Blog
TA33 | Jarrahdale, June 2025
Over the period 11-15 June 2025, we ran a pilot Health and Wellbeing program for veterans and partners at the Jarrahdale Veterans Transition Centre (one hour south-east of Perth WA).
Thirteen veterans and partners participated in the core aspects of the program, with a further seven participating in other parts of the program.
This was the first program of its type offered to veterans and partners in WA. It had come about as a result of several years of dialogue between staff at RSL WA, VTC Jarrahdale, VCA and the Special Air Services Regiment. VCA was particularly interested to demonstrate how group therapy can assist WA veterans, especially those on medical discharge, transitioning to a healthy and purposeful life.
This program nurtured the Body, Mind, Soul and Relationships, with practical work resulting in a Health and Wellbeing Plan that worked towards establishing new positive identity, and a life-giving purpose for each participant. In addition to Presentations from VCA staff, therapist Karen Greene facilitated sessions on Yoga, Qi Gong, meditation, breathing, and bodily healing. Veteran Andy Fermo, founder of Invisible Injuries, gave witness to his healing journey following catastrophic physical, mental and moral injury and facilitated meditation, breathwork and cold-water therapeutic immersion.
Participants welcomed new insights into compassion fatigue, moral injury, peer support, mentoring and the chance to deeply engage in “BIG TALK” with others experiencing similar situations.
A huge thanks to the staff at the Veterans Transition Centre. We look forward to working with you again.
For photos and videos from TA33, please visit our Facebook page.
Testimonials
“I’ve discovered that all the shame and guilt I’ve carried for so long, is not my fault – I’m re-inspired to share my learnings”
“I’ve realised the strength and membership I now have with the veteran tribe”
“The mentoring has been comforting, inspiring, nurturing, wise and empowering”
Testimonials
“There is nothing like being surrounded by a group of like-minded veterans to help you realise that there is somewhere you belong after you’ve left the ADF.”
TA 32 | Gold Coast, June 2025
Our June wellbeing program on the Gold Coast saw us welcome participant and mentors back to VCA’s home away from home, the St George’s Defence Apartments, operated by one of our sponsors, SPAHS.
The remarkable group of veterans and their partners came together on the Gold Coast for TA32, a powerful wellbeing program that blended physical challenge, emotional reflection, and community connection. From the very first sunrise walk along Coolangatta Beach, the tone was set for a week of grounding, growth, and shared experience. The days that followed were filled with everything from barefoot beach volleyball and dawn PT to gut health workshops, sauerkraut-making, and silent meditation sessions at Snapper Rocks. These diverse activities weren’t just about health—they were about rediscovery, healing, and honouring the journey each veteran continues to walk.
Throughout the program, participants explored their values, relationships, and the impact of military service on their lives. Powerful peer-led conversations tackled themes like vulnerability, addiction, PTSD, compassion fatigue, and the importance of finding one’s tribe. Visits to places like Rhythm Wellness and the Veterans Organic Farm offered moments of inspiration and reconnection with self and nature, while presentations from Quilts of Valour and RSL Queensland brought warmth and lasting support. The week closed with deep reflection, new friendships, and personalised wellbeing plans in hand. TA32 served as a powerful reminder that healing is not linear, but with community, courage, and care, every step forward is meaningful.s
One of our participants penned this poem after our silent meditation at Snapper Rocks:
𝑨𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉
𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒅𝒔
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒔
𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒊 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉
𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒂𝒘𝒏
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒍
𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
𝑩𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆
𝑾𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆
𝑨 𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆
𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
For photos and videos from TA32, please visit our Facebook page.
Testimonials
“I feel closer to Timor-Leste and think my tours and service to the country were worth it”
“Knowing that I am not alone and its ok not to be ok. Seeing that Timor has progressed and has a real future.”
“Thank you for this opportunity. I was able to let go of some feelings I had and better my self worth.”
TA 31 | Timor-Leste, April—May 2025
Timor Awakening 31 (TA31) commenced with mentors and participants meeting in Darwin on Tuesday 22 April 2025. The concentration in Darwin included one on one sessions with peer mentors, a meet-and-greet dinner and a detailed briefing session prior to arrival in Timor, where we were greeted with tais from our Timorese hosts.
The group expanded on a daily basis with Timorese veterans, local communities, international volunteers, service personnel and more.
The 34 participants and mentors embarked on a cultural immersion and wellbeing program that created a unique bond of human connection through extensive peer support activities and experiences. The program followed a routine reminding participants of the importance and effectiveness of a good routine, including morning exercise, and intentionally beginning and closing each day.
For many, it marked a meaningful return to a country deeply connected to their military experience.
The journey blended cultural immersion, historical insight, and community contribution. Highlights included a battlefield tour, a moving ANZAC Day dawn service in Dili, and the chance to support a vital water and sanitation project at the VETS Friendship School in Same. Veterans worked side by side with students and locals, forging genuine bonds while giving back to the next generation. Along the way, they explored village life, attended Mass, and tackled big conversations around relationships, compassion fatigue, and healing.
The program also offered moments of personal challenge and triumph. A sunrise summit of Mt Ramelau—the highest peak in Timor-Leste—was a deeply spiritual experience for many, crowned by a ceremony led at the top. Returning to Dili, the group reflected on their journeys and were honoured with a private meeting at the Presidential Palace with President José Ramos-Horta.
TA31 offered not just a reconnection with Timor-Leste, but a renewed sense of purpose, healing, and shared strength. The results were profound and life changing.
For photos and videos from TA31, please visit our Facebook page.
TA30 | Gold Coast, February 2025
On a beautiful late summer’s day in February, we welcomed participants and mentors to our February TA program on Coolangatta’s stunning Rainbow Bay Beach. We had 14 veterans having separated from the ADF and one retired AFP member. Two currently serving ADF members attended the program, along with four support people, all sharing lived experiences of trauma and complex health conditions.
TA30 began with a powerful and transformative start as veterans and their partners participated in early morning physical training at Point Danger and heartfelt “Big Talk” sessions, where the group quickly fostered a strong sense of trust and vulnerability. Participants were deeply moved by a special presentation from Quilts of Valour Australia, explored holistic health strategies, and began crafting personalised wellbeing plans. Hands-on activities such as sauerkraut-making, and engaging discussions on gut health, growth mindset, and living “above the line”, offered both reflection and practical tools for change.
The following days deepened the journey with energising movement sessions and thought-provoking discussions on relationships, love languages, and moral injury, including a powerful talk from John White DSC on PTSD. Sessions on compassion fatigue and suicide intervention emphasised the importance of self-care and supporting one another. Visits to Rhythm Wellness and the Veterans Organic Garden provided grounding and inspiration, while restorative breathwork helped participants reflect and recharge. TA30 served as a reminder of the strength found in community, the healing power of shared stories, and the importance of nurturing both mind and body.
The program wrapped with the fantastic team from the Veteran Health Association, who put the group through their paces in a fun and uplifting morning session—a great reminder that physical activity can be both enjoyable and invigorating. Jennifer Jefferies, provided practical tips for resetting the body and mind. And for the final test of physical and mental fortitude, the group took to the waves with Dave from Coolangatta Surf School. More than just a surf lesson, the afternoon was a celebration of play, laughter, and the importance of bringing joy into our daily routines.
The program was rated as highly successful by participants, who were glad to have found a new tribe to thrive in.
For photos and videos from TA30, please visit our Facebook page.
Testimonials
“This program has been a kick start for me returning to life. Being present for my wife and kids. Providing me the opportunity to support others and learn to be grateful and gracious.”
“For me, this program has been life-changing. It has provided me with critical education to benefit my family.”
