SoldierOn.org.au
Also Inside this edition:
/SoldierOnAustralia
Budget update 2016
@SoldierOnAust
Back on your bike
Winter 2016
Sporting partnerships
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Contents Regular Items 5 6 23
Soldier On Update State Updates Book review
Feature Stories 13 14 16 18 20
Budget update 2016 Back on your bike Sporting partnerships Canberra business luncheon Fundraising heroes
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SOLDIER ON  Winter 2016
Soldier On Get in touch Postal address PO Box 5186 Braddon ACT 2612 Ph: 1300 620 380
About Us Soldier On is about Australians coming together to show their support for our physically and psychologically wounded men and women. We want to show our sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen that we will always have their backs. Soldier On supports our veterans through: §§ Direct support services including contact through wounded liaison officers, psychological support, and other services delivered from Centres located throughout the country; §§ Adventurous and inspirational activities such as golf, cycling, running and many more programs promoting an active lifestyle; §§ Building a community of veterans and their families to facilitate peer support and the sharing of stories and experiences between our wounded; §§ Educational and employment opportunities, with courses offered online and face to face support available in a variety of fields with a dedicated online employment portal; and §§ A reintegration and recovery network offering a nationally coordinated approach where anyone can be linked with support services from organisations throughout Australia. In undertaking this work, Soldier On has grown from a volunteer run grassroots support network, to proudly providing support to hundreds of veterans and family members each month. The Reintegration and Recovery network is also expanding rapidly, with facilities opened in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth and staff working to establish centres in Adelaide and Currumbin. 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:
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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 Anzac Day 2016: Spending on centenary is ignoring needs of recent veterans
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e have expended more money and resources commemorating World War I than any other country. But has it been a wise spend? Have we missed an opportunity to engage the Australian community in creating a lasting legacy from the sacrifices of so long ago? Right now, today, a generation of younger veterans from Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor and a range of other conflicts are struggling to find their place in the Anzac tradition. Worse, many veterans are not reintegrating into our community after these conflicts and some cannot shake off the trauma of what they experienced. Most Australians feel that the Anzac centenary is over with after last year’s Gallipoli commemorations. They have paid their respects and they have moved on. An apathy has grown around the continuing centenary of the WWI battles, and contemporary veterans and their families are the losers. Most Australians feel some connection to the legend of Gallipoli and the part it plays in our national narrative. The link to the Western Front campaigns of 1916-1918 is more tenuous. The chief effect of the expensive effort to reconnect us to those traumas of 100 years ago appears to be “commemoration fatigue”. Commemoration must be more than ceremony. Its real value lies in a renewed commitment to enduring values. The best way to refocus the centenary of Anzac is to link it to support for those who have most recently served. Plainly, there is little point in vast expenditure to boost our knowledge of military history if we fail to support those who keep the Anzac tradition alive today: the people who put on uniforms and still go out into danger. It has been Soldier On’s experience that there is a strong, unvoiced community desire to connect with and care for the young veterans of today. That instinct finds no answering voice in the way Anzac centenary commemorations are conducted.
“It is critical,” Malcolm Turnbull said, “that we do not ever forget that we best honour the veterans of 1916 by caring for the veterans of 2016.” But we need to put those words more fully into action. Time is running out. We need to connect our wider Australian community with the young veterans of today, as proof that we are honouring the memory of those who fought in the Great War and subsequent wars. This is how we ensure the true spirit of Anzac lives on. Young veterans today often feel isolated in their wider community. Job opportunities are often limited and restricted to stereotypical roles that emphasis brawn over all else. In many cases, veterans are facing debilitating health effects from their service. Many thousands experience the insidious effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. An estimated 3000 young veterans are homeless. Most distressingly, they are taking their own lives in numbers that should shame us all. All of this while we erect new memorials to World War I and spend millions upgrading those that exist. We must use this centenary phase to generate unstoppable national momentum to look after our younger veterans. If we fail now, we may not get another chance. Worse still, those who have returned will feel more isolated, less cared for and much less honoured for their service. Surely this is the absolutely opposite of what those original Anzacs who fought so bravely would have wanted. John Bale is chief executive and co-founder of the charity Soldier On.
There is an obvious benefit in the two impulses being joined together, for the good of the commemorations as much as for the young veterans we seek to serve. This point was articulated by the Prime Minister when he opened Soldier On’s expanded Canberra centre for veterans and their families in late February.
John Bale, CEO Helping our wounded warriors
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State Updates South Australia Soldier On is currently going through the process of employing a Psychologist in South Australia. The new team member will be based out of its new premises inside the University of Adelaide, thanks to our supporters, CSIRO. For more info you can contact the team at SA@soldieron.org.au
Northern Territory Coffee Catch-ups in Darwin continue to happen on a monthly basis, thanks to one of our dedicated and passionate local volunteers. Activities and support services in the NT will begin to be driven by the Soldier On WA team, who plan on implementing new ways for the community to connect and engage with us. For more info, email WA@soldieron.org.au or head to their Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/SoldierOnWANT
ACT Key activities The Soldier On ACT team have been especially busy of late, with the introduction of a second weekly Coffee Catch-up at the Robert Poate Centre in Crace. A second monthly Coffee Catch-up will be established soon at the Russell Offices Café. Yoga is now offered three times a week - once a week at the Robert Poate Centre and twice a week offsite. The music program also continues to grow with the group currently exploring options to perform for the public. The Boots N’ All Choir continues to meet weekly. The choir have been a wonderful addition to the Soldier On’s local activities. They even marched under the Soldier On banner on ANZAC Day. The golf program, recently extended for another 12 months, is very successful with no shortage of participants each month. The writing course program conducted by Karen Middleton was due to conclude on Friday 15 April, however due to an overwhelming request from our participants, the course will continue to be run each fortnight for an extended period. A proposal has been submitted to CSIRO to establish a Veterans’ Vegetable Garden onsite. Support from local businesses and CSIRO means that this project will be able to go ahead. Art wellbeing classes are commencing shortly. This will be a mixture of traditional art, MILPOP art and sculptures made out of wire and plaster bandages. These seasons are being delivered by a current serving SQNLDR who has a great connection with the Soldier On community. Other future programs proposed for 2016 include; Photography Workshop and a Service Workshop to provide opportunities to create projects from wood and metal. For more info you can contact the team at ACT@soldieron.org.au or head to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SoldierOnACT
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Victoria Soldier On were invited to attend the ANZAC Day season opener last month by Melbourne Ice to watch them take on the Melbourne Mustangs at the O’Brien Group Arena in Docklands, Victoria. Soldier On participant, Ashley Boxall, had the honour of dropping the puck to start the game. Service dog “Ivy” brought a smile to everyone’s faces, especially when she decided to venture off the strip of carpet and onto the ice - it seems that four legs are not necessarily better than two, when it comes to staying upright!! Thank you Melbourne Ice for an action-packed evening, and congratulations on a great win. One of our lucky Soldier On families also got to test out the Saints Club at Etihad Stadium, and gave it the big thumbs up! The Thomas family and their guests were treated to a birds-eye view of the ANZAC Day GWS vs St Kilda match, and had a wonderful time. This is what they had to say about their amazing experience! “Having something like the Saint’s games that brings families together in an enjoyable and safe setting is very important to veterans and our families. Living with issues associated with the military way of life can be very difficult, and this is not just PTSD, Anxiety and Depression, but the simple pleasures of feeling normal, which have been altered through abnormal events and training. Going to a Saints game as a friend of the club has the associated benefits of being in a safe environment within the facilities of the Saint’s Club, and staff that totally respect and understand our circumstances – it’s amazing. The St Kilda Football Club has embraced Soldier On, and the way it supports both serving and former Defence Force personnel with openness and friendship, is wonderful.” The Soldier On team in VIC is reaching out to more and more serving and ex-serving men, women and their families and the supporting community, with the introduction of some new Coffee Catch-up groups. So far, we’re up and running in Frankston (at the Frankston Veterans Centre), Geelong (at the Geelong RSL) and Bairnsdale (at the Bairnsdale RSL). Coffee Catchups are a great way for those who have been affected by their service (physically and/or psychologically) to meet other veterans, and to chat with friends and family members over a cuppa in a safe, informal and supportive environment. Another Coffee Catch-up group will begin shortly in Greensborough, so watch this space for more! For more info you can contact the team at VIC@soldieron.org.au or head to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SoldierOnVIC Helping our wounded warriors
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State Updates
New South Wales The third annual Deep Sea Fishing Trip in February was a highlight for NSW veterans. Forty of our community members had the opportunity to spend the day out at seas catching Marlin on one of the eleven charter boats supplied by our supporters, Calypso Fishing Adventures and Port Stephens Fishing Club. It was a great day out for all and even the Marlin behaved itself by being catchable on the day. We’d also like to thank BCF for the donation of prizes for the day. The NSW family day in March was a beautiful day out for eleven Soldier On families, who went out on Pittwater with the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC). Everyone enjoyed a BBQ lunch at Portuguese Beach, only accessible by water, and had lots of fun swimming, playing games and sailing in the hobbies. In addition to our regular monthly Sailing Days six veterans have also undertaken a six week Learn to Sail program courtesy of the RPAYC. The ANZAC Day Challenge in Sydney was held for the second year, with nearly 400 people taking part running, walking or trekking either 100km,
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65km, 40km or 25km. Despite the cool drizzly conditions everyone had a great day taking on the challenge through the trails of the Northern Sydney bushland. Over 100 people volunteered on the day to man aid stations – providing food, water, first aid and, most importantly, encouragement. It was a real sense of achievement for all that completed the challenge. ANZAC Day also saw a first with Soldier On and Walking Wounded hosting a dawn service on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in conjunction with BridgeClimb. Over 70 people had a very early start to the day and got to take part in this amazing experience, remembering those that we have lost in war on top of Sydney’s most iconic landmark. It also helped to raise awareness of those that continue to need our help and support. For more info you can contact the team at NSW@soldieron.org.au or head to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ SoldierOnNSW Helping our wounded warriors
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State Updates
Queensland The inaugural Gallipoli Run took place in Ipswich on 17 April 2016 which saw more than 200 people run in this first time event. The team from Soldier On attended the event and had a fabulous time meeting everyone, thanks to Executive Excellence Events for making it possible - We look forward to the 2017 event! The 2nd annual Mateship Run for Soldier On took place on 24 April 2016 and saw more than 700 people run, jog and walk in this incredible community event. Soldier On’s very own Matt Jones and Sarah Watson were among the runners with Sarah being the first woman to cross the line. The team had the pleasure of chatting with most of the runners and lots of members of the community who kindly support us on the Gold Coast. It was amazing to see how many participants were wearing their Soldier On gear at the event. Thank you to The Events Agency for supporting Soldier On with this fantastic event. The first surfing activity took place at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre in Casuarina in March, where 20 participants came together to spend the weekend with the Surfing Australia team, learning skills, building friendships, having fun connecting with each other. A second surf weekend was set to follow with eight novice surfers taking part.
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A new range of activities are coming up in the Sunshine state; swim squad, group hydrotherapy, group fitness and functional training are due to begin in the coming months. Thanks to Currumbin RSL for continuing to support the team as we work to establish these activities for the community. Information and education courses including ASIST and Safe Talk are taking place on 28th and 29th of June at Ignite Training College, Currumbin. The Soldier On team will debut at this year’s Noosa Triathlon, having secured 30 places for supporters who want to take part in the event this year and help raise funds for the community. The event has been so popular, general admission has sold out. The Townsville Running Festival and KPMG Rotary Kokoda Classic are also approaching fast, In August the second Annual “Soldier On” race will be held as part of the festival which will see three Brigades compete for the CAPT Paul McKay Trophy. The Kokoda Classic will be held on the 14th of August on the Gold Coast. For more info you can contact the team at QLD@soldieron. org.au or head to their Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/SoldierOnQLD
Western Australia Over the past few months, the Soldier On WA team have been busily setting up the WA Reintegration Centre in Floreat. In that time, it has gone from an empty shell to what promises to be a broadly functional centre capable of delivering, not only a comfortable place for veterans to visit, but also learning areas, activity space and room to grow into additional services. The boys have also been hosting regular walking groups in Rockingham and Joondalup, as well as Hydrotherapy in both locations. If you’re looking to connect with the team over an activity less physically active, you can also find Ron or Ray at a variety of locations through the week where they run Coffee Catch-ups for the serving, ex-serving and their families. Come along and share a yarn and a laugh. Trauma Sensitive Yoga is also back on the menu in Perth. This program has been developed specifically to assist those with physical and psychological injuries. The program has learned from programs around the world delivered to military and civilians who have suffered trauma. Get in touch with the Perth team at WA@soldieron.org.au for more info and come down and find your inner hippy. If you’d like to join the WA team for a quick nine holes, email WA@soldieron.org.au to get yourself booked for a monthly session of golf at Wanneroo Golf Club, which takes place on one Thursday a month. You don’t need to have any experience; (the team are terrible golfers) but the game is nine hole Ambrose with golf carts. If you don’t have a set of clubs, let the team know and they’ll try to assist. There are so many individuals and organisations that have helped the team get the WA Centre up and running - to name them all would fill an entire journal and not do them justice. Instead, if you drop into the WA Centre, you will see the team’s “Wall of Legends” and upon that wall, you will find the names of those who have donated their time, energy, money, knowledge and assets. Without the support of these outstanding folk, we could not provide the support services that our serving and ex-serving community need and deserve. Thank you to all those who have helped. We are so humbled by the generosity of the local community. For more info, you can contact the team at WA@soldieron.org.au or head to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SoldierOnWANT Helping our wounded warriors
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DAVID WYKES
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31 Barwon Terrace, South Geelong, 3220
Ph: (03) 5221 8675 www.agb.edu.au Proud To Support Our Brave Australian Soldiers
NSW TrainLink brings together Intercity and Regional train and coach services with the purpose of connecting people and communities throughout NSW. Services reach as far as Broken Hill in the West, Melbourne in the South and Brisbane in the North. NSW TrainLink’s focus is to provide an integrated service for customers travelling longer distances who need comfortable and reliable trains with on-board facilities.
BUDGET UPDATE
2016
CHANGES TO PROVISION OF NON-LIABILITY HEALTHCARE (MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT)
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n Tuesday 3 May 2016, Treasurer Scott Morrison MP, released the government’s budget for 2016 and beyond. An election has now been called for 2 July and should the Liberal Government remain in power, changes to NonLiability Healthcare through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will take place from 01 July 20161. Non-Liability Healthcare in its current state, provides treatment for certain mental health conditions (such as anxiety, depression and PTSD) and alcohol and substance use disorders, without the need to attribute these conditions to service. Generally, this treatment is only available to those who have served post 1972 and have completed three years of continuous fulltime service. 2
The Turnbull Government has now committed an additional $37.9million over four years from 2016-17 to expand eligibility for treatment under Non-Liability Healthcare.
From 1 July 2016, the requirement to have served a minimum of three years continuous full-time service will be removed for those with permanent ADF service and support will also be provided for those who have served prior to 1972. There are no changes to provision of care for Pulmonary Tuberculosis or Cancer (Malignant Neoplasm). Soldier On are encouraged by these changes and the extension of support through DVA and we hope that this continues to increase in years to come. For further information on current services of Non-Liability Healthcare, including application forms visit http://www.dva.gov.au/health-and-wellbeing/treatmentyour-health-conditions#nlhc
1 Budget papers and media releases from Minister for Veterans’ Affairs indicated that NLHC changes would commence on 01 July 2017. DVA have advised Soldier On that this is incorrect, and extensions outline above will commence from 01 July 2016. 2 For further information on current eligibility, go to http:// factsheets.dva.gov.au/factsheets/documents/HSV109%20 Non-Liability%20Health%20Care.htm
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Back on
bike
your
New pilot program with Cycling Australia has begun Soldier On’s mission is to achieve the best reintegrated generation of serving and ex-serving men and women in Australia’s history. To achieve this, Soldier On supports those who have served by focusing on their physical and mental health, their family, their community, and their future.
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oldier On provides a suite of services and access to partner organisations to meet the needs of our wounded so that they can start their journey on their road to recovery. Soldier On supports anyone who has served Australia and their families. This includes those who have served as part of the Army, Navy, Air Force, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Federal Police, and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, which includes Australian Border Force. As a low-impact sport, cycling offers a wide range of benefits for Soldier On participants. No matter how fit you are, what type of bike you ride, how skilled you are or what your goal is; everyone can get out on a bike. Beside the many (mental) health benefits, there is the invaluable social benefits cycling has (on the bike and the not-to-be-skipped coffee afterwards). It is a great way to catch up with friends, meet new people, enjoy quality time with family and even kids can join in. Over the past few years, Soldier On has offered participants a number of inspirational overseas cycling activities; from a Battlefield Bike Ride in France to pro-am events climbing different stages of the Tour de France and the Giro alongside Cadel
‘Every ride, every coffee, every conversation you were getting the demons out of me! This ride has been a life changer. When I awoke this morning I told my girls that I was home, they said, yer we know dad! I said, no, I’ve physically been back all along but mentally I’ve finally come home after all those deployments!’
Evans and Hamish Blake under the watchful eye of coach Scott Sunderland. All the while, more and more Soldier On participants and Soldier On supporters participate in recreational and competitive cycling events around the country to raise awareness for Soldier On whilst pursuing personal goals. Wanting to enable even more Soldier On participants to have the skill and expertise to participate in these events, Soldier On has partnered with Cycling Australia to pilot a ‘Back on your bike’ program in Canberra and the Gold Coast. It is an eight-week program that aims to improve the participants’ general riding skills, group riding skills and fitness level in a fun and supportive environment. This program can be seen as the foundation for the participants to take cycling to the next level. This could be to continue cycling socially on a regular basis, compete on a local level or even focus on competing on a national or international level. Soldier On is very lucky to count some of Australia’s greatest in the cycling sport is their ongoing supporters for which we are truly grateful. We hope to build many stronger connections with local cycling communities as these relationships are key to successfully reintegrate these men and women.
The feedback Soldier On received from a rider who participated in an overseas event sums it up best: ‘Every ride, every coffee, every conversation you were getting the demons out of me!! This ride has been a life changer. When I awoke this morning I told my girls that I was home, they said, yer we know dad!! I said , no , I’ve physically been back all along but mentally I’ve finally come home after all those deployments!’ Go to https://www.soldieron.org.au to find out more. Helping our wounded warriors
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Sporting
Partnerships
Our AFL partners and the Australian Ice Hockey League go that extra mile to support Soldier On participants.
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n 23 April 2016, St Kilda and GWS Giants took to the field at Etihad Stadium and went head to head for the ANZAC round. This was a momentous occasion as both teams are partners with Soldier On. As the players ran onto the field, they both broke through game day banners showcasing their support to us and the veteran community. Richard Griffiths, Chief Operations Officer for the Giants put it best when he said “on the field we compete, but off the field we collaborate”. It is this collaboration between teams and Soldier On, that continue to provide opportunities for our participants that ultimately supports their reintegration within the community. Our partnerships with St Kilda and the Giants have allowed participants to access free ticketing to games, the opportunity to meet players, go behind the scenes on game day and have their children attend Captain’s Clinics. They give participants an opportunity to engage, with the support of their family, and in many instances to be heard. The power of being able to share one’s story with an elite sportsperson has had a profound effect for many of our participants and has supported them on their road to recovery. For 2016, the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) has increased its support from previous years. Robert Bannerman,
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Commissioner of the AIHL, called on all teams to support Solider On by allocating a number of free tickets to every game and to provide fundraising opportunities where possible. Several matches over the ANZAC Day weekend provided opportunities for Soldier On Participants or Australian Defence Force Personnel to participate in the ‘puck drop’ to start the match, even Service Dog Ivy got some time in the spot light. At a recent match in Victoria, the Melbourne Mustangs showed their support by announcing the attendance of Solider On participants at the match and thanking them for their service. The pride felt by those in attendance will remain with them for years to come and the smiles on their faces show why community engagement is so important for one’s recovery.
For Soldier On, this community engagement and support is a vital element of what we are able to achieve as an organisation and the support we are able give our participants. You may think, ‘how does a free ticket to a game help?’ or, ‘what does talking to an elite sporting team have to do with a veteran’s recovery?’ A free ticket to a game for a participant will generally also mean a ticket for at least one other member of their family (or friend), if not all of the family. This access to free tickets has encouraged participants to get out of the house and into a large crowd for the first time in a long time, because they wanted to do it for their family.
Petty Officer RAN, Ret’d after attending the AIHL ANZAC Day Canberra Brave VS Sydney Bears match in 2015. For Soldier On Participant Robbie Thompson, having the opportunity to meet with the St Kilda team back in 2014, still has a positive effect toward his recovery. Robbie was asked to talk to the team about his service and journey with PTSD. The opportunity to be heard and respected by a group of young, elite sportsman has been a powerful element of his ongoing recovery. The support that we receive from our sporting partners can also go beyond the game. The GWS Giants have previously provided an internship opportunity for one of our Sydney based participants who was interested in sports management as a new career and have offered to continue internships in the future. Internships enable participants to gain valuable work experience in the many different areas of an organisation, assess their current skills and interests and make informed decisions about their ability and desire to pursue their next career. Solider On hope to replicate such support through all of our partners, as this further assists the reintegration of our participants to the greater community.
Community support and backing is imperative for the continued success for our sporting partners, just as it is for Soldier On and the participants and families we support. As we grow as an organisation, we are focused on ‘collaboration off the field’ p Above Lauren Reynolds, had a run on p Above St Kilda and GWS display their support for with all of our partners. Soldier the field before kick off. veterans and their families as they run on the field. On continue to look out how we can develop and grow our A recent opportunity with St Kilda to attend a Captain’s partnerships with sporting teams and associations, at local Clinic was the first time one of our Victorian participants and national levels, so that we can continue to provide even stepped out into a large crowd. He did so, because his son more opportunities to participants nationally. wanted to attend the clinic and run on the field with the For participants who would like to register interest St Kilda team. For others, they saw such an offering as a way to attend sporting events, please contact your state to continue to represent the veteran community and as a Reintegration Centre. thank you for their service, which is very much our sporting If you would like to discuss opportunities of partnering partner’s intent. with Soldier On, please contact the Empower Team at “The Soldier On employee commented that to them they would empower@soldieron.org.au have just been tickets to the ice hockey – but to me they were an acknowledgment that despite my medical discharge, mental illness and physical disabilities I had still served my country well and with pride for eleven and a half years.” – Trish Dollisson, Helping our wounded warriors
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Canberra Business Luncheon A
huge thank you goes to Maloney’s Property, who organised their 3rd annual Canberra business luncheon to fundraise for Soldier On. Guests were treated to wonderful anecdotes from World Cup Winning All Blacks Coach Steve Hansen and Soldier On Service Ambassador Michael Lyddiard. Congratulations to Sue and Peter Maloney (and their wonderful team) as they raised over $35,600 which will go towards the Reintegration Services delivered from our centres and help provide social and psychological support and transition from the ADF. Also a big shout of thanks to our prize donations from the Australian War Memorial, Pomegranate Cookery, Jamala Lodge Experience and Cathedral Lodge Golf Experience.
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Fundraising heroes
Club Kidpreneur Club Kidpreneur is a national program founded by serial entrepreneur Creel Price – who started his first business at 25 and retired at 35 after selling it for $109 million. Canberra innovation start-up edii has partnered with Kidpreneur to roll out short-course holiday programs in the ACT. Groups of students aged between 8 and 12 spend two days researching, developing and producing a prototype before taking it to a “market day” at the Bus Depot Markets for the ultimate in consumer feedback and direct sales. The kids then donate profits from their sales to their preferred charity. The first group to take part in Kidpreneur has come up with ideas ranging from “blorkboard” – a combination of chalkboard and corkboard, to giftware, cards, stress balls and an innovative key and coin holder fashioned from a tennis ball. The team were incredibly humbled when we found out that three of the kids who took part has chosen Soldier On to donate their entrepreneurial earnings to – donating a total of $108.40 from sale of their products. You can find out more about this fun initiative on their website http://www.edii.com.au/ programs/kidpreneur/
Mark Daniels Mark Daniels is 23 years of age, serving in the Royal Australian Navy. In December, 2015 Mark lost his right leg in an accident and through his recovery he decided to take on wheelchair running to help raise funds and awareness for the men and women impacted by the affects by their service, including PTSD. Mark’s determined to put everything he’s got into his recovery and rehabilitation, plus more. Most recently, Mark completed the 12km HBF Run for a Reason. With the support of his mates by his side, Mark has raised just under $2,000 of his $5,000 goal – and he’s still going. Mark, you’re an inspiration to us all! To donate to Mark’s Run for a Reason, head to https://soldieron. giveeasy.org/campaigns/team-mark-run-for-a-reason/
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Fundraising Heroes Petra Galea This month, Petra Galea will be ticking something very important off her bucket list. She’ll be taking part in the Kokoda trek and is dedicating her experience to the support of our future, current and ex-service men and women.
Matt Hart It all began for Matt Hart at 12 years of age after endlessly begging his parents for a motorbike. Within the first year the bike was ready for the bin with a broken frame and bent suspension after trying to keep up with his mates on Motocross bikes. Matt has raced on and off in Motocross, Arena Cross, Cross country and natural terrain events since he was 15. With CPW Matt rode the 2014 Yilgarn Rally and then the 2014 Australasian Safari. Matt Writes, “I headed with the CPW Team to the 2015 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. My aim was to finish the Event and hopefully get a result that would support the goal in the back of my mind, competing in the DAKAR Rally! I got the finish I was after and a top 10 result to top it off”. This has led Matt to the next chapter of his story, preparing for and racing in the World’s Greatest Motorsport race - the 2017 DAKAR Rally. This is not the first time Matt has raised funds and awareness for Soldier On and we’re grateful to have him as part of the team! We’ll be cheering Matt on as he takes on his dream event in 2017. Go to Mark’s ‘All Hart Racing’ website for more info http://www.allhartracing.com/
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SOLDIER ON Winter 2016
Petra writes, “The Kokoda Trek has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. Finally, after many years of research, reflection and contemplation, I have booked and in June 2016 will be on my way to experiencing the true Spirit of Kokoda. Petra’s Grandfather was with the 2/9 Battalion and was deployed to the Milne Bay area in 1942 (after returning from the battle fields of Tobruk). It is here he fought in the Battle of Milne Bay, Cape Endaiadere, Buna and Sanananda. He was awarded the MID (Mention in Dispatches) at the battle for the Buna Air Field and during this battle advanced in rank from Corporal to Lieutenant in the period of 24 hours due to casualties sustained to his Battalion. Petra see herself as one of the lucky ones, who had the luxury of learning from her Grandfather small snippets of his time serving our country. Petra’s goal is to raise $100 for every kilometre spent on the Kokoda Trek, a total of 96km, and to kick this off she has personally donated $10 per km to her “Trek for Troops” campaign. To show Petra your support, go to https://soldieron.giveeasy.org/ campaigns/trek-for-troops/
Book Review Anatomy of a soldier By Harry Parker “This is a brilliant book, direct from the battle zone, where all the paraphernalia of slaughter is deployed to tell its particular and savage story” – Edna O’Brien, novelist. This is a striking debut novel from an ex-British Army soldier. It is a novel that is deeply and personally based in the author’s reality; a story woven by many characters and yet really with only one – Captain Tom Barnes BA5799 leading British troops in a war zone. It is the ‘characters’ that tell the story intimately and intricately; but they are not characters as we think of them traditionally, they are other ‘things’, objects, items – from a back-pack to a bicycle; an intravenous drip; his mother’s handbag; shoes; a radio…and at one stage, most profoundly and heart-breakingly, a mirror. The 45 items tell the story of their role in each situation giving the reader a close up, and allowing the story of the incident that changed Captain Barnes life forever to unfold on a number of sophisticated levels. In telling the story, the novel explains the objects – of the effect of them doing exactly what they are designed to do – whether an improvised explosives device, or a pair of boots, a beer glass, or a letter. “BA5799 pulled me out of the small pouch attached to the front of his body armour where I was kept next to a compass and a notepad. He was kneeling just off a path next to green bushes and reeds and his camouflage merged into the mottled shade…he looked down, deciphered the information on me instinctively and fixed his position. I’m an aerial photograph, taken from a satellite, depicting a network of ditches and walls…” At first I was uncomfortable with this book; it took me a chapter or two to adapt to seeing the story from such an unusual perspective, but it quickly became compelling story-telling and I found it thrilling to see how the next item linked to the others in creating the story. This is an honest and graphic book. It is one that stays with you for days after reading it. Beautiful and brutal, it builds to an inevitable crescendo that is no less dramatic by having seen the story develop in such detail. Heartbreaking, honest and very, very good indeed.
Helping our wounded warriors
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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
Military Shop has handled Soldier On’s merchandise
Major Partners
In Kind Supporters
for no charge since the charity was founded in 2012. Most recently, they also donated a large sum of money as part of their Australia in the Great War campaign.
Principal In-Kind Partners
Citadel Group, and their associated business the Australian Business Academy and Frontier People have supported Soldier On from its founding. First as a sponsor of one of Soldier On’s major events,Liam Haven’s One Foot Forward March, Citadel now provides a number of free places for veterans to gain Diploma and Certificate level qualifications. They also assist with employment support, mentoring and filling vacant positions within the Soldier On team.
CSIRO is supporting
Soldier On through the provision of premises for a number of our Reintegration and Recovery Centres. This has allowed Soldier On to provide expanded services to a much higher number of veterans and their families, saving many thousands of dollars on rent.
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Southern Cross Austereo are Soldier
On’s Regional Media Partner, and assist in spreading awareness throughout their extensive network of radio and television stations. Providing free advertising and sharing the stories of our wounded, we are grateful for their generous support!
SOLDIER ON Winter 2016
Strategic Partner
RPS Group
Legal Partner
Accounting Partner
ACT Fitness Partner
Champions
Associates
Medibank’s Garrison Health Services Jamieson Foley Audi Centre Canberra Hewlett Packard AUS.
Ainslie Group Clubs ACT Elgas
GoodGuys Canberra Lockheed Martin
Diggers Tribute 2016
SAVING LIVES
Too many of our soldiers are taking their own lives. Too many are suffering every day because of the emotional wounds carried home from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. And too many families are suffering because of their PTSD. We need to do more to help our veterans and their families.� John Bale, Soldier On CEO
Soldier On has adopted Australia in the Great War Bears as a symbol of remembrance and a promise of help. Profits from bears purchased
sharing history
through Diggers Tribute will go directly to Soldier On.
Buy your Soldier On Diggers Tribute Bear at www.AustraliaGreatWar.com.au/dt Military Shop’s AGW campaign raised $250,000 for Soldier On in 2015