Soldier On Spring 2017 by Countrywide Austral

SoldierOn.org.au

Inside this edition:

/SoldierOnAustralia

ServiceNow

@SoldierOnAust

SoldierOnAust

National Fundraising Ball

Spring 2017

Purple Warriors

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Contents Regular Items 5 26 29 32

Soldier On Update Activities updates Fundraising heroes Our corporate partners

Feature Stories 7 8

Why Soldier On is expanding Soldier On's National Fundraising Ball 2017

11 ServiceNow 13 Grief & loss 14 Family and relationship focus 17 Soldier On behind dream meeting with golf legend

19 21 23 24 25

Steps for strength Melbourne Marathon

Dietetic services at Soldier On Purple Warriors Photography workshop

8 2

SOLDIER ON Spring 2017

Soldier On Get in touch Ph: 1300 620 380 Email: info@soldieron.org.au

About Us Soldier On’s mission is to work side by side with those who serve and protect Australia, and their families, HELPing them to secure their future. Our services aim to HELP individuals build resilience and create and expand meaningful connections with family, community and employers through: Health and wellbeing – Psychology, social activities and programs, sporting activities and programs and service initiatives. Employment – Transition services, employment support, career-development assistance. Learning – Education and training programs, vocational training. Participation – Social activities and programs focused on connections with family, friends and the broader community, volunteering and sports programs. On 10 October 2017, Soldier On extended our support services to all those service personnel from national security agencies who have served, and continue to serve, side by side with the ADF. This includes individuals, and their families, from Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other security agencies. Securing and protecting Australia in complex environments, domestically and globally, requires integrated multiagency and multidisciplinary teams of national security agency service personnel to work side by side, both on and offshore, and this should be no different at home. We support those who serve today, tomorrow and into the future. To support Soldier On, please head to our website at SOLDIERON.ORG.AU

Advertising 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 distirbution 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:

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Soldier On Update *Content that follows may be distressing or triggering for some readers.

David Savage was not a soldier. But that made no difference to the insurgents who directed a 12-year-old boy to blow up a suicide belt next to him on a sunny afternoon in rural Afghanistan. The blast flung David 10 metres into the air. By the time he landed, his body was shot through with 64 ballbearings. David Savage was an Australian Federal Police officer on secondment in Afghanistan for the Department of Foreign Affairs. Not a soldier, but a man who nearly died a soldier’s death. His wounds required more than 20 major operations and months of painful rehab. Even now, nearly six years later, he is dependent on a wheelchair to get around. His wife has had to quit her job to act as his full-time carer. Yet, the psychological impacts have been among the hardest things to bear. “I couldn’t go to the supermarket. I couldn’t answer the phone.”

avid’s story has spurred me to ensure Soldier On keeps faith with our collective obligations to the other Australians who take enormous risks, often alongside Defence personnel, to keep us safe and to project our values in the world. We will continue to help Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans and those still serving connect with the wider community – we are ensuriing that those who serve side by side with the ADF will also be able to access the community and social support they need. Stigma around mental health is slowly reducing within the Australian Defence Force, but there is still much work to do. A new focus on building resilience and stronger partnerships with community-based organisations is delivering some positive returns. But, it is not just the ADF who secures our freedoms and asks a lot of its people. Those that serve in the national security agencies such as the Australian Federal Police and our other security and intelligence agencies play a critical role in securing our way of life. It is Soldier On’s experience that the more protective factors that are in place for those that serve, both in their service or out, the more resilient they are in managing and recovering from trauma. Mental health is often seen as either “well” or “ill”. This is simply not the case. Mental health is more like a continuum. Guarding against mental health injury must be a focus for these organisations and agencies, along with all of us in society.

of intergenerational impacts of trauma, family relationship breakdown, financial distress, unemployment and homelessness, and in the worst case, suicide. Too often we hear from serving men and women that they will not seek support because either they don’t believe they have suffered enough trauma to meet the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) benchmark or that to ask for help means you are weak. We need to change the conversation. The solution requires collaboration across government agencies, corporate Australia and the community. Soldier On offered immediate assistance to David Savage in 2012 because we understood it was our responsibility and honour to do so. In the 21st century we can no longer distinguish between those who wear ADF uniforms and those who wear the uniforms (formal and informal) of our national security agencies. They stand together, side by side, serving to protect Australia. It is up to all of us to work side by side with them, and their families, helping them to secure their futures.

NEED HELP Please contact Soldier On during business hours to speak to one of our psychologists, or call VVCS on 1800 011 046 (24 hours) or Lifeline 13 11 14

We need to work side by side as a community, helping service personnel and their families to deepen their social connections, identify community volunteering opportunities, and when their service career is ended, access meaningful employment. These programs significantly contribute to building more resilient individuals and their families, reducing the incidence

John Bale, CEO #sidebyside

Why

Soldier On

is expanding

Soldier On was founded in 2012 to raise community awareness of, and connection to, the service of contemporary Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. At this time, we were particularly focused on educating the greater community of the impacts that service can have on individuals and their families.

n just five years, Soldier On has broadened from awareness raising and social and sporting activities, to a fully integrated, professional organisation providing services focused on prevention, early intervention, empowerment and support. Although we are often seen as a Veteran Support Organisation, we have regularly supported personnel from other services outside of the ADF who have been impacted by their service. As we have grown in our understanding of the impacts of service on individuals and families, we have also developed a deep appreciation of the sense of isolation and alienation non-ADF service personnel and their families can experience when they are impacted by service. Serving and protecting Australia in complex environments, domestically and globally, requires integrated multiagency and multidisciplinary teams of service personnel to work side by side. This is why Soldier On is officially expanding our support to not only include the ADF, but the greater National Security community.

“During my service I was involved in a serious helicopter crash in East Timor. I was seriously injured and the rescue mission was coordinated by a member of the Australian Federal Police. He was by my side in East Timor and we will stand by their side here in Australia.” Sharon Bown, Nursing Officer, Royal Australian Air Force Soldier On has seen the positive benefits individuals and families from non-ADF backgrounds experience when they are able to access services, support and connection alongside those they have served with. From 10 October 2017, our services will be available across the nation to those who served, and their families, through the national security agencies. Soldier On’s new mission is to work side by side with those who serve and protect Australia, and their families, helping them to secure their future. We hope that you will stand with us, side by side, and show your support to all of the men, women and families who have served our nation. #sidebyside

Soldier On’s

National Fundraising Ball 2017

The 4th Soldier On National Fundraising Ball was held on Saturday 26th August at QT Canberra to huge success.

osted by MC Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann, the evening was chance for 480 of the most influential people in Defence, National Security, business and the community to show their support for our service community. We also celebrated Soldier On’s achievements from the past year, and looked forward to the exciting work we plan to do in the future. Guests were also treated to a fabulous night of entertainment. A flower wall and photo booth were on hand for the perfect picture, while each guest was treated to a delicious blueberry donut thanks to Patissez! Entertainment was provided throughout the evening thanks to our very own Soldier On veterans’ band, and Australian Idol and The Voice contestant Hayley Jensen. Along with the fun, guests were also reminded of the importance of their support, with a moving speech from Soldier On Ambassador David Savage. Supported by Paul and Anthony Field, David shared his incredible story of service to Australia, and his passion for raising awareness about the issues our military members and first responders face as a result of their service.

SOLDIER ON Spring 2017

After the formalities, The Rising Suns from the band of the Royal Military College provided music for guests to let their hair down and dance. The National Fundraising Ball is the biggest fundraising event on the Soldier On calendar. All the money raised at the event goes directly to delivering vital support and services to our service community and their families. Without our amazing supporters, volunteers and corporate sponsors who attend, our National Fundraising Ball would not be possible. Soldier On would like to thank the following event partners for their assistance in making the night a great success: §§ §§ §§ §§

Mark Turner Images National Mailing and Marketing Alec Brown from Peter Blackshaw Manuka Spark’d Events and Marketing Communications §§ Smack Design We would like to thank everyone who donated time, money and prizes to our Ball, and to everyone who attended to support us and learn more about the work we do. A huge thank you also goes to the ADFA cadets who volunteered their time and worked tirelessly all night to assist with running the event.

Please save the date for our 5th National Fundraising on Saturday 15th September 2018. More information will be available in the coming months.

#sidebyside

SOLDIER ONâ&#x20AC;&#x192; Spring 2017

ServiceNow W

hen Cheryl Page and her family were posted overseas for three years with her husband’s job, she decided to have a break from work and be a full-time mum.

But she was concerned that the break in her 15-year IT career would create problems down the track when she wanted to return to work. “I was worried that the hole in my resume would make it difficult for me to get back into the workforce, but also at the same level,” Cheryl, who is originally from the UK, said. Not long after the family was posted to Canberra, in the ACT, Cheryl decided to go along to an information session run by the Defence Community Organisation (DFO), where she spoke of her career fears to a Soldier On representative. The representative suggested Cheryl should consider applying for the ServiceNow and Soldier On Training Program, an intensive two-week IT course run at Soldier’s On’s Canberra headquarters. “During that meeting with the lovely lady from Soldier On, I asked about re-training and becoming re-certified and that’s where I first learned about the course,” Cheryl said.

“There were two parts to the course – the first week allowed you to gain your ITIL certification, and during the second week we were able to gain the ServiceNow system administration certification. “It was a really intensive couple of weeks, but it was awesome.” Cheryl credited the course for her gaining a permanent position as a Service Desk Manager with the Department of Parliamentary Services in September. She said she was one of 20 participants in her course, which she graduated from in May. Cheryl said the course, supported by the Citadel Group, Accenture and CSC and valued at around $10,000, contained two industry panels, allowing participants to have five minutes each with potential employers where they could try to “sell” their skills to them. Cheryl urged others, especially those who may have taken time out from work, to consider the course. “Don’t give up, don’t write yourself off and don’t feel as though you don’t have anything to offer,” she said. “Don’t give up the opportunity to further your learning, and don’t assume that gaps in your career, for whatever the reason, will stop people from employing you.” Soldier On is currently accepting expressions of interest for the ServiceNow and Soldier On Training Program for participants in the ACT or Melbourne for November. For more information email education@soldieron.org.au.

#sidebyside

Grief & Loss A

t some stage throughout our lives most of us will lose someone close to us or something important to us. Serving in a way to protect and secure Australia can expose us to situations and events that increase the likelihood of loss, be that through the death of a friend or colleague or the loss of friendship and belonging when we discharge. When we do experience a loss, it is natural to experience a range of emotions we often refer to as grief. People experience grief in many different ways and whilst these feelings can often be frightening or overwhelming they are part of a natural process that helps us to deal with the loss and move on with our lives in an adaptive way.

What is grief? Grief is a natural emotional response to the loss of someone close or something important to us. People often associate grief with the death of a loved one, however people may also experience grief following a relationship breakdown, the death of a pet, the loss of a friendship, the loss of financial stability, transitioning to a new stage of life such as discharging from the military or posting to a new location, or even the loss of a sense of safety following trauma. Grief can be experienced in many ways such as a feeling of sadness, anxiety, anger or fear. Some people often experience feelings of numbness or a disconnectedness to others. You may even experience feelings of guilt about not feeling the way you are ‘expected to feel’, for not doing something before the loss occurred or even for moving on with your own life after the loss. Some people may even experience a sense of derealisation where things feel ‘unreal’ or like they are in a dream.

The stages of grief The five stages of grief have become a widely known concept. The stages came from a series of studies by Elisabeth KublerRoss on patients with a terminal illness. The five stages are Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. It is important to note that these stages were never meant to be a rigid step-wise process that all people will experience after a loss but rather a flexible description of common emotions people may experience during grief. We may experience none or all of these emotions after a loss however knowing the stages can be helpful to normalise the grieving process.

Complicated grief When someone is struggling to adjust to a loss or the feelings of grief are not subsiding after a long period of time, they may be experiencing complicated grief. Some of the signs of complicated grief are an intense longing and yearning for what was lost, intrusive thoughts of the person who they have lost, denial of the loss or the event, extreme feelings of anger, excessive avoidance of reminders of the loss, avoidance through an increased use of alcohol or other drugs, intense mood swings, neglect of themselves and others they previously cared for, pushing away feelings of the loss and/or excessive feelings of guilt. Whilst the sadness of the loss may always be there, complicated grief may feel like you’re stuck in the grieving process and are unable or unwilling to move on.

Coping with grief Despite the individual and unique ways we experience grief, most people eventually adjust to the loss. Some people may find it helpful to talk about their experience with friends or a trained counsellor. It is important to maintain a healthy diet, regular sleep patterns, regular exercise routines and maintain your social connections as best as possible. Soldier On can assist this process through our social-connectedness activities, sports recovery and education and employment services. Please contact your local Soldier On site to find out what is available in your area.

If someone is experiencing complicated grief, psychotherapy can help to work towards a resolution. If you are considering seeking help, please contact one of the psychologists at Soldier On by either telephoning your closest Soldier On Centre or via email on psychology@soldieron.org.au during business hours, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can contact VVCS through their national contact line on 1800 011 046, at any time of the day or night.

#sidebyside

Family and Relationship

Focus: Serving in an environment that focuses on securing and protecting our country can be exciting, empowering, and make one feel proud for serving their country or community. Unfortunately, sometimes this service comes with exposure to experiences other people do not typically come across, such as bearing witness to death, serious injury and sexual violence, or being in fear of the same. Sometimes it is not just one traumatic experience that can feel overwhelming, but the constant “drip, drip, drip” of numerous “smaller” traumas that culminate in the emergence of distressing symptoms. These symptoms can be seen in three different areas that all intertwine: thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Some of those commonly seen are listed here.

SOLDIER ON Spring 2017

Signs and symptoms to look out for Thoughts: §§ Change in world view – your loved one may start to view the world as unsafe, cruel, and confronting. §§ Rigid thinking – your loved one might be very “black and white” in their thinking, or seem as though they are always striving for perfection, and may expect this from others too, including young children. §§ Overgeneralising and discounting the positive – For instance saying “you always…” §§ Catastrophising – always expecting the worst, or feeling an impending sense of doom that they are unable to shake. §§ Saying “no one understands” – this is difficult to hear from a loved one, especially when you are doing your best to do just that. §§ Intrusive thoughts or memories of events they would rather not think about §§ Memory problems §§ Engaging in negative self-talk such as blaming self or others for traumatic events

Feelings: §§ Loneliness – which may lead to your loved one withdrawing from everyone who “doesn’t understand” §§ Deep sadness and guilt §§ Loss of self-worth §§ Feeling marginalised and rejected §§ Daydreaming, feeling distracted or spaced out §§ Helplessness §§ Suicidal thinking

Behaviours: §§ Being on high alert and startling easily §§ Controlling behaviour toward family/colleagues §§ Angry outbursts which may include family and domestic violence §§ Crying, fighting and being impulsive §§ Self-harm including cutting, burning, hitting self or engaging in risky or dangerous behaviour §§ Lack of energy §§ Changes in eating, weight changes §§ Increased bouts of illness §§ Decrease in sexual interest §§ Sleep difficulty – including inability to get to sleep or constant waking §§ Nightmares and flashbacks (feeling like the traumatic event is happening again) §§ Possible abuse of others in authority, or abusing their own power if they are in a position of authority §§ Avoiding people or situations that remind them of traumatic events

This list does not include everything that people may experience, nor does everyone who has served in such environments experience all of these symptoms, however, if some of these look familiar to you it may be time to have the conversation with your loved one about seeking professional help. A great first place to start seeking help is your health care professional or GP who can assess your situation, consider medication, and make appropriate referrals to specialists. Soldier On has psychologists in numerous locations around the country who may be able to assist you and your loved one. You can get in contact by emailing psychology@soldieron.org.au or calling 1300 620 380. Alternatively, you can contact VVCS through their national contact line on 1800 011 046, at any time of the day or night.

#sidebyside

Jamieson Foley Pty Ltd, Consulting Engineers has been a major sponsor of Soldier On since 2013. Jamieson Foley & Associates | Suite 2201, Level 22 101 Grafton Street Bondi Junction NSW 2022 DX 12008 Bondi Junction | Ph: 02 8095 6433 Fax: 02 9386 1168 | www.jamiesonfoley.com.au

Soldier On behind

dreamwith meeting

golf legend Not only did Gary Sturdy get to meet his alltime golfing hero, but he rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous when he was invited to represent Soldier On at the official opening of the Cathedral Lodge Golf Club in Victoria.

“I

was tasked with walking around the shortened program with Greg Norman, [cricket legend] Ricky Ponting and David Evans, who is the owner of this magnificent club and the farm, which is still a working farm,” Gary said. “In Greg Norman’s own words, this is one of the finest courses he has had the privilege to design.” Gary said he watched Greg Norman warm up on the course prior to the cutting of the ribbon, symbolising the course officially open. He was then paired up with Greg Norman, former Essendon president David Evans and Ricky Ponting for a four-hole invitational, which Gary described as “quite surreal”. Created by David Evans and designed by Greg Norman, the 18hole private course is located on the Goulburn River near Alexandra in the Murrindindi Shire.

“The design did not interfere with the natural landscape and the earthworks that were undertaken were quite minimal, which adds even more mystique to the final canvas,” Gary said. He said he sat down to lunch with Shane Warne and Sam Newman, with a Q and A open forum held over the course of the luscious lunch. “A presentation cheque was made to Soldier On to the value of $6500 plus [they received] the proceeds of the silent auction,” Gary said. “I am sure this money will be put to good use and provide some vital services for our veterans.” Other A-listers at the event included Linfox heir David Fox, Wesfarmers chief Richard Goyder, AFL boss Gillon McLachlan and TV personality Sam Newman. “Thank you Soldier On for this oncein-a-lifetime opportunity and to be able to meet one of my all-time golf heroes was a real highlight,” Gary said. #sidebyside

Living with PTSD? We Can Help Moving Beyond Trauma is a 5-day residential program at the Quest for Life Centre in Bundanoon, 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. Programs 20-24 November 2017

5-9 February 2018

Call 1300 941 488 or visit www.questforlife.com.au

9-13 April 2018

An NDIS provider. Subsidies available. Speak to us if you’re covered by worker’s compensation. Special Offer for Soldier On readers

$200 off

the program fee if you mention ‘Soldier On’ when booking

Entry to the RAAF Museum is FREE!! Opening Hours: 10:00am to 3:00pm Tuesday to Friday

10:00am to 5:00pm Weekends and Public Holidays Closed Mondays, Christmas Day & Good Friday Telephone: (03) 8348 6040 Fax: (03) 8348 6692 Web: www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum Email: RAAF.MuseumInfo@defence.gov.au Facebook: facebook.com/RAAF.Museum

The RAAF Museum, located at Point Cook, is home to an amazing range of historic military aircraft. A great chance to view these rare machines is at the interactive flying displays, which are held every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 1:00 pm (weat her permitting). The Museum has a vast collection of historical material on show, including several hangars with static aircraft, and offers visitors an exciting experience and insight into the history of the Air Force. Models, books, patches, clothing and mementos can be purchased at the Museum shop.

Steps for Strength Kokoda Challenge 2018 Want to trek the Kokoda Track while supporting Soldier On? Join Inspired Adventures on the Steps for Strength Kokoda Challenge next year!

alk alongside other Soldier On supporters on the iconic Kokoda Track, experiencing the stunning scenery of Papua New Guinea, which is equally harsh as it is captivating. As part of this challenge you will raise funds for Soldier On so we can continue our important work with Australia’s service community. By taking part in this unique trek, you will retrace history and gain a great understanding of the conditions faced by our service personnel at war. It is set to be challenging and rewarding. The trail is not for the faint-hearted, but every person on the trek will be there for each other to make it all the way through. Remember, our service personnel are not looking for a hand-out. They’re looking for a hand-up. This is your chance to take on a challenge and raise funds to help our service personnel and families and give them the opportunity to build a successful future. Please note that this activity is not organised through Soldier On for Soldier On participants. It is a fundraising event run by Inspired Adventures. A team from Inspired Adventures will join you on the trek, but no Soldier On support staff will be in attendance.

For more information contact Inspired Adventures via info@ inspiredadventures.com.au or 1300 905 188 or visit their website inspiredadventures.com.au/events/ soldieron-kokoda-2018/

#sidebyside

Melbourne

Marathon Their legs may have felt like “lead” post race, but Sarah and Guy Wallace say the pain associated with completing the Medibank Melbourne Marathon Festival 2017 was “totally worth it”.

he pair, from Wodonga, Victoria, were among 32,000 runners who took part in the event on Sunday, October 15, with Guy competing in the 42.19-kilometre Full Marathon and Sarah the 21.1-kilometre Half Marathon. Sarah finished her race in a little over two hours, while Guy finished in just over 4½ hours. Sarah said the pair chose to donate raised funds to Soldier On, as the organisation related to them on a personal level, with Guy a Registered Nurse with the Australian Army. “Whilst we consider ourselves to be fortunate enough to live healthy and happy lives, we know this is not the case for a large number of past and current-serving members and their families,” Sarah said.

“Whether it be due to harrowing experiences on deployment or struggles and hardships faced on home soil, thousands of members of the military battle physical and mental disabilities every single day.” Meanwhile, firefighters from “Morwell B Shift” are just some of those who got behind mate and fellow firefighter Luke Anderton’s Full Marathon effort, raising more than $5000 for Soldier On. Luke, who is based at Traralgon Fire Station in Victoria, initially hoped to raise $4000 for Soldier On.

“Whilst we consider ourselves to be fortunate enough to live healthy and happy lives, we know this is not the case for a large number of past and current-serving members and their families,”

He said he chose Soldier On as he wanted to help raise funds and awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Soldier On wants to shout out to all of our other amazing fundraisers who come from all corners of Australia to raise funds for our organisation. #sidebyside

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Dietetic services at Soldier On Soldier On continues to evolve and integrate additional support to veterans and their families by now offering nutritional support from Ella Monaghan, an Accredited Practising Dietitian located at the Parkville centre.

common misconception about dietitians is you will be provided with a meal plan outlining what you can and can not eat, essentially acting at the “food police”. This is simply not the case, as we know, no two service personnel or their families are ever the same. Everyone’s experiences, lifestyle and transition process is unique. Therefore, a dietitian will not provide you with a cookie cutter-style meal plan. Instead, the veteran and/or their family will work together with the dietitian as a team to develop practical and realistic strategies to best meet their individual goals based around their lifestyle, food preferences and medical conditions. Dietitians are university trained and have a thorough understanding of the body and how diet can impact various health and medical conditions. A dietitian is qualified to provide nutritional support to assist with a range of medical conditions such as: §§ §§ §§ §§ §§ §§ §§

Weight management High cholesterol High blood pressure Gastrointestinal conditions Allergies/intolerances Diabetes Disordered eating (e.g. binge eating)

§§ Work closely alongside psychologists to focus on mental health by improving nutrition and the side effects associated with some psychological medications (e.g. weight gain, taste changes and food cravings). In addition to helping individuals with medical conditions, dietitians can work with the whole family to develop healthy meal ideas, increase food and nutrition knowledge and help you to select healthier food items when shopping or eating out.

Who is eligible for dietetic services at Soldier On? §§ Ex-serving members of the ADF and Reserves §§ Current-serving members of the ADF and Reserves §§ Partners, spouses and parents of current and ex-serving members §§ National Security Agency personnel

About Dietetics at Soldier On Our Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), Ella Monaghan, provides free consultations with the Soldier On office in Parkville. Ella is passionate about providing nutritional support to service personnel and their families. Ella has experience working with veterans at Austin Health, along with having family members currently serving in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

A referral from your doctor or medical officer is required. There is no out-of-pocket costs for dietetic services. All appointments are bulk billed. To book an appointment or to make an enquiry please contact: dietetics@soldieron.org.au or (02) 6188 6161.

Ella Monaghan

(MDiet, APD, BF&Nutr)

#sidebyside

Purple Warriors A snapped paddle midrace was not enough to deter The Purple Warriors – Australia (PWAUS), who returned home from gruelling competition in Hawaii with Bronze.

WAUS is a new dragon boat club solely for serving and retired Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who have been adversely affected by their service.

The club’s aim is for Australian service personnel, past and present, to have the opportunity to compete against Purple Warriors from around the world, as well as against other Australian clubs, using sport as a way to aid in their recovery and rehabilitation. Soldier On is proud to have supported the PWAUS in their first international race at the Na Koa Wounded Warrior Canoe Regatta 2017 in Honolulu, Hawaii, in August. Purple Warriors, which has teams in the UK, US and Canada, is based on the principles of discipline, professionalism, endeavour and personal sacrifice – qualities familiar to current and former-serving ADF personnel. The PWAUS trains under the expert supervision of Gil Swadling and Ray Bennie, and is currently looking for more members. No prior experience is necessary. For more information, email activities@soldieron.org.au or visit the Purple Warriors Australia website.

SOLDIER ON Spring 2017

Photography Workshop L

ighting, composition, visualisation and how best to shoot landscape and nature were just some of the topics covered during an intensive photography workshop on Sunday, October 15. Six participants were given expert advice and tuition from award-winning photographer Darran Leal, from World Photo Adventure, during the one-day workshop held in Mascot, Sydney. Darran has published six books, and specialises in travel and outdoor photography. Darran, who has held more than 400 photography workshops and seminars around the world, approached Soldier On to offer his services. The workshop kept in with Darran’s “keep it simple” approach to photography, with participants also learning about depth of field, how to process and use images as well as tips on how to get the best out of culture and creative shooting.

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#sidebyside

Activities Update

Learn to sail day Learning how to skipper yachts was absolute plain sailing for participants from Robertson Barracks in Darwin when they joined Soldier On for a learn to sail day in early September. The new sailors learnt the ropes under the expert tuition of the coaching team at Darwin Sailing Club, and took to the sport like ducks to water - racing each other around Darwin Harbour in no time. The hugely-successful day, which was supported by the ADF Adaptive Sports program and the ADF Sailing Association, kicked off with aÂ barbecue hosted by local MP Luke Gosling, who spent 13 years in the Army. Photo credit: Lorenzo Lodge

SOLDIER ONâ&#x20AC;&#x192; Spring 2017

Veterans' Health Week Physical health is the theme of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Veteransâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Health Week which was held from Saturday, October 21 to Sunday, October 29. The initiative aims to promote good health and wellbeing in the veteran and ex-service community. Soldier On recognises and understands the importance of physical activity and conducted an array of activities in each state, from sailing and stand-up paddleboarding to cycling and indoor skydiving. #sidebyside

Activities Update

Family sailing day Nine Soldier On participants and their families took to the high seas on Sunday and learnt the ropes of sailing as part of a Family Sailing Day. Junior squad members and volunteers from The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club donated their boats and time to sail families from Newport, on Sydney’s northern beaches, to Portuguese Beach at Pittwater. Families were taken ashore in a variety of vessels, from small boats to yachts, and once on shore, enjoyed a barbecue lunch as well as an array of water activities. They were also given the opportunity to learn how to sail under the guidance of qualified instructors and coaches from the Yacht Club. Connecting with family members and friends through fun and exciting activities with a physical component such as sailing, is particularly beneficial for current service personnel or former personnel in their transition from military to civilian life. A growing body of research suggests people who experience high levels of social connectedness can have lower levels of mental health problems including depression and anxiety (beyondblue, 2015). Current and ex-service military personnel have been identified as an especially-vulnerable population with reported high rates of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, substance abuse and suicide when compared with the general population (Bryan et al, 2012).

Family Ties Program Interactive sessions, communication workshops, team building and even a couple’s yoga class formed the basis of a Family Ties Program held in Canberra on October 7 and 8. Funded by the Ian Potter Foundation, the program aims to strengthen family bonds and provide participants with the tools needed to enable families to stay connected in the future. The program will next head to not-for-profit organisation, Outward Bound, in Tharwa, ACT, in January 2018, for three days of adventure therapy for the whole family. Outward Bound is an educational organisation that helps people discover, develop and achieve their potential. p Above Couple’s yoga session.

Soldier On is extremely grateful for the ongoing support from The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, who also regularly run learn to sail programs for our participants. To find out more about activities going on in your state and to get involved contact:

ACT – act@soldieron.org.au NSW – nsw@soldieron.org.au VIC – vic@soldieron.org.au SA – sa@soldieron.org.au WA/NT - wa@soldieron.org.au QLD – qld@soldieron.org.au

SOLDIER ON Spring 2017

Fundraising heroes The Gift Three family members who served in numerous wars, including one who was a light horseman, was the inspiration behind Sandi Lear’s stunning watercolour “The Gift”. Sandi painted the extraordinary piece for the Gallipoli Art Prize, and dedicated it to all those who have served, including the oftenforgotten animals of war. “[It is] especially in memory of my Great Uncle, a light horseman who served and survived both WWI and WWII, my grandfather, who was shot and survived [conflict] in Egypt, and my father, who served and survived the ‘forgotten’ Korean War,” Sandi said. “My dad said to me about a year ago, ‘why don’t you paint a horse drinking from a slouch hat?’ and so I did, so this artwork holds extra special meaning to me now, as he passed away recently,” Sandi added. While the piece was not selected as a finalist for the Prize, it went viral on Facebook, with Sandi being inundated with more than 4000 requests to purchase prints. “I do not do ‘prints’, however, as a lot of people who contacted me were serving military personnel, and I have personal experience of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), I agreed to produce a very limited Military and Public Edition of this work - no more than 50 of each,” Sandi said. This initiative resulted in Sandi being able to donate a staggering $3110 to Soldier On. Sandi said that she was hoping to continue with her limited-edition art fundraising efforts for Soldier On into 2018. “I gratefully dedicate this work to all the animals, men, and women serving and no longer serving, whose daily sacrifices may go unacknowledged, but [they] forge bonds of unbreakable mateship, and give the ultimate gift,” Sandi added.

Laura Hooper For most teenage girls, the concept of shaving their hair off would be unthinkable. But Laura Hooper is embracing the clippers in support of Australia’s service men and women. The 16-year-old Armidale teen is shaving her gorgeous Rapunzel-like locks to raise $10,000 for Soldier On. Laura, who aims to join the Australian Defence Force herself, said she was inspired to make the chop because of personal affiliation with Defence personnel during her lifetime. “I am a 16 year old unable to imagine the challenges our soldiers face each and every day,” Laura said. “They experience things that can completely change their lives and, so for this fundraiser, I will make a small change in my life by shaving my hair.” Laura said she was grateful that there was an organisation such as Soldier On that looked after past and present service people. So far, Laura has raised $130 and hopes more people will jump on board to support her cause. Soldier On is grateful to Laura for her fundraising efforts and wishes her the best of luck.

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Fundraising heroes Ronnie hobbs Losing his good mate and fellow soldier to suicide three years ago had a deep impact on Ronnie Hobbs. So he decided to do something about it. Ronnie aimed to raise $2390 for former service men and women suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder when he got some mates together to help him complete a 239-kilometre run from Caversham to Jurien Bay, Western Australia. But he smashed that figure out of the park, raising $10,300 for Soldier On, which provides mental health support to those who have and are currently serving Australia. Dubbed “Ronnie’s 239k Challenge”, the journey took him 37 hours to complete, including breaks, with Ronnie’s actual running time being 28 hours and 52 minutes. Ronnie had a swag of supporters for the challenge, with friends running some of the distance with him and others driving support vehicles. Friends who Ronnie hadn’t seen in more than a decade even made the trek from Tasmania and Victoria to lend their support to the effort. Ronnie kept followers up to date during the gruelling journey via Facebook videos and updates. “I won’t lie, I’m still very lame from the run, but I am proud to see so much support given towards this challenge,” Ronnie said. “Through kind donations, this much-needed funding goes towards helping [former and current serving personnel] and their families. “You were courageous when you put on your slouch hat for the first time, so please be courageous when you remove it. Don’t let this terrible illness [PTSD] beat you.” Ronnie was in the Army for 12 years, and served in two campaigns in East Timor.

SOLDIER ON Spring 2017

Want to Support those who put their

lives on the line for their country? Regular Giving There are approximately 210 people who participate in our regular giving program. Over the year, they have donated a combined total of $50,000. For just $5 a week, you can lend a helping hand to service personnel and their families. Your commitment will help us provide more services across the country. Sign up at donation.giveeasy.org/soldier-on.

Workplace Giving Soldier On has over 14 companies who have registered with our workplace giving program, including the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Soldier On is grateful for the support from employees of these organisations, and encourages other workplaces to get involved.

Bequest For information on how to leave a bequest to Soldier On in your Will, contact us.

Fundraise You can fundraise for Soldier On by holding a fundraiser or participating in an event. You can host a BBQ, a dinner or trivia night or a theme day, or participate in an obstacle course, fun run or bike ride. The only limit is your motivation and imagination. Contact us to find out how on 02 6188 6110.

For more information visit our website, or email fundraise@soldieron.org.au

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Our Corporate Partners Soldier On are grateful for the support of so many Corporate partners and sponsors. Please see below for the organisations that provide vital funding that keeps Solder On and its support alive.

Principal Partners

Major Partners

Ernest Heine Family Foundation Principal In-Kind Partners In Kind Supporters

Strategic Partner

Legal Partner

With thanks to

Our centres were made possible by DHA Andre Obradovic Melbourne Military Officers Ball Military Shop Maloney's Concord Hospital

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Gerald Slaven GoodGuys Ian Potter Foundation Movember

Perpetual Trustees Wheatley Foundation The Rotary Club of Sydney

Lyone Foundation Surfing Australia Club Lime Anzac Day Trust

Free counselling sessions provided by Soldier On Soldier On recognises a veteran’s time in the Defence Force doesn’t just impact him or her; it can impact the whole family. Whether you are the parent, wife, husband, sibling or child of service personnel, you may feel the need to speak to one of our psychologists. Soldier On offers a range of psychology services for service personnel and families, including individual counselling for adults and adolescents, as well as couples and family counselling. Our psychological treatment is evidence-based and can address a range of mental health concerns, including trauma and stressrelated issues, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, pain, and injury-adjustment concerns. Contact psychology@soldieron.org.au for more information or to book an appointment in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Currumbin or Perth.

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