary beat those 4% odds in part due to the love and support of his partner, Renee.

In this episode, both Gary and Renee speak of their experience and their remarkable willpower to overcome extreme adversity.

The Power of Employment

From creating a sense of purpose to reclaiming lost camaraderie, finding meaningful employment can be a lifesaver for veterans as they transition from the Australian Defence Force into the civilian world.

In this episode, we explore what meaningful employment means and its importance, as told by three prominent figures from the 2021 Prime Minister’s Veteran’s Employer of the Year (Large), BAE Systems Australia.

Hearts and Minds, with Lehmo and Rozie

Beloved Australian comedians, Anthony Lehmann (Lehmo) and Adam Rozenback (Rozie) offer unique insight into their experiences of travelling to active war zones to provide a sense of home to our serving members through entertainment.

From navigating the intimidating journey, to explaining what their performances meant to those away from home, this is a gig that both Lehmo and Rozie are very familiar with, and both hold with great reverence.

The Entrepreneur

Emily Frizell is a veteran turned entrepreneur who established AeroPM, a multi-award winning consultancy company that currently has a veteran employment rate of 80%.

In 2020, Emily was recognised within the Defence Industry as the Female Defence Leader of the Year, and in 2019 she was shortlisted for the ACT Telstra Business Women’s Award.

In this episode of The Soldier On Podcast, we’ll follow her experience of transitioning from Defence, the decision for her to start her own company, the obstacles she faced, and what advice she has for other entrepreneurs.

LUNCH IS SERVED WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES

IT’S NOT WEAK TO SPEAK

The ‘Lived Experiences’ Lunch is a socially connected meal with specialists and educational keynote speakers presenting in a veteran-centric health space.

As a veteran who has walked the journey, Kevin Lomax, Soldier On Pathways Officer in Singleton, has always connected with and found the best advice has come from others with shared or similar experiences who understood what it was that he was going through.

“We all walk our own path, and this isn’t a competition about who’s done it tougher, but an exercise on how we can find the common ground or, more importantly, the common reactions to things that have happened to us and how we dealt with them,” Kevin said as he introduced himself and guest speaker, Tom Pulleine, at a recent luncheon with the focus on ‘Lived Experiences’.

As Kevin talked to his captive audience, he explained that when he was going through some of his toughest days, as a bloke he felt he had to keep his issues to himself and ‘suck it up’ regardless of what was going on. He described the experience of finally speaking out as a great relief, and found he wasn’t alone. There are lots of people, blokes in particular, going through similar struggles.

As a troubled youth coming from a broken home and periods of homelessness; alcoholism was a crutch as a teenager coping with despair and helplessness. Kevin found solace in the camaraderie the Army offered and loved the feeling of having a place to fit in. He served in the Infantry for just shy of 15 years and was medically discharged in 2015 with physical and emotional injuries. At this time, he felt completely broken, but acknowledged that his body was never going to heal

as long as he was still serving. He had a significant back injury leaving him barely able to walk, ultimately leading to surgery.

Kevin was diagnosed with ‘Complex PTSD’ which stemmed from multiple traumatic experiences throughout his life. That feeling of loss became apparent as he was now back on the ‘outside’ of his friendship groups. Kevin encouraged his audience with the message, “It’s not weak to speak. Find a good mate who actually listens and cares, and be there for them when you can,” he said, adding, “our past experiences don’t have to be what

defines us. We can move forward and re-write our future story”.

When Tom took to the stage, the audience was primed. He gave a bit of background on his recruitment process, from not really knowing what he wanted to do saying, “I originally went to join the Navy, but no Navy recruiter appeared! I then watched a video on the Army and thought "that looks good", and I joined”.

Tom went on to talk about his deployments and how his injuries began to impact his life. He remembers talking to his partner on the way to Sydney thinking, ‘I'm having a stroke',

as the right side of his body just started to go. Thankfully, it wasn't a stroke. He had, however, collapsed his right disc and cut through a nerve on the right side of his body.

On top of that he was diagnosed with Bell's palsy, a form of facial paralysis. He was also diagnosed with PTSD, depression and anxiety. At that point, he knew it was time to patch out from his military career.

Like many others, Tom felt very isolated when he discharged. He explained that having a clear goal is vital. “Having an idea of where you need to be, what you need to do to survive financially,” made

his life a little bit better. “My advice to others out there in a similar position would be to plan everything that you intend to do. Set yourself some life goals one to two years into the future. Have a look at what you want to be like and set yourself those goals by mapping out the things you need to do to get there.”

Jordan, a participant commented on the day, “the engagement with different people has been great. Hearing the two different stories, wow! It was really deep and brought the emotions to the fore – they were able to overcome so much”.

SO, WHAT'S NEXT?

Service in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) can provide a sense of camaraderie, mateship and purpose – but importantly, service can also instil a mentality and set of skills that can ensure a successful career in the civilian workforce.

Every year, nearly 6,000 men and women transition from a career in the ADF, taking with them a level of discipline, an attention to detail and various soft and hard skills that civilian employers find extremely desirable.

While some struggle to recognise the value of their experience, the Soldier On

employment and education Pathways Program team recognises your value. From re-writing resumes, identifying transferable skills and even directly introducing you to our network of veteran-supportive organisations, Soldier On is here to support you and your career goals.

If you have already transitioned from the ADF, or are perhaps considering it one, two, or even five-years down the line, it’s never too early to reach out to Soldier On and learn how we can support you.

The ‘Lived Experiences’ Lunch is a socially connected meal with specialists and educational keynote speakers presenting in a veteran-centric health space. This inclusive opportunity brings veterans together in safe social settings, breaking the barriers in reconnecting that can occur for some post-discharge, scaffolding an opportunity for holistic wellbeing.

Soldier On would like to thank the Singleton Diggers Club for funding the event.

Serving your country has provided you with the tools to succeed and when you’re ready, Soldier On is here to help you take your next step – so, what’s next?

EMPLOYER OF CHOICE PATHWAYS PARTICIPANTS FIND MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT WITH THALES

With over 330 current veteran employees across Australia, Thales continues to showcase their ongoing dedication to provide rewarding employment to veterans in collaboration with the Soldier On Pathways Program.

As a multinational organisation with nearly 4,000 employees across 35 sites around Australia, Thales delivers innovative solutions in a range of sectors including Defence, air traffic management, sovereign space capabilities, and security systems and services.

Being a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force, Thales not only understands the unique challenges that veterans face when entering a civilian career, but also the value that they bring into the workplace.

Thales signed as a Gold Pledge Partner back in July of 2021. Since then the organisation has remained devoted to providing an attractive and supportive workplace for ex-service personnel

and their families, offering numerous significant employment opportunities to the veteran community, having recently hired a number of Soldier On participants.

“Our goal is to grow our partnership with Soldier On and bring on as many veterans as we can, as they understand the industry and what it entails,” says David Zhang, Talent Acquisition Business Partner at Thales.

Four of the most recent Soldier On participant hires include Patrick Hanley, hired as a Safety, Security & Systems Coordinator in the Northern Territory, Joana Dela Cruz, hired as a Customer Service Officer in South Australia, and Nick Di Martino and Graeme Klepzig, both hired as Storage, Distribution & Maintenance

Employees in Tasmania, and New South Wales.

Patrick previously worked as a Military Working Dog Handler and Protective Security in the RAAF for 14 years. He was introduced to Soldier On during his separation from Defence back in 2021. His responsibilities include implementing and administering site wide safety and security practices, coordinating and delivering training programs, ensuring regional compliance, and conducting safety and security risk assessments to ensure the overall success for his site in Darwin. “Soldier On were amazing, as they initially contacted me regarding this position with Thales. The transition was a bit difficult at first, having come from Defence to being a civilian on a Defence

base. Seeing the same people I served with only three months prior, took some getting used to. However, my role with Thales is so similar to what I was doing in my final years at the RAAF, that it was fairly easy to get into the swing of things.”

Tony Smith, who works as a Regional Manager for Thales says, “Soldier On’s Pathways Program is one of the many avenues for Thales to gain access to quality candidates looking to maintain a connection with Defence, who for one reason or another are now looking for an alternative career.

Tony explains, “Defence personnel looking for alternative employment often under-sell themselves, but with the right guidance and advice from Soldier On, they can continue

to achieve great things for Australia in the Defence Industry.”

Likewise, Graeme came from a similar background when starting his new role as a Storeman with Thales. Originally introduced to Soldier On through Open Arms, Graeme said the transition into Thales was made smooth and easy with the assistance provided by Soldier On Pathways Officers.

He says, “I assist in providing our Navy, Army, and Airforce with the tools they need to do their jobs. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction knowing that I can still serve those who serve our country.”

Luke Melton, Graeme’s Depot Operations Manager says, “It has been a pleasure working with Soldier On to identify candidates, and we have

a real winner in Graeme, proof that the relationship is a worthwhile investment for anyone seeking quality candidates to fill a role. Moving forward, I would be happy to consider more future candidates from Soldier On. If Graeme is anything to go by, we can’t go wrong.”

Like many other services offered to the families of serving members, Joana first came across Soldier On through an ADF newsletter. After migrating to Australia back in 2012, she found that being new to the Defence lifestyle was incredibly hard, having to relocate and start a new life from scratch. She stopped working after the birth of her youngest child back in 2017 and found that the support from Soldier On when wanting to re-enter the work force was not only helpful, but essential. Through Soldier On’s support, Joana landed a Customer Service Role with Thales.

She says, “I’m so grateful that Thales is a Defence contractor. Their understanding of Defence life could not be better compared to other companies outside of the industry. Along with a very accommodating and supportive team, I can honestly say that the transition into my new role could not have been made smoother.”

The success that has come from Soldier On’s partnership with Thales is a true testament to the power that comes from ESO and Defence partner collaboration. Soldier On is proud to celebrate its relationship with companies like Thales, who go above and beyond to provide long term, tangible support for those who have served our country and their families.

OFF THE HOOK CONNECTIONS MADE AT HPC

INTERMEDIATE SURF CAMP 2022

Story by Lloyd Harris

The drive from Brisbane to Casuarina and the Hyundai Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC) started in the dark, but that didn't affect the moods of participants.

Arriving to the sun shining, clear blue skies and not a breath of wind was incredibly exciting as the Soldier On Annual Intermediate Surfing Camp was finally happening!

The group arrived at the centre to big smiles as James Milliss, a Senior Soldier On Program Officer, chatted to our participants. He’d driven from the Hunter Valley to be a part of this and was one of the original people to complete the program in 2016. He was pumped and excited, which was awesome to see.

In typical fashion, nearly the entire team of veteran surfers were ready to go – it should be noted, a whole hour early. Everyone was smiling and laughing while they introduced themselves to the group over a cuppa. What usually takes a few hours happened instantly with this group, as they connected over their love of the ocean. It was incredible to witness a group bond this quickly.

Troy, a participant commented, “This is such a great opportunity for veterans to get together and share their love of the ocean! Many veterans spend a lot of time on their own, so it's amazing to get them together in a sport they love, to bond and make mates for life”.

The Association of Veteran Surfers were well represented, and we had participants who had flown in from Victoria and other parts of the country, just to be part of the event.

Eager to see when we were heading out, Raf had checked the waves prior to arriving and it was 'game on’! After a quick chat to see where everyone’s skill set was at, we loaded up the vans with 2-3 boards per surfer and headed out to Kingscliff Beach. Once there, we met Andy Morris, a photographer from 18 Seconds magazine. Andy had taken pictures last year and was on site again to give the gift that all surfers want, awesome action photos.

Raf (pro surfing coach and all-round legend of a bloke, Michael O’Rafferty) drove in and threw some shakas as a welcome. Raf has generously volunteered his time over the last couple of years for Soldier On and puts everyone at ease with his businessas-usual approach. What would be a stressful event to most, for Raf and the elite coaches, Maddi, Boogs and Samba, is another day doing what they love.  continued on page 30

The entire morning was spent in the surf and you could hear the banter, laughter and the challenges of catching barrels, being offered from our group over the waves crashing. The group headed back to the HPC for a delicious lunch and went over the footage that the coaches had taken.

The participants received their professional feedback, based on what the coaches had captured. The depth to which these coaches know waves, boards, body positions and how to clearly communicate ideas to people was really comprehensive, with everyone walking out of the room with a couple of skills to work on for the afternoon surf.

Conditions were rough for the afternoon surf. Wind, swell, chop and unpredictable waves, paddling out wouldn’t be easy. It definitely wasn’t going to be as easy going as the morning session. The attitude of everyone to get out there and work on their surfing, regardless, was incredible.

Everyone was still smiling, having a laugh and were well and truly ready for a rest when we left the beach a few hours later for dinner. Day two and the morning’s conditions were fun and pure at Hastings Point. Our surfers could work on the feedback provided by the coaches. Even a nonsurfer could see improvement and cleaner surfing coming to the fore. The coaches had delivered once again. After lunch we headed back to the HPC for trampolining, skateboarding and more coaching, before heading home. Everyone left slightly exhausted, with lots to work having been done, but all wanting more. The bonds made on this particular camp will be long lasting.

We are incredibly grateful to all staff and those in the background from the Hyundai Surfing Australia High Performance Centre for their efforts in making our veterans welcome during our stay, the gift of their knowledge and friendship.

Rico, another participant added, “I just wanted to thank Soldier On for the opportunity to be a part of the Surf Program. For me surfing has become my solace and I am forever grateful. It has given me a new lease on life. I’ve learnt to appreciate the little things and the positive people around me”.

We are extremely excited to see where this relationship takes us – Soldier On will be back soon!

Sovereign Defence Partner

Engineer. Manufacture. Sustain. A better future. Together.

Team Lynx

A rewarding Life outside Defence

Lisa Cashman joined the Royal Australian Navy at 19 and found it to be an incredibly rewarding career choice. She was able to change roles and locations with ease, which meant that she never felt tied to a seat or bored.

Lisa was married weeks before a six-month deployment to Bahrain with a small team comprised of TriServices and multinational personnel. During her service, Lisa was able to mentor fellow Navy staff from recruit level to their first ship. As part of this role, she ensured that those being mentored were in a happy workplace and inspired to continue in their Navy career.

When the time came to transition, Lisa found the process challenging and at times overwhelming. “There was such a big to-do list,” Lisa said. “I found myself second guessing every decision I was making”. She had to tackle the mental barriers and hurdles, including job security and how her young family was going to adapt to the shift in lifestyle.

Due to the selective position that Lisa held, she had to be proactive in finding her replacement. For Lisa, the drive to better manage expectations and the balance of her home and work life was a priority, and she researched opportunities available.

Lisa had been introduced to Soldier On through a Pilates class held in Perth. “The class was amazing and it was such a good opportunity to get out and do something I probably wouldn’t have done for myself otherwise”.

Lisa joined the Soldier On team in February 2022 and has found it to be super flexible. Working with an employer who understands the needs of veterans and their families has made her transition relatively stress free. As a result, Lisa feels that she is in the exact place that she needs to be and is now making a meaningful difference in the lives of other current and exserving veterans through her role as a Pathways Officer.

For anyone thinking about starting the transition period, Lisa offered the

following advice. “Back yourself. There is a life outside of Defence and it can be super rewarding. The journey doesn’t need to be scary. You have so many transferable skills, things that you probably haven’t even considered as skills.

The Soldier On Pledge companies love the experience and skillsets

that veterans have – you are very employable.”

Lisa recently received a scholarship through Curtain University to study a Bachelor of Commerce with plans on majoring in Human Resources, a discipline not too dissimilar to that of her Navy career.

Moving Beyond Trauma is a residential program at the Quest for Life Centre in the Southern Highlands, NSW designed to assist people with PTSD reclaim their lives. The program draws on an understanding of trauma, its effect on the brain and teaches practical skills and tools which bring relief to the troubled body, mind and spirit.

Based on the latest research on health, healing and neuroscience, our nationally acclaimed programs are delivered by a highly qualified professional team in a safe and confidential environment.

Kenneth Leonard Everett

Born 19 May Sussex UK 1933 – Passed 11 June 2021 Albury NSW.

Life story told by Jim Hislop, friend.

Born in 1933, Ken lived through the great depression and was still very young during WWII - even so he said his parents were able to provide the necessities of life. He was very involved in the CUB and Scouts movement during the years of the war, and qualified for many badges in different fields. Often speaking of his fear whenever he heard planes in the sky, he was thankfully never particularly close to falling bombs.

It was during the war that he developed a great sense of admiration for the pilots of the RAF. Ken always said these pilots seemed to be outnumbered, but displayed great flying skill and courage. When he left school in the late 1940’s he entered apprentice training as an Instrument Maker. He was called up for National Service in 1951 and allocated to the RAF as an airframe fitter. It appears that at the end of his National Service he must have re-enlisted into the RAF, completed Officer training followed by pilot training. On graduation, he was posted to Germany where he spent several years flying jet fighter planes.

As Ken was very short, we often joked that his plane must have had a booster seat to enable him to see over the instrument panel. Upon leaving the RAF as a Squadron Leader, Ken became an instructor in engineering. During this period, Ken obtained a degree in Civil Engineering.

Ken and his wife travelled all over the world and both of them loved experiencing different cultures.

They travelled throughout Europe, Asia, Canada and New Zealand.

A memorable day in Ken’s life was when he and his wife were invited by the Queen to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in honour of his service to the RAF Association and as an unpaid museum guide at the RAF Museum. On the day of the garden party, terrorists struck the London underground and all guests at the garden party were put into lockdown, where they remained until the next day.

Ken was very highly regarded by both the RAF Association and the RAF Museum and received many letters of commendation for services rendered. He acted as a tour guide at the museum, which was the home of several WWII Hurricanes, with one of them maintained in flight condition.

Ken and his wife arrived in Albury in 2009 and both became Australian citizens in August 2011. They were both outgoing people and made many friends in Albury. Ken was a perfectionist and had a great love of Politics and Military History. When I met him in about 2014, we always had long and intelligent conversations. The only name he was known by in Australia was Ken or Kenny, but in the RAF he was known as “killer” mainly due to his enthusiasm in completing any and every task to the best of his ability that always drew praise from his superiors. He had an outstanding memory, particularly for names of people or places and the dates of significant events just rolled off his tongue.

As the National President of the Australian Defence Force Retirees Association and an active member of the Army Museum Bandiana and a number of ESO’s, I would often ask Ken to do some research at the local library for me and he always came back with excellent reports to satisfy my needs.

He was a man of his word, a loving and caring man, the type of friend we all dream of having. He was punctual, spoke very softly, could articulate his thoughts with great clarity. Whenever we met, which could be in a club or in the main street, he always saluted me and asked for comments on the standard of his salute. He was never fit enough to march with me on ANZAC Day, but we always spent several hours after the parade discussing military history.

I think the most valued thing in Ken’s life was his love of his wife and for helping people with problems.

As his own transition from the RAF was very poorly managed, he asked me what he could do to help Australian Servicemen/women leaving the service.

Through my work in Ex-Service Organisations, I told him that Soldier On was the organisation that assisted with veterans when transitioning. Within a couple of days, he and his wife had new wills drawn up to reflect their wishes of making a bequest to Soldier On.

MARCH ON WITH SOLDIER ON

The March On with Soldier On Challenge is back again in full swing, bringing together a unique community of everyday Australians, all showing their extraordinary support for our serving and ex-serving Defence community.

For those who aren’t familiar with Soldier On’s largest annual fundraising event, the March On with Soldier On Challenge is a virtual challenge where nearly 10,000 people around Australia set themselves a challenge to walk or run 96km during the month of March. All raised funds are used to help provide ongoing support services designed to improve the wellbeing and mental health of our veteran community.

Why 96km?

This is the length of the Kokoda Track, and pays tribute to the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers in Kokoda in World War II, as well as highlighting the importance of needing to help our veterans of today. For this reason, the 2023 March On Challenge is placing a spotlight on the values of the four pillars of Kokoda: Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice.

Marking the course of one of the most important battles for Australians in the Second World War, the young men, whose average age was between 18 and 19, defended this rugged 96km track and were the only line of defence protecting Australia from imminent invasion.

The March On Challenge enables participants to share stories of the meaning of the four pillars of Kokoda, being relevant to our veteran community of today just as much as they were to those returned diggers of World War II. It is always a privilege to learn of what inspired their March On journey and what they achieved, which we have replicated by giving our participants the platform to share their connection to the cause – some being personally affected by veteran suicide and taking part in memory of a loved one. They have been able to share who they are “Marching On” for, allowing them to pay their tribute on the “We Salute You Wall” and joining a dedicated Facebook group to share the journey of their own personal virtual journey

of Kokoda. This truly helps foster that sense of connection and mateship that is so highly valued within the veteran community.

Previously, the focus of achievement points have been geared around the distance between Owers’ Corner (the starting point) through to Menari (34.8km), Templeton’s Crossing (63km), Eora Creek (72km) and then onto Kokoda (96km).

Past years have seen participants tackle this 96km challenge by walking throughout their local neighbourhoods, while discovering new local walking trails; to the tops of mountains and on board naval ships, while out at sea, to complete the challenge; and taking part as a team with mates and colleagues.

This year, an additional challenge has been introduced, to truly bring home the pillars of Kokoda – and that is to take on the return trip of completing the Kokoda Track and back, being a total of 192km.

Seeing thousands of everyday Australians each year, all united in a common cause, is truly humbling and has a profound impact on the lives of our current and ex-serving Defence personnel and their families.

Social Connections

KIAMA

The last three months of 2022 were very busy in the Kiama region, with eight additional activities on top of our three regulars.

Veteran and family engagement has increased in the area along with participant numbers at activities, paving the way for what looks likely to be a very enjoyable and rewarding 2023.

Kiama supported the Illawarra Relay for Life with a team of 13 participants, which included current and former serving veterans and their families. This was a great way for us, as a community, to come together to support those who have been touched by cancer. Supporting and working with other ESO’s was the highlight for 2022. It enabled us to work closely together in support of our veteran community. The Fleet Air Arm Open Day was one of the occasions where multiple ESO’s were able to engage with the wider

Defence community and promote the support they offer.

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing friends and families having a good time, supporting each other, and overcoming fears, whilst they negotiate high wire obstacles. This has been one of the ‘go-to' activities in this region and has proven to be very popular. Regardless of the conditions, everyone leaves with a smile.

In conjunction with SWISS8, Soldier On Kiama held a BBQ To Remember breakfast at the Bearded Brewer Café. This was a great way for local Defence members and their families to come together and honour the brave men and women who wore the uniform for our country. In addition to the local Lions Club cooking up a storm for

breakfast, we were entertained by a local musician, Benn Gunn who sang his original songs.

Wings Over Illawarra is the region’s largest air show with an estimated 50,000 people going through the gates over two days. Not only was it awesome to have a stall at this event and engage with the public, but six families also enjoyed the airshow as part of a raffle draw.

Our main activity to wrap-up the year was at Jamberoo Recreation Park. 28 families attended and enjoyed all the attractions the park has to offer. This has now turned into our end of year Christmas activity and there was nonstop fun. Santa even took some time out of his busy schedule to drop in to wish the families a Merry Christmas.

Social Connections

ADELAIDE

Adelaide’s Kids Club activity has been a HUGE success with many families regularly coming along to relax and unwind, while their kids can burn off some energy, while forging new friendships with children.

We are so grateful to the amazing Lollipop’s Playland team in Golden Grove who host our adventurous activity, where no two weeks are the same. Parents and kids have enjoyed the themed Arts and Craft days during school holidays. During Christmas celebrations kids got to decorate cookies, make baubles and Christmas Angels and their very own personalised Christmas cards for their loved ones. We’re looking forward to any new families who’d like to join us for a morning out with plenty of fun for the kids to come and join our Soldier On Kids Club.

Our regular weekly Coffee Connect catch-up held at the Watershed Café, is where our participants can come along for a chat and just relax. We have the privilege of many guests coming along to join us, even our friendly service dogs from OPK9 and Defence Community Dogs are regular special guests. If you haven't been already, come along to the Watershed Café at Mawson Lakes between 12-2pm for a chat and take in the amazing serenity of the wetlands right at our feet.

Dungeons and Dragons sessions have been held each fortnight at the Table Top Warfare in Gawler. With many raving reviews from participants, this activity is one to jump on for those of you who love mystery, storytelling, and roleplaying. Dungeon and Dragons is driven by imagination – it's about picturing a crumbling castle in a darkening forest and imagining how a fantasy adventurer might react to the challenges that scene presents.

Games nights have been popular with families to come along and unwind. It doesn’t matter if you have kids, no kids, couples or singles, everyone enjoys board and card games. While the young ones play Twister and Ludo,

the adults played Up and Down the River, Phase – 10, 31’s and 7’s. Come along and bring your evening snacks for an epic night of laughter.

This last year Soldier On Adelaide celebrated Christmas a little differently, with a night out at mini-golf and more than 100 people attended. It was an impressive night with lots of entertainment, from the array of lawn games and endless mini-golf to enough pizza to feed an army.

We must give a special “thank you” to our fellow guests on the night who joined to lend a hand: Cherie and Michaela from Australian Military Bank Edinburgh; Cherylea, Tina and Dusty the Army Bear from Legacy; Dina and Darren from Open Arms; Katie from Defence Special Needs Group; Dan from the team at Fallen Forge; and Dion from Project Integrate.

We had several door prizes for the evening with Australian Military Bank donating the night’s major prize –

a nice little Visa Card ready for Christmas surrounded with some goodies; SHANX donated a gift pack full of SHANX goodies; and Soldier On had a couple of additional prizes for the kiddies to enjoy.

Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate Christmas with the Adelaide team.

Woodhouse Adventure Centre is our annual “Summer Holidays Fun Day” held up in the Adelaide Hills. A record 50 participants attended this year’s day joining the team for a yummy BBQ lunch cooked by Soldier On’s Tom and David, before hitting the obstacle courses. A special thanks goes to Defence Health, who sponsored the water for this year’s activity. Defence Health has been a massive support to Soldier On and our participants and continue to do amazing work within our community. So, thank you to Nicola and Nerida for supporting another one of our activities.

Social Connections

CANBERRA

Canberra has had a fun-filled time and has seen an increase in participants joining the Social Connections team.

The Canberra crew had an opportunity recently to take part in the Festive Candle Making class presented by local company, Lucian Store. Participants learnt about the Fragrance Pyramid consisting of Top, Middle and Base notes, and the evaporation duration of each. At the end of the class those that attended walked away with personalised candles created from their own arrangement of scents.

Local participant Andrea shared, “The Lucian team are such lovely people. I had so much fun, caught up with friends and learnt a lot. I love the finished candles we made too - they are beautiful and of high quality.”

Family night gave four families a chance to explore Kingpin, inclusive of the Arcade and Escape rooms. For most who attended, this was a novel experience, as some people didn't know that Canberra had a games arcade. Families also had the chance to experience the food on offer. One family managed to “escape” from the escape room within 30 minutes with our remaining families not far behind.

The groups had a lot of fun, with friendly competition. One family shared, “there was a lot of laughter and puzzle solving and it was really rewarding getting out the other end –especially with everybody helping out!”

At the end of the night, it was clear that a tremendous time was enjoyed by both adults and children, with broad smiles for days and comments of “we must come back!“

Participants and a couple of furry friends set out on Lake Burley Griffin in paddle boats with thanks to Capital Paddle. We could not have asked for a better day!

21 degrees with a light breeze.

Participants had the paddle boats for one hour and could explore the lake, while venturing to Aspen Island and the Captain Cook memorial. The two furry friends that were aboard had a wonderful time and even managed to jump in for a quick cool-off before coming back to shore.

Jeremy commented, “This is an activity that we would not have considered

previously.” Activities like this are low stress and a good workout that everyone could take at their own pace”. Paint by Numbers was offered as one of our Technique Thursday activities, which will continue to change each fortnight with a new activity to test technical skills. This activity proved to be fun for all ages and skills levels, with families enjoying the challenge of painting between the lines. The option to take their masterpiece home to complete it was an added bonus!

Danusha attended the activity with her family and said, “In the past I have found it difficult to find a family activity which we can all participate in, where a certain level of skill or competency is not required. The fact that the paint by numbers was targeted at all skills levels, was achievable for all of us.”

“What Soldier On continues to do is provide a great opportunity for families to do activities together, which we would not likely do on our own” – The Grierson Family.

Social Connections

VICTORIA

Social Connections in Melbourne has seen growth in participant numbers and activities reaching full capacity in just a couple of days! However, as many of us know, the weather in Melbourne is unpredictable and can sometimes be a challenge.

So we always reschedule and provide veterans and their families with the experience they have registered for, allowing them to socially connect with likeminded others and form new friendships.

CERES Community Environment

Park has been working with the Social Connections Team and providing an array of activities for our participants over the past two years. From volunteering opportunities, allowing veterans to give back to the community, to facilitating two cooking workshops for VHW 2022, Mexican Cooking and Food for the Mind and Gut. Both workshops were very insightful and provided those who attended benefits on cooking low-cost healthy sustainable meals.

‘The Edge’ Skydeck Experience pushed the boundaries of participants by taking them out of their comfort zone and venturing onto the Edge in a world first. It suspends guests in a glass cube 300 metres above the ground.

Some of our thrill seekers were children who couldn’t get enough of the amazing Melbourne view.

Our fortnightly golf driving session at the beautiful Yarra Bend Golf Course has been well received, generating new engagement for each session.

Kerrin, one of our participants, commented "I have been going to the fortnightly golf driving activity at Yarra Bend for the past few months and I am absolutely loving it. I also find it to be a great stress and anger release."

The Social Connections Team went along to support the HMAS Cerberus WOSSM Golf Day Charity event for 2022! Soldier On was the charity of choice, with funds raised on the 4th 'Betting Hole', and a chance to wage on who can get nearest to the pin in one shot. They raised over $500 in a couple of hours to help support veterans and their families supported by Soldier On. Being able to facilitate an activity for veterans and their family members

at the Shrine of Remembrance was a highlight. Having a guided tour by an ex-serving veteran himself was so informative. Not only did we learn about the significance of the Shrine, but also provided an opportunity for family members of those who had served to get a better understanding of what they have done for our country.

To finish off the year, our first ever theme park experience at Funfields was a blast! Many families experiencing the financial pressures of Christmas were able to take a day out and connect with themselves and others over a BBQ, followed by thrill seeking rides and water park activities.

Nathalie, a local participant joined us for the experience saying, “It was an awesome way to reconnect with my family after spending six months away this year, and the rest of the time is so busy all the time.” Adding, “we took our time, we laughed, and we let loose. It was also a great opportunity to meet others from Defence.”

FLOOD IS NOT A SUMMER OCCURRENCE ANYMORE.

Just one inch of floodwater can cause irreplaceable damage to your home with all the financial responsibility on you at an incredible vulnerable time.

Unlike other insurers, DSH Insurance provides automatic flood cover at no additional cost, assisting veteran and defence communities during their time of need.

Key features:

Landlord Car Caravan Motorcycle

Social Connections

PERTH

The Perth team had a great December with a couple of outdoor cinema experiences.

We had a family movie night for the kids, as well as a romantic couples Christmas movie in the week leading up to the festive period. Both events received great feedback from the groups with one of our attending couples saying, “It was just what we needed to take the stress away from this extremely busy time of the year.” 2023 has started strong. In January we had a great family event at The Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA). There was a fabulous turn out of families with over 60 people attending. AQWA boasts Australia’s largest single aquarium and underwater tunnel with a moving conveyor belt; one of the world’s largest Coral Reef displays and 45+ unique exhibits, all featuring only native Western Australian marine life and living corals. We will continue in 2023 with our walking group and coffee catch-up’s. This year we have three locations; Floreat, Rockingham and East Fremantle, for coffee catch-ups to ensure that we capture as much of the WA Soldier On community as possible to take part in an activity.

New to the programs this year in Perth, we have Hot Yoga and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu starting up. There will also be a ladies only brunch in February and a veterans Golf-day in March.

Our six-week surf program with Salt and Mantra in Secret Harbour will be continuing this February/March. These surfing sessions allow our veteran community to meet like-minded people and have an outdoor ocean experience. They not only get to be part of a fun surf experience and make new friends, it also enables the veterans to learn about the ocean and how to look for potential dangers in the surf.

All of our Social Connections activities are free to all veterans and their families are encouraged to attend.

A friendly reminder that every individual over the age of 18 attending any other activity must meet our eligibility requirements and be registered with Soldier On. This will be checked prior to the activity to ensure each adult is on our database. Registration just requires the filling out of this form.

https://soldieron.org.au/registrationform/ or scan the QR code

Social Connections

PORT MACQUARIE

In December, we celebrated Christmas in style at The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant.

We took the opportunity to get a little bit fancy and enjoyed a threecourse meal and were incredibly touched to have people travel from Newcastle to attend. One claiming they were proud to attend the most active group in the organisation.

There was great banter and those attending took the opportunity to reflect on their favourite activities

over the year. From creative sessions and resin workshops to horse riding, the Port Macquarie team has done it all. Thank you to all who have participated in the region, we have built an amazing culture with engaged and proactive people.

Active Thursdays have really kicked off in Port Macquarie. We have a great mixture of both current and former

serving ADF veterans in attendance - some days we even manage to get the Tri-Services join us. Typically, the plans for the following week’s activity are made at coffee catch-ups on the Wednesday, facilitated at The Hill Café. Active Thursdays can be anything from coastal walks to kayaking and exploring the North Coast. We keep the activities varied to suit the needs of all our participants.

Veteran Operated Business

Unique hand-made timber crafted items fashioned from ethical, sustainable minded suppliers, recycled timber, 100yr old fence posts cut by hand, fallen logs laying silently in the bush of the Granite Belt and individual pieces saved from old buildings. These items are distinguishable from anything you will find in a store and will enhance and personalise your home or office.

Guardian Glow Night Lights

To potentially help PTSD survivors, these unique, handcrafted pieces are designed to look like a beautiful piece of art for your house. Each conceal a soft glowing electronic candle which provides a warm, discreet light without drawing unwanted attention.

Tribute / Memorabilia Pieces

MxM Manufactures various unique, handmade timber pieces aimed at honouring those that have served our great Nation and paying tribute to all State and Federal Emergency Services. From trinket boxes, medal cases and display items, check out MxM for that unique, special item to honour your service or pay tribute to your service person.

www.mxmmadebymatt.com.au

0476 797 444

Proudly Supporting Soldier On Program

Social Connections

WESTERN SYDNEY

From drive-in movies and family fun nights, to rock climbing and yoga, as well as whale watching, Western Sydney families have been having an absolute whale of a time.

Families were given the opportunity to have a Family Fun Night at a local Time Zone. The location was great, as it was in a shopping centre and there were plenty of options to do something before or after the activity. The staff were incredible and looked after us very well. The laser tag course proved to be a popular challenge and was enjoyed by the young and young at heart.

The rock-climbing group is a great activity, which sees participants climbing an artificial rock wall. The more adventurous of the group vertically climb around the centre and those more competitive held races to get to the top.

For those that need a more relaxing environment, the Yin Yoga groups have been doing well and provides the perfect balance between an intense exercise session while providing a slower, more meditative counterpart to help round out the workouts.

Yin yoga is great for anyone who is dealing with injuries or a chronic condition like arthritis or osteoporosis, as this style in particular, is a more restorative practice than other forms of exercise.

Whale watching was definitely the showstopper over the past few months though. The weather was amazing, and the seas were not too rough, with plenty of whales and pods to see. We were lucky enough to see seven whales right up close!

Many of the attending participants provided the feedback that they had a fantastic time and that it was a great experience.

One family said “running harbour events like this is a great thing for families. We loved looking at all the things on the harbour”.

running harbour events like this is a great thing for families.

Our Corporate Partners

Soldier On is grateful of our corporate partners and sponsors. The below organisations provide vital funding that directly enable Soldier On to continue to provide support for veterans and their families.

Principal Partners

Associate Partners

Major Partners Partners

Foundation Partners

With special thanks

Abode Hotels

Sydney Local Health District

Count Charitable Foundation

GWS Giants Football Club

The Good Guys

The Howarth Foundation

St Kilda Football Club

Scott Mitchell & Partners

Media partners

The Victorian Government and the Victorian Veterans Council

Waves Carwash

Tallangandra Hills

Winery

Lendlease

Raytheon Australia

NSW Government

IA Designs

Two 14 Coffee Company

Dramatic Productions

TGI Defence is a 100% sovereign Australian-owned freight forwarder specialising in transporting oversized, out of gauge and hard-to-move cargo door-to-door within Australia and globally.

With rapid deployment capability, we leverage a vast network of local and global logistics and transport providers in shipping, trucking, rail and air, to deliver your cargo on time and within budget with 24/7 live tracking through SATiS. Offering an end-to-end solution with the most efficient and cost-effective means to deliver your cargo from anywhere to anywhere.

TGI Defence has over 15 years of experience supporting the Australian Defence industry and is conversant in all Australian and international procedural and documentation requirements for moving defence-related freight.

Ph: +612

6198

3283

The Realm, Level 1, 18 National Cct, Barton, ACT, 2600

Ensuring safe operations

Roxtec cable and pipe seals provide certified protection against multiple risks, such as fire, gas, water, and even EMI/EMP, in extremely challenging environments all over the world.

Roxtec Australia Pty. Ltd

Unit 114, 14 Loyalty Rd, North Rocks, NSW, 2151 02 9708 0055, info@roxtec.com.au roxtec.com/au

Proudly supporting our returned service men and women and Soldier On.