Dear VCA Family,

As we reflect on the first half of 2026, I am filled with gratitude for the remarkable community that surrounds Veterans Care Association. Together, we continue to fulfil our mission of connecting, healing, and supporting veterans and families. I am pleased to share some of the milestones we have achieved so far this year. Especially for my amazing father, Padre Gary, who loves a good newsletter.

We commenced the year with Timor Awakening 36 on the Gold Coast, where we welcomed 18 participants. Throughout the program, veterans engaged in a holistic journey focused on strengthening physical wellbeing, mental resilience, and meaningful connection. It was a week marked by personal breakthroughs, shared experiences, and renewed purpose. You can view the TA36 Report here.

Our Gold Coast programs continue to be strengthened by the generosity of the Service Personnel Anglican Help Society (SPAHS). Their hospitality at St George's Defence Holiday Suites in Coolangatta, including accommodation, group spaces, kitchen and dining spaces, creates a welcoming environment where participants feel at home. Their practical and financial support remains a cornerstone of our program delivery. We also extend our sincere appreciation to RSL Queensland. Their partnership and funding support since 2016 have been instrumental in the development and sustainability of our Timor Awakening programs. Through their commitment, hundreds of veterans and family members have had opportunities to connect, commemorate, heal, and thrive.

Following the Gold Coast program, we travelled to Timor-Leste for TA37. Participants visited our community and education projects in Same and Pro-Ema, explored Timor-Leste's spectacular natural landscapes, and engaged with local communities and veterans whose stories continue to inspire us. We were warmly welcomed by Timor-Leste National Veteran President Vidal "Riak Leman" de Jesus and our long-time friend and TA co-founder, Jorge Alves, now Director of the Timor-Leste Resistance Museum and Archive. We were privileged to be joined, and hosted, by Australian veteran Craig Thrupp, 3RAR (Para). Craig’s generous support of TA and our social impact initiatives is extraordinary and appreciated. To top it off we were fortunate to have two activities with President José Ramos-Horta. My words cannot do justice to the experience, however, the participants' reflections radiate the impact of the journey. Unlike most media, this is good news and uplifting reading (and great pics). See the full TA37 Report here.

As I type this newsletter, the momentum hasn't stopped. On the Gold Coast, Roy, Dee, Mick Lay, Amanda, and Rick are at St Georges working hard for our next chapter. In the past 10 days we have facilitated TA38 Mentor training program, followed by TA39, a 5-day peer-lead, holistic health program for veterans and partners.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to providing opportunities for veterans and families to reconnect with purpose, strengthen their wellbeing, and build lasting relationships within a supportive community. None of this would be possible without the generosity and commitment of those who stand beside us.

To our sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and the entire VCA family, thank you. Whether through funding, advocacy, practical assistance, or keeping our mission in your thoughts and prayers, your contribution makes a difference in the lives of veterans and families. Together, we are changing lives and strengthening communities.

Warm regards,

Michael Stone
President, Veterans Care Association

Thank you and Obrigado to SPAHS/St Georges from Veterans Care Assn (VCA)

I write this just having completed our 38th and 39th Awakening programs, which were also the 15th and 16th programs we have run from St Georges Defence Suites Rainbow Bay. This has involved 6 years of relationship and partnership with the Service Personnel Anglican Help Society (SPAHS).

I wish to express our grateful appreciation on behalf of our VCA committee and indeed all our team and over 320 participants who have benefitted from completing Awakening programs at St Georges over the last 6 years.  I recently attended the SPAHS AGM, where the committee confirmed both their pleasure in supporting our work and their definite commitment to continue that support at least for 2027 and 2028. I gave a report of our activities and our deep appreciation for their support. I explained that from the end of this year they are the only sponsor for our programs on the Gold Coast.

SPAHS came to our aid in 2020 to be able to deliver programs locally, and we have both been on a journey since then to improve the lives of veterans and their families.

It is fascinating that our two organisations have similar roots and a common underpinning vision. SPAHS has its roots in the vision of WW1 Chaplain David Garland who saw a critical need to support those who have suffered, or are suffering from physical, mental or moral injury, as a consequence of their military service. He bought some beachfront land in 1916 and set up accommodation and activities to helping veterans in need. Over time the provision of discounted accommodation became the primary deliverable, and programs were not on offer.

Following almost 20 years of operational intensity, the Veterans Care Association was formed to prevent veteran suicide and helplessness. The association engages veterans in early-intervention health and wellbeing education, as well as peer mentoring in a residential recreational setting, leading to a restored sense of hope and future life purpose.

What we are seeing know is a synergy of the gifts and resources of both organisations, offering a comprehensive healing experience not offered anywhere else in Australia.

We at VCA are incredibly grateful for the accommodation and funding provided for our 'Awakening' programs. We are also deeply appreciative of the warm welcome we always receive from the SPAHS and St George's teams - especially from SPAHS Chairperson Jenny Walker, Executive Officer Norm Yorston and Front Office Manager Kim Moore. Your efforts in providing and expanding these full-service facilities have allowed us to host up to 40 participants and family members seamlessly.

Together we are companions on a journey of healing our wounded veteran community. Thank you so much. 

You are God’s blessing to us. 

Padre Gary Stone, OAM

23 June 2026

One thing for sure is you can’t get between Roy and his Ice Cream… and on the Goldie there isn’t a shortage of places to buy one!!

Quarterly Wrap-Up: Building Leaders, Conquering Peaks, and What’s Next!

From the beaches of the Gold Coast to the highest peaks of Timor-Leste, our community has been growing, learning, and stepping up over the last quarter.

Program Highlights

• TA36 (Gold Coast): 18 participants kicked things off on the Gold Coast, laying down a powerful foundation of teamwork, growth, and connection.

• TA37 (Timor-Leste): 18 participants took on an unforgettable international adventure—checking out our partner school in Same, conquering the grueling climb up Mount Ramelau, and celebrating on a superyacht.

• TA38 (Mentor Training): 16 TA alumni volunteered their time to return to the Gold Coast for a high-intensity, four-day mentor and peer-support program.

• TA39 (Short Program): 16 participants completed a fast-paced, five-day short program right on the heels of TA38, featuring 6 of our newly minted mentors putting their training straight into practice.

Looking Ahead - TA40 is Locked In

Next stop: Timor and Baucau this August. We are gearing up for another life-changing program for up to 18 participants. Keep an eye on our socials for live updates as the team heads out.

Mentors: Database Update

An email has been sent to you to update our database, understand your availability for 2027, and seek input into the next four programs. Please complete this as soon as possible.

Save the Date: Mentor Retreat & AGM

Clear your calendars for November 17–23 as we head back to the Gold Coast for our annual Mentor Retreat.

Saturday, November 21st: We will most likely host our AGM in the afternoon, with some barefoot bowls involved afterward. Stay tuned for official details and RSVP links.

Thank you to all our participants, alumni, newly trained mentors, and supporters who make these programs possible.

The TA36 Gold Coast Retreat was strengthened by the incredible backing of SPAHS and RSL Queensland, whose support ensured participants could settle into the St George’s Defence Holiday Suites with comfort, stability, and the space to focus on their wellbeing.

This month, David shares his reflections on the TA36 experience - what brought him to the program, the moments that shifted something for him and how this supported environment helped them reconnect with clarity, purpose and possibility.

We’re proud to share David’s story - Thank you!

Who am I and why I chose to attend

Dave Karle ex RAAMC Medic. I applied for TA36 hoping that I might find the course to be a stepping stone to reconnecting and understanding myself better. I had done just enough research to realise Veterans Welfare Association was achieving significant outcomes for the Veteran community. I had disengaged from most of my service colleagues and felt that I needed to reconcile with my past. Luckily I was interviewed and selected to participate on TA36 which was a huge step forward for me.

I had not travelled or participated in any social activities for a long time so it was a make or break point in my life but luckily I found the courage to commit to the retreat and the challenges ahead.

My health and wellbeing goals 

I was initially worried that I would feel the same emotions and apprehension that we all experience marching into a promotion or courses camp. I did feel that but once I met the staff and volunteers, I realised this was going to be a supportive experience. Whilst we all arrived and left the retreat with our own individual and unique histories, the retreat’s subjects including “Finding your Tribe” and “Compassion Fatigue” certainly have assisted me to address aspects of my life that have been neglected for years. Like most of the participants, I arrived with visible and not so visible medical conditions and injuries. I was not able to partake in most of the physical activities but never felt embarrassed, judged or shunned which I feared. We all just combined together in an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding that we were all wounded in some way from our service.

My personal goals for TA36

Fully commit and participate as best as I could, To use the retreat to reconnect with people that have had similar experiences, Hopefully understand and be kinder to myself as I confronted my past, Help find some goodness in what is left of my life.

Life after the retreat 

Thanks to the staff and participants, I left TA36 a much more confident and resilient person then when I arrived. The retreat certainly gave me a stringboard into believing that I still have the potential to achieve a meaningful life and the tools to enhance my future. I am calmer and at ease with my history now. I honestly believe that I still have significant challenges to overcome but TA36 has provided me with sufficient ideas and tools to scaffold and reinforce my way forward to a better place.

Challenges and Wins 

I often questioned whether the beliefs and values that I held when I enlisted are still relevant and valued in present day Australia. After spending a week with the courageous and remarkable TA36 participants, I feel that my service was for the right reasons and that I can now move on with my life without regrets or doubt.

Above the line moment

I left TA36 feeling that the immersive experience of “Circle Work” and “Big Talk” allowed me to verbalise long suppressed thoughts and feelings that I had never shared before. It’s now up to me to continue my journey but I will always be indebted to TA36 for welcoming me into your family and giving me an experience that I will never forget.

The reporting period has been an exceptionally busy and productive time for the Veterans Care Association, with several significant community and humanitarian projects being undertaken simultaneously across Timor-Leste. These initiatives continue to demonstrate the Association’s strong commitment to supporting education, community development, vulnerable individuals, and long-term social improvement.

Baucau Caibada Village Project

One of the major projects currently underway is the Baucau Caibada Village Project. This initiative aims to improve facilities and infrastructure to better support the local community and create a safer, more functional environment for those accessing the area. The upgrade reflects the Association’s ongoing commitment to practical grassroots development that delivers long-term benefits to the local community.

The project has required considerable coordination, community engagement, and volunteer support, with steady progress continuing to be made throughout the reporting period.

Special thanks to Margaret Goody for her generous donation.

 Same School Program

As the original and foundational project of the Veterans Care Association, the Same School Program continues to provide educational opportunities, learning support, water initiatives, and food assistance for local children and families.

The program focuses on improving educational participation, English language development, confidence building, and creating pathways for future opportunities. The Same School initiative has continued to receive strong support and participation from both volunteers and sponsors, all of whom play a vital role in ensuring children have access to learning materials, structured educational activities, improved nutrition, and a safe, supportive learning environment.

Pro Ema Emergency Accommodation Project

Another major focus during this reporting period has been the Pro Ema Emergency Accommodation Project. This initiative was developed to support vulnerable students facing hardship, housing insecurity, or emergency circumstances.

The project provides temporary accommodation assistance while aiming to deliver stability, safety, and dignity during difficult times. Demand for emergency accommodation support continues to grow, highlighting the ongoing need for community backing and sustainable funding.

The Veterans Care Association remains committed to working alongside local stakeholders, volunteers, and supporters to expand the capacity and reach of this important service. Upon completion, the facility will provide safe, secure, and nurturing accommodation for up to 16 students.

Educational Sponsorships

In addition to these larger projects, many Timor Awakening participants and supporters associated with the Veterans Care Association have continued sponsoring children attending Same School and Pro Ema programs.

These sponsorships assist students with school fees, uniforms, books, supplies, and other educational expenses that may otherwise prevent children from attending school regularly. Education remains one of the most effective pathways for creating long-term positive social change and improving future opportunities for young Timorese people.

The generosity shown by sponsors continues to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of many children and families.

Conclusion

Overall, this reporting period has highlighted the growing impact and reach of the Veterans Care Association across multiple areas of community support and development. Through infrastructure improvements, education programs, emergency accommodation initiatives, and individual sponsorships, the Association continues to create positive outcomes for vulnerable individuals and communities throughout Timor-Leste.

The ongoing dedication of volunteers, participants, sponsors, and supporters remains critical to the success of these projects. The Veterans Care Association looks forward to continuing its work and building stronger partnerships that contribute to lasting social impact and improved community wellbeing.

A special acknowledgment must be given to Craig Thrupp, whose generosity, commitment and ongoing support have been instrumental in making many of these Projects possible.

As at 4th June 2026

Richard Mann

Timor Awakening Scheduled Program

• TA38 Mentor Program Gold Coast - 13 to 17 June - Completed

• TA39 Gold Coast - 17 to 21 June - Completed

• TA40 Timor-Leste - 13 to 23 August Closed

• TA41 VCA Retreat - November 2026 (dates TBC)

If you’d like to get involved with VCA, the first step is to join one of our programs as a participant.  This gives you a genuine feel for the program and helps us build a mentor team with real lived understanding.

Once you’ve completed a program, you’re welcome to put your hand up for future volunteer opportunities. As positions become available, we’ll reach out and give you as much notice as possible. We aim to let our volunteers know around six months in advance so you have plenty of time to plan, prepare, and be part of the VCA mentor team.

Special Shout Out…

Thank you to Dianne, Peter Brinkworth, Cindy Emberson, Benjamin Stokes, Martyn Kruck, DGW Taylor, Daine Lally, Jim Johnson, Luke Hilton, Pete and Annie Maccheroni for your generous donations in 2025/2026 and ongoing monthly subscriptions in supporting VCA. You have afforded an opportunity for other veterans to attend a Timor Awakening Retreat and immerse in the life-changing experience.

Our program gives veterans and their families the space to heal, rebuild, and reconnect through community. With your support, they’re finding their strength again and many are turning that strength into powerful acts of giving back.

Our efforts to secure government funding is ongoing, but it’s the generosity of everyday people and local businesses that keeps this mission moving. Every donation - big or small - makes a real difference. We truly couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for standing with us.