Buddy Up program keeps veterans connected, and in shape

KRIS Amiet has started a Buddy Up chapter in Hobart to offer support to returned servicemen and women.

Kris Amiet, an Afghanistan war veteran, inset, has started a Tasmanian chapter of Buddy Up Australia. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

ON his last tour of Afghanistan, Tasmanian soldier Kris Amiet was helping mentor members of the Afghan National Army.

It was his second trip to the war zone and he spent 10 months guiding the soldiers.

“If they went off the rails, we would just get them back on track and say, ‘remember what you’ve been taught’,” the 44-year-old said.

Now Mr Amiet, who was medically discharged from the army 12 months ago after a 27-year army career, runs physical training classes for other frontline personnel to help them stay fit and foster healthy social connections.

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“I came back not in good condition after Afghanistan, so one of the reasons I do what I do is to try to help prevent people going through what I went through,” he said.

Mr Amiet runs the Tasmanian chapter of Buddy Up, a nationwide community that offers a way for people who have served their country, either domestically or overseas, to connect with like-minded people.

The Tasmanian chapter runs fitness classes twice a week and other activities such as bushwalking, hiking, cycling and volunteer work to build a mateship group and to contribute to the community.

“What we try to do is to alleviate post-traumatic stress disorder by keeping people in the well zone by helping them stay well connected,” Mr Amiet said.

“I try to show them they can still live a fulfilling life and they can do physical activity.

Buddy Up is open to current and ex-Defence personnel and also police, firefighters and paramedics.

For more information, ph: 1300 030 354 or email [e-mail]