Anzac Day 2023: Young Gold Coast veterans band together to form motorcycle club
A dozen Gold Coast veterans have traded khaki for motorcycle jackets in the search for fellowship and understanding after leaving the military. This is their incredible story
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A dozen Gold Coast veterans have traded khaki for motorcycle jackets in the search for fellowship and understanding after leaving the military.
Under the age of 50 and having come home after years of service in the Middle East and Timor, a group of Coast veterans found they needed more than what the RSL could offer and instead founded their own motorcycle club two years ago.
The Gold Coast chapter of the Veterans Motorcycle has proved a lifesaver for its members, including 39-year-old Tweed resident Daniel Prentice.
Mr Prentice spent 12 years in the army and travelled the world. But he found returning home to be the most difficult battle of all.
“I started to get my head right after coming back from overseas and retiring from the defence force,” he said.
“I got myself a bike and started riding around and my wife suggested I join a veterans group. “We just ride around and try to catch veterans who have been left out in the dark and don’t have any belonging anywhere these days.
“It’s a good group of guys who we call, we talk to each other and chat all the time.”
Mr Prentice enlisted in the Australian Defence Force on October 9, 2001 – just two days after the invasion of Afghanistan and following in the footsteps of his grandfather and brothers. His long career took him from peacekeeping operations in East Timor to Fiji during the 2006 coup and the War on Terror operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
He medically retired from the army in 2014 after more than 12 years of service.
“I have fond memories of my time in the military and got to travel Australia and the world which I loved,” he said.
“But getting towards the end there were injuries and I just couldn’t keep up anymore.”
Mr Prentice said many younger veterans struggled to find their place after leaving military service.
“I’m under 40 and younger veterans like myself, don’t feel comfortable in the RSL scene,” he said.
“Different clubs have different backgrounds and are really welcoming – like Currumbin RSL, they are welcoming and very helpful and their veterans support centre which is great
“But there is a big generation gap between us and the Vietnam guys.
“The same thing happened to the Vietnam veterans and those of World War II but I’m really glad the RSLs are working to change that because without the younger ones coming through, things die off.”
The veterans motorcycle club will mark Anzac Day on Tuesday morning at the Currumbin Dawn Service at Elephant Rock.
Mr Prentice said April 25 was a time to reflect on those who were lost and the mental health struggles of veterans.
“I remember the people who I personally have lost like friends and family but I think of those guys and I don’t want to lose anyone else,” he said.
“I get really sad about the number of veterans who have problems, who don’t ask for help or those who don’t get the help that they need.
“They end up taking their lives because the struggle is too much.
“Australia lost 40 people in the Middle East (during the War on Terror) but the number of veterans who have taken their lives after coming back is far higher than that.”
Veteran mental health has increasingly become a major issue on the Gold Coast in recent years as former ADF members raise awareness of it.
Popular real estate agent and army veteran Shaun Spain died in January at the age of 51 after years advocating about the challenges faced by veterans.
SUPPORT SERVICES
● Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14.
● The Defence all-hours support line for ADF members and their families: 1800 628 036.
● Open Arms all-hour free and confidential counselling and support for current and former ADF members and their families: 1800 011 046, or through SafeZone on 1800 142 072.
Mates4Mates: Visit mates4mates.org or call 1300 4 MATES
More Coverage
Originally published as Anzac Day 2023: Young Gold Coast veterans band together to form motorcycle club
The one thing we all get wrong about ‘annoying’ cyclists
Cyclists have always divided opinion when it comes to Aussie roads – but should we cut them some slack?
Wahlberg leaves fans starstruck in split second encounter
Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg has left two Gold Coast disability workers in disbelief. Read why.