Homebase for the Veteran Community in Townsville

Gerry Garard a National Service 2nd Lieutenant, Vietnam Veteran, who spent most of his working life in corporate management, and his dual Olympic Gold Medallist and Taxation Consultant wife Renita, decided that they wished to do voluntary work in the demographic of mental health sufferers (particularly PTSD) who were suffering and struggling as a result of their service to our great Nation.

Advocates Online emerged from challenges faced by individuals in navigating the labyrinth of overlapping and complex legislation and equally complex claims processes. Our Board of Directors come from various sections of the veteran community and have worked within the veteran sector for a long time as change leaders. Commencing in early 2020, we dedicated ourselves to building a network of highly qualified, medically trained and supervised claims advocates, para-legal consultants and highly specialised administrators. They are complemented by a growing community of veteran friendly and informed medical practitioners and legal and financial specialists who we can refer to and rely on.

Our Agri Veterans Program helps veterans find stable, rewarding roles that match their existing skills and abilities. Many of the skills our veterans have learned during their service are an ideal fit for agriculture roles. Meanwhile, veterans who are easing back into civilian life find the wide-open plains and community spirit of regional Australia a soothing change of pace.

The Alliance represents a significant number (over three million) members of Australia's Defence Family on national advocacy and representative matters to the Australian Federal Parliament and political parties. The Alliance objective is to provide a stronger voice on issues impacting the conditions and wellbeing of currently serving and former members of the Australian Defence Force and their families to the Australian Government, Parliament and all Australians.

The Australian Families of the Military Research and Support Foundation (AFOM) is a Foundation set up by past and current serving Australian Military Personnel and their families. Its mission is to advance the health and wellbeing of partners and families of past and current serving Australian Military Personnel. It aims to become the foremost organisation in Australia that: promotes, coordinates and funds research not encumbered by political and/or Departmental outcomes; and provides support for and advocates for the needs of partners and families of past and current Australian Military personnel.

The Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans’ Association’s (APPVA) purpose is to support the transition, health and wellbeing of all veterans and their families so that they feel valued and can attain stability in life after service. We consider the AFP, DFAT, state police, first responders and any Australian who has deployed on peacekeeping and peacemaking operations, as veterans. In addition, we assist the broader veteran support community, such as allied health professionals that care for veterans and their families, so that their issues with DVA such as ensuring DVA pay invoices are resolved quickly.
We maintain the national list of veteran and veteran family issues and invite all veteran community organisations to attend our monthly meetings of the Australian Veteran Community so we can define our issues and raise them with DVA in a manner that sees them resolved rapidly.

As non-traditional students, ex Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have a lot to add to classroom discussions and can offer unique perspectives. Yet, these differences can also be quite challenging. ASVA would like to help student veterans overcome these challenges by establishing ASVA chapters at universities throughout Australia to provide a peer network for veterans on campus. Interacting with other like-minded students on a daily basis will help student veterans regain that sense of camaraderie they had in the ADF. These built-in networks will greatly assist student veterans during the soldier to student transitioning process and will help mentor/motivate student veterans throughout their degrees.

Independent news and opinion on issues that impact the Australian veteran community.

The Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust is a national independent charity helping the children and grandchildren of Australian veterans to a better future through education. Each year we provide up to 80 scholarships for students commencing, or already commenced, their studies at an Australian University, TAFE or registered training organisation. Our scholarships are generously funded by the Australian government, ex-service organisations and private donors.

Bravery Trust provides financial support to veterans, current and former members of the Australian Defence Force, and their families, who have suffered injury or illness as a result of their service and are experiencing financial hardship.

Buddy Up Australia offers a way for people who have served their country, either domestically or overseas, to connect with like-minded people and feel that sense of purpose again. That’s through physical fitness and volunteering for worthwhile projects.
Founded in Perth, our goal is to run chapters Australia-wide which meet the needs of serving and ex-serving personnel just like us (police, fire, ambulance and military). Let’s keep our buddies in the well zone.

Provides financial help, education support and housing assistance.

Defence Families of Australia (DFA) is the official body appointed by the government to represent the views of Defence Families. Its aim is to inform government and Defence on the needs of the family. Its goal is to ensure quality of life for all Defence families by providing a recognised forum for their views and by reporting, making recommendations and influencing policy that directly affects families. In turn, this enhances the capability of the Australian Defence Force. DFA consults with Defence’s own support agencies, like the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) and the National Welfare Coordination Centre (NWCC), but acts only as an advocate, not as a support provider.

We exist simply to foster the best interests and welfare of all members of the Australian Defence Force and their families in any matter likely to affect them during or after their period of service.

The DIGGERS Military Motorcycle Club is not a 1% club, but an organisation for Regular, Reserve and Ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force - Army, Navy, Air Force as well as members of all Commonwealth Forces. Members who engage in regular meets and who encompass the spirit of riding motorcycles whilst having the comradeship that develops from military service and the MC Brotherhood Bond.

As part of the Veteran community, we understand what it is like to have left the armed services and then be faced with a legal issue. Getting legal help can be too hard, or too expensive. It can leave you feeling overwhelmed or helpless. Duty First Legal Service is here to make you feel helped, not helpless. We are a not-for-profit legal service which means that our fees are significantly lower than the industry standard. We care about you and your family and the outcome of your legal issue. We are an independent, not for profit legal service, which is only for those who have served in the Australian armed services including the Army, Navy or Airforce or those who are left behind after the veteran has passed away. Whether you are looking for one-off legal advice or need us to guide you through a difficult legal issue, we are here to help.

We are a group of people who are either Veterans, First Responders or have lived experience with mental and physical health. Our aim is to help those in need whilst transitioning to civilian life as well as adapting after working in high demanding jobs. We work to support mental health using funding or helping people apply to the NDIS. We are here for the long haul, to refer people to businesses that can help and if they want to, find a new purpose in life whether through work or a hobby. We make people feel they belong and help them through their transition.

We deliver our services to young people impacted by family mental illness with the aim of empowering them to build resilience, lifelong knowledge and abilities so they can reach their potential.

Legacy is a voluntary organisation providing services to families of veterans who have died or given their health. Legacy's caring and compassionate service assists over 70,000 widows and 1,900 children and dependants with a disability. Legacy is a voluntary organisation supported by veterans, servicemen and women, and volunteers drawn from all walks of life. Support and services also extend to the dependants of members of the Australian Defence Force who lose their lives or their health as a result of their military service.

Mates4Mates supports current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members (and their families) who are wounded, injured or ill as a result of their service. They offer national and regional support services across 5 key areas: Physical Rehabilitation & Wellbeing Services; Psychological Services; Employment & Education Support Services; Rehabilitation Adventure Challenges; and Social Connection Activities. They do this at Family Recovery Centres in Brisbane, Townsville and Hobart.

The Nexus concept is an exciting new approach to transition to engage with the new generation of Veterans. It is a combination of traditional hobbies or sports day activities. There will also be education on psycho-social concepts and opportunities to connect that can make such a difference to veterans. It’s not about the hard graft of making something of your life: its about activities, mate-ship and having fun. An element of the program is the opportunity to make an economic difference to Veterans and their families. Nexus will achieve this through business development programs aimed at budding entrepreneurs. A think tank, incubator and mentor program for budding entrepreneurs. This has the potential to truly change lives.

To raise funds and awareness whilst assisting those supporting our troops. The carers and families of those veterans injured or suffering mental health condition. Believing that the families of veterans needed to be cared for (veterans are catered for through the many ex service organisations, associations and groups ). The idea of the group is to raise funds through various means to enable them to put deployment and PTSD resource books into schools and libraries around the country, assist carers with respite, deliver the Mental Health First Aid course to partners for free or very reduced rate, and conduct children's camps and respite outings all over Australia.

OVERWATCH AUSTRALIA is a not for profit organisation tasked with reaching out and assisting former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members. OVERWATCH AUSTRALIA is a peer to peer, boots on the ground, first response organisation formed to assist former ADF members who are at risk or in crisis. Once engaged, OVERWATCH AUSTRALIA will then act as a bridge to other Ex Services Organisations (ESOs) better equipped to help with the needs of these personnel.

PTSD Dog’s Australia is a Not For Profit Charity solely dedicated to the rescuing, re-homing and training of suitable displaced and unwanted dogs to support and assist Australia’s First Responders (Fire, Police Ambulance) and the Australian Defence Force (A.D.F) Air Force, Army and Navy suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) both current and retired. PTSD Dog’s Australia also provides personalised / group training and Assistance Dog Certification for people who already own a dog considered appropriate as a PTSD Certified Assistance Dog.

Our goal is to provide awareness, support and a message of hope aimed at helping veterans and their families and anyone suffering from mental illness.

Pandanus Park War Veterans Retreat is situated on the northern bank of the Normanby River near Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, Cape York, Queensland. It is a place of healing and a place of mateship for all Veterans of the Australian Defence Forces. Relax in a bush camping retreat along the banks of the Normanby River, enjoy the great Australian bush in it's own natural splendor. Only open to Veterans of the Australian defence forces and their immediate families, it offers a unique enviroment for healing, relaxation and mateship.

P.V.A. believes that there is a great need for support for all partners/carers, widows/widowers and families of Australian veterans, both now and in the future, as our defence forces continue to be deployed to areas of conflict throughout the world. Our aim is not only to support the partners of our generation, but also to consider the needs of all future generations and to have in place a support network that was not available when many of our veterans returned from their war service.

To provide an organisation dedicated to members and their families with a common interest in motorcycles. To have members throughout the States and Territories, to provide a social camaraderie for current serving and ex-serving members of the Defence Force. To generate interest between members of the club in providing support, both physical and financial, to charitable organisations.

RSL DefenceCare is a charity and not-for-profit organisation helping current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force and their families in times of injury, illness or crisis. Our services are free of charge and include assistance with Department of Veterans' Affairs claims, advocacy at the Veterans' Review Board, counselling, support during a crisis or the death of a loved one, and financial assistance.

SMEAC Inc. believes that it is paramount for the discharged veteran, to as quickly as possible be linked with other veterans, IN A REAL SENSE, not just by brochures and contact lists but physically and socially. They need to be reconnected to their mates, be reintegrated back into society, and ultimately be retrained for purposeful and meaningful employment. This in turn will help the discharging veteran transition and form new support networks which will replicate and, in some cases, eventually replace their previous military ones.

Secret Facebook Group. This group is a group that supports the partners of people with PTSD or other mental health issues related to the ADF, QPS, QAS or QFES. We are all about supporting each other when times are good but more importantly when times are tough. We have made this group secret so that it is a safe zone with no judgement and no backlash.

We provide assistance dogs to children with special needs. Trained in task-specific skills, Smart Pups improve children’s independence and quality of life. This unique form of early intervention therapy has a profound effect on the day-to-day lives of children and families… making a positive change that keeps growing. For life.

Soldier On supports those who have served by focusing on their physical and mental health, their community and their future. Soldier On has Reintegration and Recovery Centres throughout Australia as part of its Reintegration and Recovery Network.

To make every person in Australia aware of PTS. To dispel misconceptions about PTS and break down stigma. To help increase professional support channels. To lobby governments to properly recognise PTS and to supply adequate funds for meaningful research.

As our program was created by a veteran for veteran’s through lived experience, we thrive on assisting our members becoming independent in overcoming psychological and emotional stress, living happy and healthy lives, and creating a successful mind-set for transitioning back to civilian life.

Provides welfare and support for the wounded, injured and ill and their families; Honours the memory of those who have served through commemorative events; Preserves the spirit of mateship within the ADF community; and Promotes the interests of veterans and ADF members to Government and the wider community.

Many ex-service personnel may not have PTSD but suffer significant difficulty in readjusting to civilian life. Grief (loss of brotherhood), isolation, poor coping skills, relationship issues and many other difficulties are rife amongst the men and women who have sacrificed to protect this nation. Warriors Return fills the gaps for these desperately needed services! and is run BY Veterans and Veterans’ families, FOR Veterans and Veterans’ families. We are a “bottom up” organisation, based on, and responsive to, the ACTUAL requirements of Veterans.

To inspire and nourish the relationship between our Returned Service Veterans & those that have served the nation and their Children, and to facilitate them being able to connect with their “Inner Hero”, so as to empower their lives and uplift their families, their friends, and their future.

Taking aim at a “health crisis” amongst young Australian veterans, who suffer from a frightening suicide rate. A program of Veterans Care Association Inc.

Since the Federation has been incorporated it has been dedicated to a single purpose in building better lives for Australia’s disabled Veterans and their Families. Our faith in that mission has required the Federation to respond in a creative and flexible way to the changing and sometimes unpredictable problems and difficulties faced by disabled Veterans.

Trojan’s trek is a circuit breaker program in nature. Participants figuratively undertake a journey, which facilitates new ways of viewing themselves, their colleagues and partners in a remote location while investigating ways to facilitate change. Some of the past trekkers have denoted this as a ‘stocktake of life, feelings and behaviour.’ Some of the Treks are now being conducted in NQ.

Veteran Mentors’ youth military programs are designed to assist children, aged 12-17, to become accountable for both their behaviour and decisions. These programs are ideal for children addicted to technology or who are demonstrating poor behaviours, low self-esteem and lack of respect. They’re also ideal for propelling youth to reach their fullest potential.

Veteran Sport Australia (VSA) has been established to support all veterans and their families to improve their health and general wellbeing through sport and recreation. VSA aims to provide a central hub, helping to connect people with the right opportunity for them.

Support and information for Veterans and our families during the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Veteran’s Retreat is a registered charity care farm run by 20 year Army veteran Kylie and her young family. The retreat is open to all serving members, veterans, first responders and their families/carers. We offer day visits, overnight accommodation, animal therapy and more.

Our mission is to connect veterans with the benefits they deserve. We are an information hub promoting physical, mental and optimal wellbeing to improve the lives of Australian veterans in any way we can. We understand that it can be difficult to find out what support is available to and for Veterans and their families. Veteran Benefits Australia (VBA) empowers veterans with community and support. VBA is an independent organisation run by those who honour, care and stand with our military and our Veterans.

We bring together the best traditional and holistic health practitioners to support your journey to health and wellbeing. See also one of the main programs Timor Awakening.

We are an independent Ex-Service Organisation with a respected and trusted brand. VCA has a proven capability to provide multi-dimensional support to veterans and their families. VCA is highly visible and active, with on-site partnerships with the ADF at multiple Military sites. We can provide remote multi-site servicing pan Australia via our leading-edge workflow engine. VCA has developed a unique best practice volunteer training & development module focussing on veteran-specific mental health first aid and suicide prevention strategies.

The VCBC will provide a voice for the veteran entrepreneur and small business owner to the Australian community, Government, and Industry. The Chamber will focus on developing existing veteran-owned businesses and support those who go into self-employment. This association is non-for-profit and will be built by veterans for veterans.

A proposal has been made to build a world-class museum in Toowoomba. It will be run by Queensland Museums as a centre for training and employing veterans. The facility will also provide significant economic benefits, boost employment and provide a valuable and popular day-trip destination to South-East Queensland. Most importantly, it will allow our veterans to train and work at a real-world facility providing a genuine service to other Australians.

To assist members (members of the ADF who served in South Vietnam) of State or Territory Associations of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia and their dependants where a member or a child of a member has or appears to have any disability which is or in any way may be connected with special service rendered by a member in the Naval, Military, Air Force or as an accredited member of a civilian organisation accorded special service status by the Government of Australia.

VVF represents former, as well as, current members of the ADF, and their families. They represent veterans of all conflicts from World War II to Afghanistan, including Peacekeeping and Peacemaking Missions. They have many years experience helping with claims in all of the Military Compensation schemes, with fully trained 'TIP' qualified Pensions officers. Services are totally FREE.

Assist all ex-Service personnel from all conflicts with free welfare, pension and advocacy services.

Walking Off The War Within is held in memory of Nathan Shanahan, a returned solider and firefighter, and other fallen Service Men and Women who have taken their own lives after battling mental health issues. The Walk is for Emergency Service Personnel, Defence Force Personnel and members of the public to come together to share the burden and march as one.
Walking Off The War Within has transformed from one man’s movement to a series of events, where people of all ages and fitness levels get together and walk and talk about ending the stigma that is often associated with mental health. We hope that each year, the walk continues to grow so that more people are encouraged to have a conversation about mental health, depression and suicide.

For ex-SASR wounded, injured and ill veterans and their families. We know that for some veterans, the battle continues, while others will seek a new direction and fresh challenges. We are here to assist with the journey through mentoring, education and employment opportunities, as well as direct donations to select veteran causes.

The aim is to protect the interests of War Widows and provide friendship and comfort to those in similar circumstances, particularly in their time of loss and to represent and advocate for our members to promote and protect their rights.

Provides training and puppies for service dog training to veterans, first responders and correctional officers who suffer from PTSD and related injuries.

WithYouWithMe is a veteran-owned tech start up that attempts to solve the problem of transitioning personnel from the ADF to the Australian private sector.

WVNA is about connecting past and present Women of Defence with resources, support & information to live an empowered & fulfilling life. Women have unique transitional challenges because of their role in the military and society. They experience deployment and reintegration different than men.

Wounded Heroes Association is a national community organisation established to support Australian servicemen and women and their families, and to ease the financial, emotional and personal hardships of contemporary military life.

Young Diggers provides a variety of support services and programs to help serving and ex-serving personnel of the Australian Defence Force, their dependents and direct family members.