4 minute read
Open Door Adventures on another journey with Australian Veterans
Innovation often sprouts from personal interests, hobbies, or as responses to the challenges individuals encounter in their own lives. This principle applies equally when it comes to supporting our local communities.
Allow me to introduce Barry Riddiford, a Wiradjuri Elder residing in Townsville. Barry’s work as Director, Open Door Adventures, is aimed at supporting struggling veterans in their transition back to civilian life.
I find his story is truly inspiring and would like to share with you his holistic approach to addressing the well-being of Veterans and their families, encompassing physical, psychological, and social aspects, and a deep commitment to their welfare.
As an advocacy organisation we often work with older veterans and veterans with disability to help uphold their rights, and we were lucky enough to have Barry work with us as an advocate at ADA Australia for a time.
The genesis of Barry’s current work can be traced back to a childhood dream and a twist of fate. As Barry recollects, he aspired to join the Army after completing boarding school. This was during the conclusion of the Vietnam War, and many veterans were returning home. However, Barry’s mother had different plans. Unbeknownst to Barry, he had been accepted into Portsea Officer Training School, a fact he only learned much later in life when his mother confessed to having burned his acceptance letter (presumably, the statute of limitations has long since passed). This redirection set Barry on a new path, leading him to become an educator, a leader, and a communicator within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities.
Barry’s personal journey and the redirection of his aspirations from a military career to education and community leadership is a testament to the impact of serendipity and life experiences on our paths. His fascination with the Australian
Defence Force (ADF) and the defence community never waned, and it eventually led him to conduct a program that addresses critical mental health issues within the veteran community.
I had the opportunity to converse with Barry over the phone about his program while he was stranded on the side of the road enroute to Lightning Ridge, waiting for a caravan part. To Barry, such situations are simply part and parcel of his journey.
Mental well-being and issues like self-harm and suicide are indeed pressing concerns among veterans. Barry’s program leverages the transformative power of nature and cultural exploration. By taking groups of veterans into various wilderness locations across Australia, his program allows them to re-evaluate their narratives and self-perception. This approach not only provides an opportunity for veterans to connect with nature but also to reconnect with their own identity and the shared history of Australia. The incorporation of cultural and historical exploration, community service, and challenges into these journeys creates a comprehensive and supportive environment for the participants.
On the latest trip, Barry tells me the focus on truth-telling. They are exploring Aboriginal Massacre Sites, understanding the Brewarrina Fish Traps, and visiting an Aboriginal Mission which all contributes to a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical contexts of the land. This kind of experiential learning can be instrumental in helping veterans reconnect with their own experiences and foster a sense of community and support.
Barry’s dedication to making these experiences available to veterans and his work as an advocate for older veterans and those with disabilities is a vital contribution to supporting these individuals. It is heartening to see individuals like Barry, whose personal interests and life experiences have led to innovative solutions for the challenges faced by Veterans in their transition back to civilian life.
Into the future, Barry will continue doing what he can through his unfunded bush program. Currently he is planning a trip to a remote location to live with and learn from Aboriginal Elders; a canoe trip down one of the big rivers in western Queensland, and a tagalong tour across the Simpson Desert.
If you would like to learn more about Barry’s veterans bush programs, offer support, or join in on a program, you can contact Barry through ADA Australia at info@adaaustralia.com.au
Article by Geoff Rowe
Geoff Rowe is the CEO for Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia. ADA Australia has a dedicated team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advocates available to support older First Nations people with aged care issues or First Nations people with disability. ADA Australia is also host to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Disability Network of Queensland.
