Anzac Day 2017: Ex-serviceman Glen Ferrarotto driven to help war veterans find work
GLEN Ferrarotto put his life on the line during combat. Now he’s driven to help war veterans find work on home turf.
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WAR veterans repeatedly put their lives on the line during combat.
Soldier-turned-businessman Glen Ferrarotto was no different.
The 37-year-old, from Eltham, joined the army on December 1, 1997.
He led troops on a three-month jungle warfare training program in Malaysia before joining the Australian Special Operations Command.
In the new role, he was tasked with maintaining more than 20 vehicles, motorbikes, trucks and bushmasters in their fleet at the Australian base in Oruzgan Province, Southern Afghanistan.
It was constantly under threat of attack.
During a patrol before sunrise, a gearbox needed to be urgently replaced on a special forces vehicle.
Mr Ferrarotto leapt into action, fixing the fault, while under direct fire from Taliban forces.
The only other option was to get the vehicle flown out, putting helicopter crews at risk.
While Mr Ferrarotto and his crew escaped unharmed in that instance, they haven’t been so lucky on other occasions, which Mr Ferrarotto says has been one of the hardest hurdles to overcome.
“The greatest challenge of Afghanistan was coming to terms with the deaths of fellow Comrades and mates then managing the heightened state of mind back in Australia,” he said.
“The effect is almost instantaneous during war, yet can take years or sometimes a lifetime to reverse.”
Mr Ferrarotto said he travelled to Europe with his wife, Rowena, shortly after he left the army in 2008 but has no recollection, other than photos captured during the trip.
“Short term memory loss is a common effect of the incredible stress soldiers face during war ... which I also struggled to deal with,” he said.
He was recognised with a Soldier’s Exemplary Service Medal for his leadership and service in Malaysia and an Australia Day Medallion.
In 2012, Mr Ferrarotto founded Ironside Recruitment, which is a national recruitment agency, based in Eltham, for ex-servicemen and women.
“Employment is the key to proper reintegration into civilian life post service and often mitigates the risk of developing mental health illness and depression.
“It’s often misrepresented as combat-related PTSD from military service.”
Mr Ferrarotto is determined to continue advocating for fellow veterans and was appointed Senior Vice President of the Montmorency-Eltham RSL sub-branch.
He will also be a guest speaker at the Anzac Day dawn service in Eltham, on Main Rd.
“It’s an honour to be appointed to such a role within the local RSL ... my wife and my two children (Amelie and Angus) are super proud,” Mr Ferrarotto said.
“I’m looking forward to enhancing the community’s understanding of ANZAC and the importance the Returned Services League (RSL) plays in support of veterans and their families.”
Details: montyrsl.com.au
APPEAL KEEPS THE VOLUNTEERS BUSY
DEDICATED volunteers have joined forces across the Diamond Valley to raise vital funds for the Returned Services League ahead of Anzac Day.
Badges and poppies will be sold by dozens of volunteers this month, including a special badge to commemorate the last great charge of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba in 1917.
RSL Victoria’s appeals manager Peter Smith said money raised would go towards providing support for returned servicemen and women.
He said it could include help with medical bills, emergency home repairs, food vouchers and relief from social isolation.
“Providing premium welfare services is a top priority for RSL Victoria and the ANZAC Appeal makes this happen,” Mr Smith said.
Greensborough RSL sub-branch president Lee Webb said it’s an opportunity for the community to dig deep and honour our veterans.
“The ANZAC Appeal continues to grow in momentum with people always eager to purchase a badge,” Mr Webb said.
“All our dedicated volunteers, often veterans, are determined to get into the community and not only sell ANZAC Appeal badges, but to share their stories and experiences. It is a wonderful time for our community to come together and pay respects to our past and present servicemen and women.”
Badges can be purchased from your local RSL sub-branch, Woolworths and Officeworks throughout April.
Details: anzacappeal.com.au
2017 ANZAC DAY SERVICES
Watsonia RSL sub-branch
6AM Dawn service at the RSL, 6 Morwell Ave, followed by a gunfire breakfast.
10AM Commemorative Service at the RSL.
Greensborough RSL sub-branch
6AM Dawn service at Greensborough War Memorial Park followed by a BBQ hosted by the Greensborough Football Club coterie group.
Montmorency-Eltham RSL sub-branch
6AM Dawn service at the Eltham Cenotaph, Main Rd.
9.30AM March from Were St, Montmorency to the Petire Park Cenotaph. Refreshments will then follow at the Montmorency Eltham RSL from 11am.
Diamond Creek-Doreen RSL sub-branch
6AM Dawn service at Hazel Glen College, 115 Eminence Blvd, Doreen.
10AM March to Diamond Creek Community Centre, followed by a service.
Accused coke traffickers allegedly taken down in Ghost app sting
A number of witnesses will be called to testify in the matter of two accused coke traffickers with alleged links to organised crime, as the matter heads towards the County Court.
Four teens from ‘excellent’ families accused of machete-laden carjackings
The four boys accused of a string of terrifying carjackings in Melbourne’s northwest were “excellent” students who had never before been in trouble with police, a court has heard.