CommBank’s Australian of the Day initiative: soldiering on for mates
LIKE every veteran, Corporal Brian Heilbronn understands the bonds forged among diggers who — in a world without war — might otherwise be strangers.
LIKE every veteran, Corporal Brian Heilbronn understands the bonds forged among diggers who — in a world without war — might otherwise be strangers. “You’re put together and you form that bond because you have to,” says Brian, who is based in Townsville. “It’s an interesting dynamic.” On deployment in Afghanistan in 2010, that brotherhood proved vital. “Basically you’re living with your best mates 24/7,” says. “You see the best and the worst of what the world’s got to offer and those guys are always there to pick you back up.”
Today the 32-year-old corporal continues to help pick soldiers back up after their lives are haunted by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This year he’ll run a 42km marathon in Townsville while wearing 10kg of body armour to raise awareness and funds for the ex-service organisation Soldier On. Brian first conceived the idea in 2014 following the death of his former platoon commander, Captain Paul McKay, who took his own life in 2011.
Last year, CommBank’s Australian of the Day — who has so far raised $17,000 to help his comrades — was made an ambassador of Soldier On. “I want blokes who are struggling to know we are there to help them and we know where they’re coming from,” says Brian. “We’ve walked in the same shoes, had the same experiences and can relate to their issues.”
Now in its third year, the event is now called the Captain Paul McKay Memorial Shield. Ironically, this year will be Brian’s first attempt; injuries from a motorbike accident ruled him out of the first two. As you’d expect, others in his band of brothers stepped up to take his place. “I’m a bit worried,” Brian admits. “The blokes who ran the first two have set the bar extremely high.”
CommBank has partnered with News Corp Australia for the Australian of the Day initiative in 2016 that celebrates Australians who make a real contribution to their communities. Go to the australianoftheday.com.au website where you can read all about these amazing Australians and perhaps even nominate someone you know.
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