Current and ex-serving veterans and families ready set sail on whale watching adventure
Current and ex-serving veterans and their families will soon be taking to the high seas for a whale of a time, as extra vessels are added to cater for the high demand.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Current and ex-serving veterans and their families will soon be taking to the high seas to have a whale of a time with extra vessels needed to cater for the high demand.
Townsville RSL, in partnership with SeaLink Ferries, has given Veterans and their families the chance to go whale watching later this month.
A total of 150 free seats were on offer on the whale watching tour on August 17 but after more than 600 applied more subsidised spots were made available on further SeaLink Whale watching tours.
Townsville RSL Veterans services co-ordinator Adam West said every month the RSL club had a different activity on offer for veterans and their families to experience something new.
“This year we have conducted ziplining off of Castle Hill, Ex Golf, a tag along 4 x 4 weekend to Mareeba, a rifle range day and we have many more exciting activities coming up,” he said.
“This Whale Watching tour is the largest activity that we have planned this year and we are excited about providing an opportunity for veterans and their families to see whales in our back yard.”
He said they were staggered by the initial response but went straight back to SeaLink to see if they could help more Veterans and their families experience the tour.
“They came to us quickly and offered a significant discount (on scheduled tours) for both the 23rd of August and also the 30th of August.
“My understanding there are still positions on those vessels so if defence families want to get on top of that, they might have missed this one where we sponsor that activity, but certainly jump on to that because it’d be a great opportunity and the whales are here.
“If we can offer things like this throughout the year, I think it just goes to show that the RSL is not only invested in veterans, but certainly the families and we want to try and reward that by doing these activities.”
“We cannot provide these opportunities to our veterans and families without the support from District RSL, SeaLink and the patrons of the Townsville and Thuringowa RSL Clubs.”
SeaLink North Queensland General Manager Darren Spearman said his company was honoured to partner with Townsville RSL to offer special whale watching tours and this reflected its ongoing commitment to supporting those who have served our country and giving back to the local community.
“SeaLink is incredibly proud to host veterans and their families on a unique whale watching experience in such a picturesque setting. This tour is our way of giving back to those who have sacrificed so much for our country and demonstrating our deep appreciation for their service.” he said.
Veteran Steve Hobday jumped at the chance to take his family whale watching.
“The family are quite excited to go so I’ve got two little boys and they’re very happy so it should be a great day,” he said.
He said the whale-watching tour also enabled veterans to make social connections with others.
“It’s good for veterans that might be struggling a bit with mental health to get out and talk to other veterans as well, have your families out for support and engage with other families and other veterans.”
RSL Board committee member Kylie Hasse was also taking her family whale watching and praised the RSL initiative to bring veterans together through different activities.
“It’s an awesome initiative, and Adam has been critical and crucial in driving it this year.
“The uptake that you’ve seen in the veteran community — not just those serving, those past serving, and the connections that we can bring together.
“Then layering on top of that, is that all stuff that are within the community and sort of just creating that best part of being in Townsville is that we’re a garrison town and everyone supports everybody.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Current and ex-serving veterans and families ready set sail on whale watching adventure
Officer injured, car destroyed after fire at jail
A prison officer was taken to hospital after a routine burn-off at the Townsville jail’s low-security farm turned dangerous, with strong winds reigniting a grass fire that destroyed a new work ute.
WATCH: Pups rescued as massive fire engulfs car yard
Footage shows the moment police officers rushed to rescue animals from properties near a massive industrial fire that broke out in Mount Isa recently. Watch it here.