Sunshine Coast veteran Nathan Tolman and his colleagues from Veteran Mentors have become the first team to register for Australia’s first Veteran Games to be held on the Gold Coast in September.
Mr Tolman, 41, a former Infantry Warrant Officer who left the ADF last year after 22 years’ service which included two tours to Afghanistan and two to Iraq – who is also the founder of the Sunshine Coast chapter of the Association of Veteran Surfers – said it was a “no brainer” that Veteran Mentors would be involved in the Games.
“And that’s because when soldiers transition out of the ADF, they struggle with connection – to other veterans, and veteran and civilian organisations,” he said.
“So, what the Games are going to do is bring a lot of different organisations together and put a face to those organisations, and that’s important because people in general are reluctant to connect if they don’t know somebody, or something about that organisation.
“They are hesitant to take that first step, and by providing a friendly face, which is what the Games will be doing, we will get a better outcome for Veterans because it will increase the likelihood of them stepping through that door.”
The Veteran Mentors will be among about 300 teams to compete in the inaugural “Veteran Games”, officially launched on Saturday 22 April at the Gold Coast’s Currumbin RSL.
Organisers are planning for up to 2500 competitors – who will be required to pass a basic fitness test provided during the registration process – to participate in eight-member teams at the event, which will be held over three-days at yet-to-be announced venues from September 29.
The Games will be open to former and current serving defence force personnel from across the nation, who’ll take part in military-themed activities including an obstacle course challenge, tug-of- war competition and other events that will test the teamwork and problem-solving expertise drawn directly from military training and combat scenarios.
Organising the “Veteran Games” has been a long-time “mission” for former elite special forces officer and fifth-generation Veteran Heston Russell, a passionate advocate for Veteran support who knows all too well the mental health struggles experienced by many who have served in the ADF.
Mr Russell, who served in East Timor, Afghanistan, and Iraq, believes the “Veteran Games” will help fill a potentially deadly “void” by bringing about cultural change for veterans.
“In the past few years alone, I’ve lost more mates to suicide than during my four deployments to Afghanistan,” Mr Russell said. “For many others, finding or accepting support has been an incredible challenge, creating a mental health crisis that has been worsened by our often splintered and isolated veteran community.
“South-East Queensland has been selected to stage the first “Veteran Games” because statistics show this to be the region with the highest concentration of ‘at risk’ Veterans, particularly those under the age of 40 years old,” Mr Russell said.
Mr Russell said the ongoing legacy was designed to provide year-round training and a “connection focus”, particularly during the periods following ANZAC Day, and prior to Remembrance Day.
“Already, there have been expressions of interest from more than 100 volunteers, and dozens of Veterans groups and organisations keen to enter teams or support in any other way they can,” Mr Russell said.
He said organisers, through the registered charity Veteran Support Force were looking to achieve outcomes at “minimum or no cost to the Veteran competitors in years to come”. Saturday’s launch commenced a public crowdfunding campaign via VeteranGames.com and the invitation for sponsors to join and support the launch of this inaugural event.
Mr Tolman, who was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) in 2020, started working with Veteran Mentors in April, 2022.
“Veteran Mentors is a group of ex-servicemen and women who share a common goal in helping the families and communities of Australia,” he said.
With their military background and armed with the lessons derived from operational deployments, the Veteran Mentors have developed a nine-day youth military program for high school students aged between 12-17 years. The program is designed to enhance the lives of all participants by providing them with the tools they need to achieve success in life, and a positive role model.
“I’m so grateful that someone reached out to me to become part of this organisation, I remember I got so excited the first time I met with them and I’m still excited,” he said.
“I, for one, know how Veterans have each other’s back. The Army works in small teams, they keep a close eye on each other and help you get though (difficult circumstances), and that’s the same when you transition out. And that’s why the Veteran Games is such a welcome initiative.”
Mr Tolman said the Sunshine Coast chapter of the Association of Veteran Surfers, a not-for-profit organisation improving the health and well-being of the defence veteran community and their families through surfing, ocean therapy and mateship, would also be providing volunteers to assist during the three-day Veteran Games.
