YEAR IN REVIEW 2015 Our mission is to achieve the best reintegrated generation of serving and ex-serving men and women in Australia’s history. Since Vietnam, we have not truly applied the difficult lessons learned after our veterans returned home. Following years of limited community support to assist service men and women with their reintegration in to life after their service, Soldier On was the first Australian organisation CONTENTS to stand up and support our contemporary veterans. Thousands How we help 4 will be affected over their lifetime A message from the Chairman 6 by the physical and psychological effects of war and currently no other A word from the CEO 8 organisation provides a one-stop- The Soldier On Network 10 shop support, or allows the Australian public to play a role in supporting The Road to Recovery 12 them and their families. Volunteer Program 22 Soldier On does this because it’s the right thing to do. We will not Director’s Report 2014/15 24 stand idly by as our veterans Those who made it possible 36 find themselves homeless; while families are being torn apart by the Fundraising Highlights 48 difficulties they face every day due Our Fundraising Heros 50 to physically and psychologically wounded loved ones; or while men We want your feedback! Let us know what you think about and women as young as twenty Soldier On, what we do and how we do it! Get in touch via take their own lives, believing it is [email protected]. You can also provide feedback on this their only option. Year in Review by contacting [email protected]. We have worked hard and will continue to work harder to support these inspiring Australians – we’ve got their backs. 2 3 138 162 38 CANDIDATES CANDIDATES EMPLOYERS REGISTERED FOR JOB ALERTS REGISTERED FOR JOB ALERTS ADVERTISED how we help 5 13 ENROLLED ENROLLED Soldier On remains independent, with no funding from IN CERT IV IN DIPLOMAS Government – instead the organisation exists thanks to generous Australian like you. Through community fundraising and corporate sponsorship, Soldier On has become one of the 62 80ENROLLED IN TOTAL fastest growing charities in Australia. ENROLLED IN ABA COURSES Soldier On began as a small charity, working to engage serving men and choice for many of those who need help. the conversation and serving as the first women in physical challenges such as Adventure Races, challenging treks and 200 veterans in three states, with one other physical activities. Very soon, gaps In its first year, Soldier On assisted Centre established in Adelaide. In 2015, in the services offered to wounded men we assisted 500 veterans a month CENTRES AIRFORCE and women became evident and Soldier and established two new Centres in 3 On grew to address them. Canberra and Sydney – with three more set to open in 2016. CONNECT WITH “Soldier On is about action – it’s not We provide this support using four just about what you should be doing, pillars: 500+VETERANS & FAMILY / MONTH it’s what are we going to do together.” » Enhancing the support that already “I didn’t have to pay a membership exists from government and not-for- fee to belong – in order to ask for help, 2015 access services, and share my story.” » Inspiringprofit organisations; veterans, who are - supported veteran traditionally reluctant to seek support, to recognise symptoms and It was from these lessons that our 6,706 2014 Reintegration and Recovery model was DONATIONS ask for help; born and continues to grow. Soldier On » Connecting our veterans and their takes a holistic approach to assisting families to the broader community those who have served, including early + 2013 74,593 HOW WE HELP intervention and taking them all the » Empoweringto ease their reintegration;our wounded and 30COMMUNITY FUNDRAISERS0 VISITORS TO THE WEBSITE way along their road to recovery. We THIS FINANCIAL YEAR their partners through education are the largest national organisation and meaningful employment, supporting men and women affected by THAT’S to ensure they face a secure and their service post 1990, with locations HOW WE HELP rewarding future. in most states and territories – leading 28,494 31 NEW ‘LIKES’ ON FACEBOOK 199% AVERAGE PAGE UP FROM IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR GROWTH IN JUST 12 MONTHS VIEWS AN HOUR 20 LAST YEAR 4 5 A MEssaGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN Peter Leahy, Each and every year I am astonished at the level of support provided to Soldier Chairman, Soldier On On. This year, we have tripled our fundraising efforts compared to this time last year, are in the process of securing long term support from a number of avenues it. It means we are maintaining a relevant and useful approach to providing and as a result helping to secure the future of care for our serving and ex-serving support, but we can’t do it alone. We are constantly looking for new ways to help men, women and their families. Australian businesses and the Australian public to invest in this support. As global combat operations wind down, but not cease, we have seen a supportive Australian public step up to the plate to show how much they “Each and every year I am astonished at the level of support we see for Soldier On.” has not waivered and for that we are enormously grateful. We know that we will appreciate the sacrifices made by those who have served. Support for Soldier On be here to support our wounded for years to come – and we are delighted to have you along for the journey. In 2015, the year of the Centenary of ANZAC, we saw a remarkable number of Australians looking to honour our veterans, both past and present. It was our I am proud to say Soldier On has this year through a variety of great events and aim that the legacy of those who fought at ANZAC Cove was honoured through the support of our modern day service men and women. We can be sure those link between our veterans and the broader Australian community. Our aim as an programs been successful in consolidating an emotional, physical and financial organisation is to achieve the best reintegrated generation of service men and who have served before us would be proud of our efforts to assure rewarding A ME N futures for all those who serve now and who serve in the future. women in Australia’s history. A This is why establishing long term stable support is so vital. We don’t want Thank you to every fundraiser, donor, volunteer, supporter, and staff member for SSA IRM their energy, dedication and passion. In just three years, Soldier On is leading the A Australians to forget those who need support once the Centenary is over, as we GE FROM THE H will have men and women seeking support for many years to come. way the Australian community cares for their veterans and their families. C Having secured three-year sponsorships and partnerships with some of our We are giving hundreds of veterans hope for a better future and saving the lives supporting organisations, we are now able to roll out effective activities beyond of young men and women every day. For that, each and every one of you should be extremely proud. the next financial year. With certainty in funding comes much higher quality in staff and resources – which sees better results for all those we assist. C H GE FROM THE support. It allows us to develop and deliver new programs and confidently invest As always, demand for our services continues to outstrip our ability to provide A Peter Leahy IRM SSA A N ME A 6 7 A WORD FROM THE CEO John Bale CEO, Soldier On In three short and remarkably exciting years, Soldier On is now leading the way in supporting veterans and their families that have been affected by their service. We are in this position because of the This additional corporate support, along with the increased support from the Citadel Group, South incredible support that exists within the community, the generosity of our brilliant volunteers, and Cross Austereo, Military Shop, Minter Ellison Lawyers, KPMG, DPR Accounting, Fujitsu, Club Group, because we have worked so hard to build up the trust of veterans and their families. and Point Project Management, resulted in just over 2 million dollars in pro-bono support last This year we have expanded our reach across Australia and established the foundation for comprehensive support that assists our veterans all the way along their road to recovery. Our message through the goes to directly supporting veterans and their families. It also means we run as a well governed and financial year. This means Soldier On does not meet these costs and more of the money you donate administered organisation without the usual overheads. This support has been truly priceless and has those veterans who have so recently been affected by their service to our nation. As a community working Centenary of ANZAC is that commemoration of past conflicts is vital to our future, but so is the support to through Soldier On, we are building a living monument to those who have given so much. helped us to grow so quickly to respond to such a growing need. We also have some exciting things to take us through the rest of 2015 and beyond. The increasing toll of suicide Unfortunately, we lost two brave young members of the Soldier On family to suicide this year. They left Building a network to help our veterans and their families behind loving families and caring friends, each of whom we are here to support whenever they need it.