Geelong veteran Matthew Jack opens up about ongoing health battle after service

Geelong veteran still fighting long after service as the region commemorates ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day 2025. Senior vice president of the Geelong RSL Matthew Jack served in East Timor and the Middle East. Picture: Brad Fleet

When soldiers return from war, their battle is often just beginning.

Returned soldier Matthew Jack lives in chronic pain connected to a spinal injury sustained in battle in East Timor.

The retired sergeant said many other veterans struggle with mental illness, alcoholism and drug addiction.

Mr Jack, senior vice president of the Geelong RSL, said for many veterans Anzac Day did not just mark the anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli in 1915.

It marked an opportunity to commemorate those who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Unlike many veterans, Mr Jack did not descend from a military family.

He grew up in Cobden, and after bouncing “from job to job” moved to Geelong and joined the Army Reserves when he was 19.

He said he found his place in life.

He became an infantryman, eventually moved to the Australian Army and served in East Timor, Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.

But, Mr Jack was medically discharged from the Army in 2017, nearly 20 years after he landed on his hip while being “shot at” on October 10, 1999.

At the time the then 27-year-old was posted to 2 RAR and had joined the ranks of Charlie Company to help East Timor achieve independence.

This led to a lifelong back injury, forcing Mr Jack to an ordinance role.

“We had contact on a border – I landed incorrectly as I jumped away from getting shot at… it was enough to change my job,” he said.

After his injury, Mr Jack returned to East Timor for peacekeeping missions.

Matthew Jack is the senior vice president of the Geelong RSL and served in East Timor and the Middle East. Picture: Brad Fleet

His medical discharge was difficult, but Mr Jack said he found purpose by volunteering with Geelong RSL.

“I think for a lot of people Anzac Day represents their grandfathers and all that kind of stuff, but hopefully we get across that this is also for veteran welfare; to help them out of a hole and give them a hand up,” Mr Jack said.

“What we’re seeing is … a lot of mental health problems, alcohol dependency, and drug addiction.”

He said annual fundraisers organised by Legacy and RSL Australia were vital to support veterans.

“It’s not for great-grandfathers that aren’t around anymore, it’s not about the war, it’s about helping these people out,” he said.

Mr Jack, who had a spinal stimulator inserted in his back to provide 24/7 pain relief, said ex-service people did not typically share war stories.

Instead, they shared memories of their unit.

“You don’t kind of talk about those things … but when you do talk, it’s always about what ship you were on or what unit you were in — that’s the proudest part,” Mr Jack said.

“And if you’re going (to Anzac parades) for your great grandfather, you probably can’t remember the exact details of what he did but I bet you remember if he was in the light horse.”

Matthew Jack served in East Timor, Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Picture: Brad Fleet

Geelong RSL president Mark Lee said many veterans experienced challenges, including homelessness.

“A lot of the time we see homeless veterans, veterans struggling with bills and a breakdown of relationships,” he said.

“Some have a lot of baggage from their deployments which manifest later and have a lot of trouble reconnecting into society.”

Mr Lee said while he could not pinpoint a specific moment of his own trauma, he said prolonged absence from home while serving was difficult to deal with.

“You forget how many things you missed, how you miss your children and that contributes to guilt,” he said.

Both Mr Jack and Mr Lee said being able to help their fellow veterans gave them a sense of purpose and pride.

Geelong, Surf Coast Anzac Day services

In Geelong, commemorations will begin at the Geelong Peace Memorial in Johnstone Park for a pre-Dawn Service beginning 4:15am.

Following that, Dawn Services at Eastern Beach (6am) and Boer War Memorial Park (6:30am) will be held.

The Naval Association of Geelong will have a sub service at 90-92 Skene Street, Newtown at 9:30am.

Geelong March & Service 11am Commencing from the corner of Yarra street and Malop Street.

The Norlane RSL will hold two services — a Dawn Service at 6am at 51 Plume St and a 9:30am service on 29 Rose Ave.

In Lara, a 6am Dawn Service will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony at 9:50am.

Commemorations on the Bellarine will begin at the Queenscliff Point Lonsdale RSL sub-branch.

The Geelong Anzac Day march along Malop St to a ceremony in Johnstone Park. Picture: Alan Barber

They will run three services — a 5:45am Dawn Service at the Ocean View carpark on Hesse St; a 9am service at The Cenotaph on Kirk Rd; and a final service at Fort Queenscliff starting at 11am.

Ocean Grove RSL will hold two services both at The Cenotaph in Ocean Grove Park at 6am and 10am.

Barwon Heads RSL will have a 9am service at the Barwon Heads Community Hall on Hitchcock Ave, while further north the Drysdale sub-branch will hold an 11am service at the Drysdale Cenotaph on High Street.

On the Surf Coast, the Point Danger Dawn Service in Torquay starts at 6am.

Community members and guests are advised to arrive at 5:30am.

In Lorne, the 7am service at Anzac Memorial Park on Mountjoy Parade will be followed by a gunfire breakfast and later an 11am commemorative service.

There will be a 5.30am reflection at Cameron Park in Anglesea as well as a gunfire breakfast at the bowls club.

The Winchelsea service will start at 10.30am service and finish with a wreath laying at the local RSL clubrooms.

WHAT’S OPEN ON ANZAC DAY

Anzac Day is a restricted trading day until 1pm and only exempt shops are permitted to open.

Chemists, petrol stations, restaurants cafes and takeaway outlets can open.

Shops that meet a size criteria of 20 or fewer employers on a restricted trading day or fewer than 100 employees during the seven days before a restricted trading day can also open.

On Anzac Day indoor and outdoor cinemas, live dance or music events, concerts or plays and real estate auctions must not operate before 1pm.

Sport cannot be played before 1pm on Anzac Day and all sports played must be approved by the state government.

Westfield Geelong will be open from 1pm to 5pm, however some stores may choose not to open or have varying hours.

Early voting centres are not open on ANZAC Day, or Sunday 27 April.

Originally published as Geelong veteran Matthew Jack opens up about ongoing health battle after service