Veteran Games Gold Coast: Heston Russell, Brandon Spain hit out after DVA grant applications rejected

The brother of a Gold Coast veteran who took his own life is among those who have slammed a decision to deny funding to a major new event for ex service personnel. Full details.

The brother of a Gold Coast veteran who took his own life has slammed the Federal government not supporting an event designed to help ex-Defence Forces personnel improve their mental health.

Charity Veteran Support Force applied to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for grants of $750,000 to support the inaugural Veteran Games proposed for the Gold Coast from September 30 to October 2.

Founder Heston Russell, a special forces veteran, said 300 Australian veterans had signed up to take part but the applications were rejected earlier this month.

Shaun Spain with twin brother Brandon.

Brandon Spain, whose brother Shaun took his own life on January 7, said the veteran of 15 years would have been disappointed: “He would have loved it. He really would. He would have been a huge part of it,” Mr Spain said.

“The DVA should be throwing a bucket load of money towards this. That (the grants rejection) p*sses me off. It’s sad. They should be getting towards it.”

Shaun Spain’s funeral in Parkwood in February.

Mr Russell, who has himself suffered suicidal ideation, described the death of Shaun Spain as “absolutely tragic”.

He said those most at risk of taking their own lives were veterans under 40 suffering loss of purpose, community and identity.

Mr Russell said the Games, which required veterans to form teams of eight for challenges such as tug of war and obstacle courses, had been designed to help alleviate those issues by allowing them to “reconnect with those fun parts of our military identity”.

He said it was “incredible” the DVA was not offering a single dollar in support of the Games, which are also open to serving personnel.

“When Matt Keogh took over as minister of Veterans Affairs I had a video call with him and his staff. And then for the last 12 months I’ve been tic tac toeing with his office,” Mr Russell said.

“I went down to Canberra, briefed his staff, went and briefed one of the Assistant Secretaries at DVA.

“All of a sudden, without any follow-up the grants are released, and we didn’t get a single dollar.”

Heston Russell, Retired Special Forces Officer and Founder of Veteran Support Force. Picture: Steve Pohlner.

Mr Russell said the Games would still go ahead with support of the community and corporate sponsors but appealed for more to get behind it.

Among those signed up to help is the Veterans Music Venture spearheaded by founder Ian Grace.

Mr Russell said: “We have to make this happen. Particularly for me and my team, given that we’ve had nearly 300 veterans sign up. The disappointment for me is we want to try and elevate it to the level these lads and ladies deserve.

“Every single person we bring this to, they just say wow, this is great,

“There are already so many veterans signing up for it. The word is getting out.

“We can make this happen. We just need support to do it.”

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Senators Matt Canavan, Malcolm Roberts, Ralph Babet, Pauline Hanson and Gerard Rennick have all lent support to the Games.

Senator Roberts said it was “inexplicable” that grant applications for the Games had been knocked back, while Senator Canavan appealed to Minister Keogh to intervene and have the decision reconsidered.

A DVA spokesperson said its grants programs were “highly competitive” and “often oversubscribed”.

“The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) appreciates the work of Veteran Support Force and thanks the many ex-service organisations who support veterans and their families across the country,” the spokesperson said.

“DVA does not comment on specific unsuccessful grant applications, due to the privacy of applicants.

“DVA grant program offerings are highly competitive, often oversubscribed and have finite funding. Feedback is provided to unsuccessful applicants, and advice on how to improve future applications is provided.”

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