Invictus Australia launches in Townsville ready to build a veteran sporting community

A veteran group has made the move north and are ready to welcome defence personnel into a supportive sporting community. Find out how they make a positive impact for people post-service.

With veterans’ health week right around the corner, there was no better time for Invictus Australia to launch in Townsville, offering up a supportive sporting community to current and former serving personnel.

Veteran engagement manager Justine Lugg said it was only right that Invictus Australia dug their roots into the largest Garrison city in Australia.

“We know that sport in general is really good for people’s mental health. With Invictus Australia we look after the injured, wounded and ill, as well as current, serving, next serving, and their families,” she said.

Townsville is home to about 14,200 current and former Australian Defence Force members, equating to around 10% of the population.

Wing Commander Paul Howell, CO 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron, Ainsley Hooker – Invictus Games Alumni and Warrior Games and LTCOL Simon O'Regan, Senior Health Officer, Headquarters 3 Brigade, Invictus Games Coach, at the launch of Invictus Australia in NQ. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Ms Lugg said that a range of free activities and events would be available for veterans and their families to attend.

“Come along to park run, grab yourself a team veteran shirt. We’ll also be hosting a ‘come and try pickleball’, we’ll also be going sailing, so people can learn all about sailing,” she said.

“We will be going over and enjoying the sports walk on Magnetic Island as well. We’re also just about to launch a women in fitness program, which is in partnership with the Australian Institute of personal trainers.”

One man who knows the positive impact that Invictus Australia can have is federal member for Herbert and veteran, Phillip Thompson.

In 2009 Mr Thompson was wounded in action after an Improvised Explosive Device (IET) detonated within one metre of him.

Five years later the former 1st Battalion soldier was asked to attend the Invictus Games in London.

“It was 2014, I was just on the good side of my recovery. It took several years from when I was wounded in Afghanistan to improve my poor mental health and I was just punching through it and getting a reasonable normal life that I was trying to live again,” he said.

Row off between Beau King, Invictus Games Alumni and Phil Thompson MP, at the launch of Invictus Australia in NQ. Picture: Shae Beplate.

He said that during his recovery the Invictus Games showed him he wasn’t the only one battling physical and mental battles after his service.

“Invictus Games are not just about highlighting different injuries, it’s about highlighting the selfless sacrifice of our veterans and their families,” he said.

“It gave me the motivation to get back into the gym … I think it got me in a stronger mentally prepared position. It made me more happy to get up in the morning.

“Not all veterans are broken, but some of us are. This isn’t about a handout, this is a hand up, getting people doing sport and meaningful engagement.”

For information on upcoming events, visit invictusaustralia.org

Originally published as Invictus Australia launches in Townsville ready to build a veteran sporting community