Unfortunately that decision was taken out of Bradley Kay’s hands when a battle with post traumatic stress exploded.

“I did three tours of Timor and one of Afghanistan,” Mr Kay said.

“Your head is moving at 1000 miles an hour but the world around you is not (and) you just don’t know what’s going on.

“It would have been close to 12 months after I got back from our last tour, where someone from work actually identified I had an issue but I’d been constantly going to the doctors for headaches not knowing what it was and just self medicating.

“You do things when you know people aren’t watching you do it because you’re just trying to cope and make sense of things but also forget.”

During the height of his mental anguish the former 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Sergeant was referred to a horsemanship clinic run by Geoff and Vicky Toomby.

He had no idea that the Certificate 3 in rural operations would help restore his confidence and sense of purpose in life again.

The Toomby’s ran a successful intensive youth rehabilitation program at their cattle station in Alice River.

“I found one of the big benefits for me was doing this course with some of the young kids and having the opportunity to mentor them because they do look up to you,”

“The course gave me the opportunity to work hard and have that mental and physical stimulation which was so rewarding.

“I think as veterans it’s something we need but are also well equipped to draw on our own experiences and communication and leadership skills from defence to do well.

“When you come out here it’s that satisfaction of seeing these young kids transform and its that reward for you too knowing that you’ve been able to give them a hand.”

Program operators Geoff and Vicki Toomby said they’ve thrown their life savings into making Wonderland Station a reality, but with health ailments and a lack of funding they’ve had to accept the prospect of closing the doors.

“Vicki and I went in to debt of half a million dollars to set this place up with the concept to help crime and get people in to jobs,” Mr Toomby said.

“We see the changes in the veterans and these young fellas but we can’t fund this on our own.”

WHERE TO MEET JACQUI LAMBIE

Monday, January 24

8:00am DROP-IN SESSION WITH JACQUI LAMBIE

War Fighter Coffee, Shop 3/67 MacArthur Dr, Annandale QLD 4814

10:30am FORUM WITH VETERANS SUPPORT GROUPS

Townsville RSL, 139 Charters Towers Rd, Hyde Park

12:30pm DROP-IN SESSION WITH JACQUI LAMBIE

KAP Office Townsville, 2/321 Sturt St, Townsville QLD 4810

6:00pm COMMUNITY CONNECT WITH HESTON RUSSELL

Townsville RSL, 139 Charters Towers Rd, Hyde Park

Tuesday, January 26

12.30pm DROP-IN SESSION WITH JACQUI LAMBIE

Jezzine Barracks, the Strand (following Australia Day Awards)

Senator Jacqui Lambie touched down in Townsville to kick off a jammed packed tour of Australia’s largest garrison city to gain a better understanding of pressing defence issues.

Using her party independence and power in the senate, the Tasmanian representative has carved out a political profile as a crusader for veteran’s issues including her calls for a Royal Commission into the Australian Defence Force.

Most recently, Senator Lambie called for the Chief of the Defence Force General Angus John Campbell to be removed following his handling of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) Afghanistan Inquiry when he announced his intent to more than 3000 special forces soldiers stripped of their citations in response to allegations of war crimes.

A decision which has since been reversed following enormous public backlash, including comments from the Prime Minister declaring no final decision had been made.

In an exclusive interview Senator Lambie told the Bulletin issues within the defence community were largely due to a “lack of leadership”, placing importance on the need to speak directly to troops on the ground.

Ms Lambie, who served in the Army before entering politics said her office had dealt with in excess of 1000 defence enquiries and was acting as a “triage service” to helpless veterans in need of assistance.

“No it’s not in my job description nor do I get extras (staff and assistance) to focus on this triage so it’s a lot,”

“It’s nothing for us (Lambie and her staff) to take calls at one o’clock in the morning unlike some of those hubs out there that shut down over Christmas. We know that is the most dangerous time for veterans so what the hell are some of these ESOs (external service organisations) doing?”

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With Federal MP Bob Katter and Former special forces commando Heston Russell, Senator Lambie’s first day of the three day tour included a visit to Wonderland Station to be briefed on a horsemanship clinic run by Geoff and Vicky Toomby.

Youth justice programs were previously funded by Queensland’s Department of Corrective Services and the Department of Communities but that’s dried up over recent years following a lack of support by the Labor Government after they opted to go with alternative programs.

Senator Lambie wanted to know how she could assist in it’s continuation with more of a defence focus given recent success reported for Equine-assisted therapy for veterans battling post traumatic stress disorder.

Senator Lambie said there was an opportunity for both affected parties to benefit from a partnership, drawing from her own experience as a mother trying to access practical help for her son who previously battled a drug addiction.

“I have a big interest in whatever works for these kids to get back on the straight and narrow but what we do know is detention centres don’t work,”

“Programs like this where we’re getting two for the price of one is where we should be putting our focus because this is a place where veterans can come and rehabilitate and get back on their feet because they’re finding purpose in helping these kids out that are delinquent and need some serious help.

“There’s an 85 per cent success rate here and I have to ask why state and federal parliamentarians are not getting behind these places and we keep chucking more money by starting something new. Why do we go and reinvent the wheel?”

Cook MP Bob Katter echoed Senator Lambie’s statements before declaring he was looking to her leadership in parliament to “take on the veteran’s fight”.

“There are many more people dying when they’re out of the army then what are dying in combat so what we’re doing is not working and what DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs) is doing is not working,” Mr Katter said.

“I personally feel that nothing’s going to happen until you put it under an independent commission, independent of the government (and) completely non political.”

Senator Lambie’s convoy then met with members of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club at a private function.

Former special forces commando Heston Russell said it proved informative in better understanding the culture within the defence community.

“(It was) excellent to see an example of a fully integrated ESO community with current and former serving veterans coming together with a focus on culture in mutual respect,” Mr Russell said.

“(They were) not looking for or needing projects or campaigns to justify their existence.

“(It was) a breath of fresh air for many ESOs to look to for an example of true purpose – supporting Veterans first.”

If you need support, Open Arms offers Veterans & Families Counselling provides free and confidential support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families.

Help is available 24/7 on 1800 011 046 (international: +61 1800 011 046 or +61 8 8241 4546) or visit www.OpenArms.gov.au

kate.banville@news.com.au