Soldier On Summer 2016 by Countrywide Austral

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Inside this edition:

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Veterans and Depressionâ&#x20AC;

Summer 2016

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Contents Regular Items 5 24 26 28

Soldier On Update Activities update Fundraising heroes Our corporate partners

Feature Stories 6 8

EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year

Pledge to support veteran employment

12 14

Soldier On centres officially open

Our Veteran and Family Support program

Thank you for helping our veterans Soldier On

Politicians ride to support our veterans

18 21

Veterans and depression

Assistance Dogs program

Providing veterans and families with mental health support

12 2

SOLDIER ON Summer 2016

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

About Us Soldier On is a national not-for-profit focused on helping veterans and their families build successful futures. Our mission is to achieve the best reintegrated generation of serving and ex-serving defence personnel in Australia’s history. We believe the best way to achieve this is by offering a range of support, services, resources and opportunities to veterans and their families, including: §§ Employment Support Services – Soldier On has Veteran and Family Support Officers working in our centres that specialise in helping veterans and their families forge new career paths after leaving the military. These services help veterans leverage existing skillsets for civilian employment, identify gaps in their skillsets and identify appropriate training, education and career development opportunities. §§ Mental Health Support – Soldier On provides evidence based psychological treatment to veterans who have been affected by their service, as well as their family members, including partners, children, parents and siblings. Our psychologists can address a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma and stress related issues and pain and injury adjustment concerns, as well as relationship and family counselling. We have psychologists available in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Currumbin, and Perth from January 2017. §§ Social Connected Activities and Programs – We offer a range of wellbeing activities and programs to encourage veterans and their families to reconnect with themselves, their loved ones and the wider community. Some of these activities include regular coffee catch ups, yoga and art classes, Surf Therapy program, golf days, sailing days and more. 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. Countrywide Austral adheres to stringent ethical advertising practices and any advertising inquiries should be directed to:

Level 2, 310 King St, Melbourne VIC 3000 GPO Box 2466, Melbourne VIC 3001 Ph: 03 9937 0200 Fax: 03 9937 0201 Email: admin@cwaustral.com.au Web: www.cwaustral.com.au

Australian Government Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service

www.vvcs.gov.au

P02837_May 2016

Veterans | Families | Eligible ADF

Soldier On Update We live in a very lonely society. Our only relief is whatever deep connections we might be lucky enough to make. There are few deeper connections than those forged under the great stress of conflict or shared sacrifice.

ypically, people sign up to the Defence Force when they are still young. They join a tightly knit community where they put the team and the mission above themselves.

But military service carries a sting in the tail.

When veterans leave, it is often the most stressful period in their life. Cut adrift from the mateship, rituals, and lifeand-death bonds of their service identity, civilian society can appear alien and alienating. In military-speak it is called “transition.” And for many veterans, it is scarier than war. In his latest book, “Tribe”, the US war correspondent Sebastian Junger dives into the heart of this mystery. Why was it that only ten percent of US forces deployed to Afghanistan saw combat, yet close to 50 percent have subsequently filed for PTSD disability payments? Junger identifies a psychological disturbance as profound and deadly as post-combat trauma, and which shares many of its symptoms. He calls it “transition disorder.” Although US and Australian societies are different in important ways, Junger’s conclusion resonates here. Contemporary veterans can suffer a loss of confidence and identity during transition. We see it all the time. Veterans don’t know where they fit in, and Australian society is still struggling to understand who they are. It is tough enough for those veterans who make their own choice to leave the military. It can be far worse for those being discharged on medical grounds. Making transition more complicated is no two veterans have the same experience. While supporting veterans we need to guard against a “victim” narrative, where civilians view all veterans as damaged and deserving of pity. Veterans are not victims. They are our national heroes. They are assets to our country, both in uniform and out of it. Some veterans may be impacted by their experiences, but all our veterans deserve the right support and opportunities to build successful futures after their service to Australia. More than just deserving this, veterans have remarkable skillsets and personal attributes Australia needs to start recognising.

Many of the serious issues within the veteran community can be traced back to a failure to re-integrate veterans into the community during the transition phase. Our veterans have played an important role in keeping our country safe. What veterans need is employment opportunities that allow them to continue living life with such purpose and pride. They also need support. Those with physical or psychological impacts from their service may need support in overcoming injury and mental health challenges. With the right support, there is hope these veterans can rebuild their lives and continue to contribute to society. But we also must look after those veterans who currently say they are ok. We know mental health illnesses can bubble to the surface at any stage, and we need processes in place to check in on our veterans from time-to-time. Looking after them immediately after war is not enough, we need to look after them for the rest of their lives. Providing this kind of support and employment opportunities is key to ensuring we do not fail this generation of veterans like we failed the last generation. In a society that places employment at the centre of our social worth, giving veterans a hand-up but not a hand-out in finding new work is the greatest gesture of support a nation can offer. Thanking veterans for their service is bigger than a bumper sticker. Help us find great work for the people who committed themselves to keeping us safe. Australia’s veterans will overwhelmingly succeed in any business or volunteering role they take on.

John Bale, CEO Helping our wounded warriors

EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year T

he EY Entrepreneur of the Year award is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs, recognising the contribution of those who inspire with their vision, leadership and achievement. Soldier On co-founders John Bale and Dr Danielle Clout won the award for the 2016 ‘Social Entrepreneur’ category in the Eastern Region of Australia. Although they did not receive the national award, this nomination and state award is still an amazing achievement and recognition for the incredible amount of work John, Danielle and the Soldier On team have achieved in just four-and-a-half-years.

SOLDIER ON Summer 2016

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ADF Super is the new superannuation scheme for members of the Australian Defence Force. ADF Super gives you more flexibility in how you manage your super.

Visit us at adfsuper.gov.au

Defence force personnel image courtesy of Department of Defence

Our Veteran and Family Support Program In November we launched our Veteran and Family Support program, which was covered by Sunrise, Channel 7 news, Channel 9 news, SBS and various radio stations and newspapers across the country.

e spent over 12 months researching and developing this program to ensure it is of world-class standard. The program directly supports the Prime Minister’s Veteran Employment Program but it is about much more than just working with industry to provide veterans and their families with job opportunities. Our program focuses on providing veterans and their families with employment support services, mental health support and social connected activities and programs to help them overcome any impacts from their service and build successful, happy futures post service to Australia. As part of our program we are asking industry to pledge their support to veterans and their families and recognise their remarkable skillsets, training and experiences to provide them with fitting job opportunities. Our veterans have been incredible leaders in uniform; this program is about allowing them to continue to be leaders out of it. So what do you need to know about Soldier On’s Veteran and Family Support Program? Soldier On has identified that transitioning from the military to civilian life is a stressful experience for veterans and their families. That’s why we have hired a team of experts to help veterans and their families better navigate this process. To help veterans forge new career paths and overcome any impacts from their service, we provide the following services:

SOLDIER ON Summer 2016

Employment Support Services Soldier On has Veteran and Family Support Officers working in our centres that specialise in helping veterans and their families forge new career paths after leaving the military. These services are open to all veterans who have served in the Defence Force since 1990, as well as their family members. These services will help veterans leverage existing skillsets for civilian employment, identify gaps in their skillsets and identify appropriate training, education and career development opportunities to forge new career paths. Veteran and Family Support Officers will also work on short-term and long-term employment goals with veterans, recognising many will need to earn an income while they pursue a new career. They also ensure veterans and their family members are prepped and suited for job opportunities. If unsuccessful, Soldier On will continue to support you not only through employment and training opportunities but through social connected activities and psychological support, if required. For those unable to return to paid employment, Soldier On is setting up volunteer opportunities so there is the chance to continue to engage with others and connect with the community. As well as through our centres, these services are available via Skype and phone meetings. Please email veteranemployment@soldieron. org.au to find out more or to access these services.

Mental Health Support Soldier On provides evidence-based psychology treatments to veterans who have been affected by their service, as well as their family members, including partners, children, parents and siblings. Veterans do not have to have deployed to be eligible for this service. Our psychologists have specific experience in supporting those who have served. Our psychologists have specific knowledge, training and experience in working with people affected by trauma, including traumas not related to combat. We can help with:

Social Connected Activities and Programs Soldier On offers a range of social connected activities and programs to encourage veterans and their families to reconnect with themselves, their loved ones and the wider community. Social connected activities and programs have a range of purposes and benefits, from forming part of a veteran’s mental health treatment to allowing veterans and their families to connect with others and build vital support networks. Soldier On offers a range of programs and activities, ensuring there is something for everyone. Examples include:

§§ Transition from military to civilian life

§§ S oldier On’s Surf ‘Therapy’ Program

§§ I mpact of deployment/separation/relocation and family integration

§§ Golf days §§ Coffee catch-ups

§§ C omplex Trauma/PTSD and stress-related issues

§§ Art classes

§§ Mood disorders, such as depression

§§ Creative writing classes

§§ Anxiety disorders

§§ Music classes

§§ Relationship and interpersonal difficulties

§§ Yoga classes

§§ M en’s and women’s weekend workshops §§ Family days §§ Sailing days §§ Cycling programs §§ Volunteering programs and opportunities

§§ Chronic pain and injury adjustment concerns Our psychology services incur no out of pocket expenses to veterans and their family members and there are no limits on the number of sessions allowed. We have Soldier On psychologists at our centres in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Currumbin. We also have a psychologist starting in our Perth centre in January.

You do not have to access all of our support services. Some veterans or family members may just want help forging a new career path. Others may want to access our mental health support services. And some people may just want to catch up with other veterans and families and attend our social connected activities and programs. We encourage veterans and their families to connect with Soldier On to access any or all of these services.

Please email psychology@soldieron.org.au to book an appointment with one of our psychologists or to find out more about these services.

We also know the experiences veterans have endured throughout their military careers will stay with them for life, which means we will be here to support you today, tomorrow and the rest of your life. Helping our wounded warriors

Changing Work for the Better ServiceNow is changing the way people work. By placing a service-oriented lens on the activities, tasks and processes that make up day-to-day work life, we help the modern enterprise operate faster and be more scalable than ever before. As the enterprise cloud company, ServiceNow provides a service model that defines, structures and automates the flow of work, removing email and spreadsheets from the process to streamline the delivery of services.

www.servicenow.com CAE thanks all veterans for their service and is proud to partner with Soldier On to help honour and support Australia’s wounded warriors.

@CAE_Defence

caeaus@cae.com.au

CAE Australia Pty Ltd | Unit 40, Slough Business Park | Slough Avenue | Silverwater, NSW 2125

Pledge to support Veteran Employment

What is the

Why should

Pledge? you Pledge? Soldier On is asking organisation’s to support the veteran community, particularly in relation to employment opportunities. While the Pledge is non-binding, it clearly outlines how and what organisations can do to create ‘veteran-friendly’ workplaces and truly recognise the skills and attributes that ex-service men and women, and their families, bring to the Australian workforce.

You are not being asked to promise or hand out jobs to veterans, or to show favouritism, rather, you are being asked to provide greater opportunities, flexibility and to develop a greater understanding of the veteran community within your organisation.

take the

By taking the Pledge, you will be directly supporting the future of our ex-service men and women and their families. Not only are you are thanking them for their service to our nation in the most meaningful way, but, you are recognising their skills, their leadership and their commitment to the Australian public during and post service.

For more information about signing the Pledge, email pledge@soldieron.org.au.

Helping our wounded warriors

Soldier On Centres

Officially Open to Support Veterans and Families

Sydney Opening

Michael Fussell Reintegration and Recovery Centre O

n the 10th October, the Michael Fussell Reintegration Centre was officially opened by New South Wales Governor His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSD (Ret’d) and Mrs Linda Hurley. The centre is a hub for all our services in NSW and houses psychologists and Veteran and Family Support Officers who specialise in employment support and social connected programs and activities.

SOLDIER ON Summer 2016

p Above L-R: John Bale, Mrs Linda Hurley, Ken Fussell, Governor David Hurley and Dan Fussell.

The centre is named after fallen serviceman, Lieutenant Michael Fussell, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2008. This is especially fitting, as Michael Fussell and Soldier On CEO and Co-Founder, John Bale, grew up together in Armidale. Not only did they attend high school together, but they later attended the Royal Military College in Canberra together and both enjoyed careers in the Australian Army. It was Michael Fussell’s death which inspired John, Cavin Wilson and Dr Danielle Clout to start Soldier On.

Perth Opening

Jason Brown Reintegration and Recovery Centre T

he Jason Brown Reintegration and Recovery Centre was officially opened on 24th October in Perth by Federal Member for Canning, Andrew Hastie MP, extending Soldier On’s services in the WA region. Mr Hastie said he looked forward to seeing the WA veteran community flourishing with the assistance of the centre. The centre is named after fallen serviceman Trooper Jason Brown, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010. Trooper Brown was from the Perth-based Special Air Service Regiment. He joined the Army on 13 June 2000 and following Recruit and Initial Employment Training, Trooper Brown was posted to the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. In 2004 he joined the 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, and on successful

p Above L-R: John Bale, Graham Brown, Ann Brown and Andrew Hastie MP.

completion of the 2007 Selection Course, Trooper Brown became a member of the Special Air Service Regiment. As well as a providing psychology services from January, the centre runs a number of social connected programs and activities for veterans and their family members.

The official opening of these centres marks Soldier On’s continued efforts to provide veterans and their families with employment support services, mental health support and social connected activities. These services are aimed at healing the physical and mental scars that are often left after a veterans time in service and helping them forge new careers once they leave the military.

Helping our wounded warriors

u o y k n a Th

For Helping our veterans

Soldier On

During November, Soldier On asked the government, industry, business and the community to host a BBQ to raise much needed funds and help our veterans soldier on.

e would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who hosted a BBQ (roughly 200 of you!) and to everyone who went along and supported these BBQs. And we can’t forget those who took the time to buy a virtual sausage and drink, we hope it was delicious! The money raised throughout November will help us roll out our Veteran and Family support program to more people across Australia. Stay tuned to find out the results of your BBQ efforts. A huge shout out to Newcast Studios who filmed and produced the television commercial for free for us. And a special thanks to our media partner Southern Cross Austereo for playing our radio and television commercials free of charge and hosting a number of BBQs around the country. To find out more about either of these companies, visit www.newcast.com.au or www.southerncrossaustero.com.au.

Helping our wounded warriors

Protecting You

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Protecting Protecting You Protecting You You

Protecting You

Unique Unions

Celebrant and Civil Partnerships Email: deborahb303@optusnet.com.au

Mob: 0488 574 924 Proudly Supporting Soldier On.

Politicians

Ride to Support Our

Veterans

oldier On is excited to be the charity beneficiary of Pollie Pedal in 2017. Pollie Pedal is an annual event hosted by The Hon Tony Abbott MP, which sees Abbott and a team of riders cover 1000kms over eight days, travelling through regional and rural Australia. First started 19 years ago, Pollie Pedal has raised more than $4.5 million dollars for numerous charity organisations, so it truly is a privilege to be the chosen charity for 2017. If you are a veteran who would like to register your interest in taking part in the ride, please email your contact details to act@soldieron.org.au by 23rd December. The ride will take place from Sunday 2nd Sunday 9th of April 2017 travelling from Albury, NSW to Sydney.

Helping our wounded warriors

Veterans and

Depression

hilst there is growing recognition that trauma can result in difficulties such as PTSD, there tends to be less focus on depression, which is actually the highest reported mental health problem in Australian military populations. Depression in the military and veterans often co-occurs with PTSD. It is also commonly seen in people dealing with life-changing injuries and chronic pain. Depression is a common response to trauma and loss. The more trauma someone experiences, the higher the risk of experiencing depression. We know that for a variety of reasons it takes most people many years to access help, if at all. The longer one waits the more entrenched these difficulties can become.

Signs you may be experiencing low mood/depression There are a lot of misconceptions about depression, but here are some common signs that could indicate it may be a problem: §§ L ow self-esteem or self-worth, including negative thoughts or feelings about oneself §§ D isrupted sleep including sleeping too much or too little (insomnia) §§ Changes in appetite or weight §§ Difficulties managing feelings, such as anger or anxiety §§ Poor concentration and memory §§ Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities §§ Reduced or absent sex drive §§ F inding it difficult to motivate yourself to do things which now seem to be too much effort or meaningless §§ Reduced pain tolerance §§ Low energy levels

SOLDIER ON Summer 2016

What you can do if you or someone you know is experiencing low mood or depression If you have been experiencing some or many of the above, it is a good idea to let someone know such as a trusted family member or friend. You should also seek professional help, which you can do with your doctor or one of Soldier On’s psychologists. Depression by its nature can make it feel like things will not get better but we know there are a range of different strategies that help, including evidence-based psychological therapies such as CBT and Interpersonal Therapy. Practical strategies to facilitate recovery include having a regular schedule, engaging in pleasurable activities and exercise.

If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself and/or others At times, people may feel so low and unable to see a way forward that they experience thoughts of suicide. These sometimes occur with thoughts of harming others. Soldier On’s psychologists work with clients struggling with these types of thoughts to keep the client and those around them safe. This involves managing the immediate risk, safety planning, and, providing evidence based psychological therapies to help clients to not act on and move past these difficult thoughts and feelings.

It is only when there is a serious risk of harm to self or others that psychologists are ethically bound to breach confidentiality and contact crisis mental health services for additional support. Our Psychologists actively involve clients in this process, and encourage them to also involve their family, friends and support networks in risk management, where appropriate. At these times, our psychologists will also look to inform all those involved in their client’s care to ensure they receive ongoing support. This way of working fits with the Mental Health Act principal of managing mental health crises in the least restrictive environment to ensure safe and effective care. If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself and/or others we want to let you know there is help available.

Soldier On psychologists are available during business hours, Monday to Friday, on psychology@soldieron.org.au. Outside of these times, you can contact crisis numbers such as VVCS on 1800 011 046 or Lifeline 13 11 14, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for advice or support.

Helping our wounded warriors

Excellence in Support for the Ex-Service Community

Vasey RSL Care specialises in Independent Living Villages, residential care and home care for veterans and war widows. We serve those who have served our nation.

T 1300 602 108 W www.vaseyrslcare.org.au

YorBestBody Healthy Mind and Body Balance

45 Chard Road Brookvale NSW 2100

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Proudly Supporting Soldier On Even The Bravest and Toughest can Carry Scars

Providing Veterans and Families with Mental Health Support Soldier On is focused on providing support to Australian veterans who have been psychologically wounded from their service to our country, and we are proud to offer high quality psychological counselling with clinicians in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Currumbin (and Perth from January 2017).

Our services incur no out-of-pocket expenses. We offer evidence-based psychological treatment to address a range of mental health issues, including: §§ Trauma and stress-related issues §§ Depression §§ Anxiety §§ Relationship difficulties §§ Pain and injury adjustment concerns These services are open to veterans who have served in the Australian Defence Force in the years from 1990, as well as their family members. For more information or to book an appointment, please email psychology@soldieron.org.au Helping our wounded warriors

Assistance Dogs Program For years we have been told that a dog is man’s best friend. But for some people, dogs play a much bigger part in their life than just friendship and comfort. Trained dogs are renowned for providing assistance to people with vision impairments, physical disabilities, autism and other health conditions.

ut what many people don’t realise is dogs can also be trained to support veterans who experience anxiety, hyper-vigilance, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a physical disability resulting from their military service to Australia. Depending on a veteran’s “triggers” for PTSD, service dogs can be trained to assist in a number of ways, including: §§ Entering an empty room or house and clearing it first to give a veteran peace of mind before entering. §§ Standing in front of a veteran and creating a barrier to provide comfort. §§ Providing physical contact to a veteran if they are experiencing a nightmare. §§ Providing routine and encouraging veterans to leave the house and undertake day-to-day tasks. We have seen first-hand the difference a service dog can make to the life of a veteran, and we are excited to announce that in early 2017 Soldier On will be launching its Assistance Dogs Program.

What is the Assistance Dogs Program? Veterans who are impacted from their service to Australia can apply to participate in the Assistance Dogs Program. If selected, Soldier On will provide you with a pure-bred Labrador or you can bring your own dog to the program, if it is deemed suitable for training. The program, which has been developed in partnership with an accredited service dog training provider and Soldier On psychologists, will train you as dog handlers, allowing you to train your own dog. Owning a dog that you have personally trained through the Program can have enormous benefits, including reducing the costs of medication both during and after training, reducing periods of hospitalisation and providing a complementary therapy to assist in management of anxiety and hyper-vigilance. The dogs provided through the program will be trained by you/handlers to meet the skills assessment requirements of the Public Access Test. This means that, when qualified, you can take your dog anywhere. The comfort of being able to take your trained dog to cafes, shopping centres, cinemas, on public transport and more, encourages you to tackle every day tasks and stay connected to family, friends, and the wider community. A trained service dog may even assist some veterans to return to the workforce. The program is first being rolled out in Canberra at Soldier On’s Robert Poate Reintegration and Recovery Centre. It will then be rolled out at Soldier On’s centres in Sydney and Melbourne throughout 2017. This program will work side-byside, and in addition to, psychological treatment. To find out more about the Assistance Dogs Program contact Ben Johnson on 0412 547 889. Further information on the Program and how to apply will be made available early next year.

SOLDIER ON Summer 2016

Helping our wounded warriors

Activities Update

East Timor A group of seven Timor-Leste veterans travelled to Dili for a week in September as part of a Soldier On volunteer program. In Dili they helped convert a bus into a mobile learning centre. Filled with literacy books, music equipment and other educational resources, the bus will visit preschools, orphanages and disability centres to create excitement around education and learning in the children of Timor-Leste. The group also toured around Dili, revisiting several sites that were relevant to their past experiences. For these veterans, having the opportunity to revisit the country and see the improvements that have been made since their deployment can provide a sense of closure. Brett Rufus, Clinical Psychologist at Soldier On, explains that during this trip not only do the veterans feel positive about giving back to the community, but they have the chance to see firsthand the difference both Australia made as a nation and they made as individuals. Most importantly, enabling these veterans to revisit Timor as part of their recovery often allows them to progress towards making peace with what they have seen and experienced. Participants said that the program gave them a sense of purpose, a feeling of accomplishment and a better understanding of the whole situation. Soldier On would like to sincerely thank the program sponsor, Thales, as well as Mary MacKillop International, and the Australian Defence Force and Australian Federal Police Teams in Timor-Leste for making the program a success. Also, a big thank you to The Good Guys who kindly donated six computer tablets for the educational bus.

SOLDIER ONâ&#x20AC;&#x192; Summer 2016

Diploma of Project Management A number of participants were recently presented with their Diploma in Project Management in Canberra. As part of our Veteran and Family Support Program, courses like these create opportunities for veterans and their families to earn qualifications and forge new career paths. Soldier On would like to give a huge thankyou to Stuart Jenkins from Adept TC and the team at Parasol for their ongoing support. Their continuous donation of time and services allows veterans and their families the opportunity to undertake these courses and build successful futures once they have left the Defence Force.

Surfing Earlier in the year Soldier On partnered with Surfing Australia and nudie juices to offer surf ‘therapy’ programs to current and ex-serving members of the Defence Force. This partnership provides participants with a unique rehabilitation experience. As part of our Surf ‘Therapy’ Program, Surfing Australia offers both intermediate surf camps at the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre at Casuarina Beach, and learn to surf lessons facilitated by Surfing Australia affiliated Surf Schools across Australia. Now that summer has hit, these programs are taking place around the country. Following the roll out of the first program in October, we received great feedback from participants.

V8 Superlaps Soldier On has partnered with V8 Superlaps Production Touring Car Championship to provide volunteer opportunities for veterans and their families throughout the 2016 V8 Superlaps Championships series. The partnership gives volunteers the chance to be part of the pitcrew team, the race media team, the technical team and more. There have been numerous opportunities throughout the year for veterans to get involved, with the most recent being at the Winton Raceway Double Crown Endurance Races over the first weekend in December.

Tennis Tennis Australia teamed up with Soldier On to offer veterans and their families the opportunity to learn how to play tennis during a free 6-week program in Sydney. This was a fantastic chance for veterans and their family members to meet and mingle with others from the Defence community while learning a fantastic new skill.

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 Helping our wounded warriors

Fundraising heroes Canberra Girls Grammar School The boarders at Canberra Girls Grammar School chose Soldier On as their charity for 2016, undertaking several fundraising activities, including hosting a BBQ at the end of their school fun run. They raised an incredible $2286.55, and presented the cheque to Soldier On service ambassador David Savage at their school assembly.

ADA The team from Australian Defence Apparel took part in the City2Sea and raised an amazing $6000 for Soldier On. To top it all off, ADA matched the amount that their employees raised! Thank you to ADA for their continued and generous support.

Debbie Goss Debbie Goss rode 818 kilometres along the Mawson Trail from Adelaide to Blinman in the Flinders Ranges, raising an impressive $4520 for Soldier On. During the last couple of days, Debbie was unable to follow the Mawson Trail due to the wild weather that hit South Australia, but she pushed through the mud and the rain to get to the finish. Debbie said “The times when it was cold, wet and muddy along with the sunny days made the journey such an unforgettable experience and to meet so many people who were willing to help and donate, it was truly a special time.”

SOLDIER ON Summer 2016

Wingham High School Year 12 at Wingham High School chose Soldier On as their charity for 2016, and spent the year fundraising at their school and in their community. They made a CD which they sold at local events and shops, held concerts, cake stalls, car washes, lunches and sausage sizzles, and one boy even cut off all of his long hair. They raised an incredible $7000 and did it all while studying hard for their HSC.

Want to Support our

Modern Veterans? 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 the price of a cup of coffee, regular giving is a simple and easy way to help Soldier On support veterans and their families. Sign up at donation.giveeasy. org/soldier-on.

New York Marathon A group of ten runners, many of whom were veterans and some whom Soldier On has supported, signed up at the beginning of the year to take part in the New York Marathon while raising money for Soldier On. After many months of hard work training and fundraising, the team took part in the marathon on 6 November, after having raised over $133,000. This is an absolutely amazing fundraising effort, and we cannot thank the team enough for their dedication to the cause. Hats off to all the runners, and all their generous families and friends who dug so deep to support our modern veterans.

Cairnsbands For the past twelve years, Cairnsbands has presented an annual concert in conjunction with the Band of the First Battalion (RAR) from Townsville. As part of the opening series of a new entertainment facility in Cairns, Cairnsbands performed a concert themed around music from various war periods, and organised a collection for Soldier On as part of their performance, raising an amazing $2281.70.

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.

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

Helping our wounded warriors

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

Ernest Heine Family Foundation Principal In-Kind Partners

Major Partners

In Kind Supporters

Strategic Partner

Legal Partner

RPS Group

ACT Fitness Partner

Champions

Associates

Jamieson Foley Audi Centre Canberra Hewlett Packard AUS.

SOLDIER ONâ&#x20AC;&#x192; Summer 2016

Ainslie Group Clubs ACT Elgas

GoodGuys Canberra Lockheed Martin

THANK YOU FOR FLYING PILATUS. YESTERDAY, TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE. The Australian Defence Force competitively tendered for a new Pilot Training System under “Project Air 5428”, from which the Pilatus PC-21 emerged as the winning aircraft. We are delighted and very proud that after 28 years of Pilatus PC-9 operations the Commonwealth of Australia has signed a contract for 49 PC-21s – the world class training system made by Pilatus. www.pilatus-aircraft.com