Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
A team of Darwin veterans is going to join hundreds
of current and former Defense Force personnel from across the
country competing in the Veteran Games Finals on the Gold
Coast this weekend. Now. The Games involved team based challenges
featuring military inspired activities like obstacle courses, stretcher carries, rope climbs,
(00:20):
and tug of war. It was founded by retired Special
Forces officer Heston Russell to improve the physical and mental
health of veterans in response to the Royal Commission into
Defense and Veterans Suicide. And I'm pleased to say Heston
joins me on the line. Good morning to you. Heston.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Hey, gooday Katie, how are you?
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Yeah? Really good? Wonderful to have you on the show
now mate. Last time we spoke, the Darwin leg of
the Veteran Games was happening. How did it go?
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Hey? That was Glynn. It was so good being back
up in the Northern Territory in Darwin and we had
a really great turnout, especially of the current serving teams,
with the team from five seven Riar taking out the trophy.
And thanks to the Northern Territory Government, they're joining us
this weekend on the Gold Coast.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Oh, how wonderful. So from five to seven, riar.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Did you say that's the one?
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Oh? How good? So what's happening on the Gold Coast
this weekend? It sounds like it is going to be massive.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Yeah. So this is our third annual Veteran Games. We've
got over one hundred and forty veterans coming in to compete,
and like you said before, very different to what people
might think of like an obstacle course race. The teams
will turn up and they'll be given a mission briefing,
so they have a task to complete and it will
involve things like an obstacle course, you know, recovering the casualty,
stuff like that. But they'll be assessed on their time,
(01:39):
technique and teamwork and throughout the day, throughout both days
to complete a series of events to accrue some points,
and then the championship team will be crowned on a
Sunday afternoon.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Well, of course I'll be cheering for the Northern Territory team.
How many territories have you got taking part in the
finals on the Gold Coast as part of that team.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
So this is our first team, first team from the NT.
I mean, as you can appreciate. We're on the gold
coach and one of the big factors is conventions to
be able to afford to travel down and so again
just massive shout out to the Northern Territory Government and
One Brigade for supporting us to do this. But you know,
in years to come we want to keep expanding it
and opening it up and it's only through fantastic sponsors
(02:21):
like Veterans first consulting in others this year that we
can afford to do it. But yeah, we plan on
bringing more of it and this weekend is going to
be very big.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
As you said, oh how good, Well, no doubt our
Northern Territory team are going to be absolutely pumped. Tell
me a bit more about some of the other teams
that they're going to be competing against.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Well, the amazing part is since we had the original
games in twenty twenty three and nine of the teams
so have continued to compete year after year. So we've
got a team coming up from Melbourne, a team coming
from Canberra, actually two teams come from New South Wales
and the rest are all coming from in and around Queensland,
including one from Townsville. So from all over. Yeah, all
(03:03):
walks of life in that high risk demographic. The Royal
Commission identified primarily under the age of forty, but all
been working and training up the last year to come
and compete, and we look forward to putting them through
their paces.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Well. Mate, as a girl who lived in Townsville and
now lives here, I'm telling you how you're going to
have to watch out for the Townsville team and the
Northern Territory team. I reckon they'll be tough.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
I'm with you. I spent my first three years in
the military in Townsville, and it's the weather, it's the distances,
it's something in the water. But they're good competitors and
the tough individuals. So I definitely have high expectations of
your your Darwin team there.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Yeah, I reckon in terms of the you know, the
benefits that this event has as well to you know,
to our personnel that are going to be involved, current
and former Defense Force personnel. I mean, what is some
of the feedback that you get as these events have
taken place place firstly around the nation, but now as
(03:59):
this this one gets underway on the Gold Coast, what
do people tell you after they have been part of us.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Well, it's brilliant and if people want to go online
to veterangames dot com. There's actually some incredible video testimonials
from some of the people who have competed and have
told us. You know, I'm a change person. My wife
says them changed, my daughter says them changed. The Royal
Commission identified loss of purpose, loss of identity, and loss
of community as the three key factors leading to sort
of mental ill health and suicidality. And by giving people
(04:28):
a purpose to reach out former team, train up physically
and come to compete in events that celebrate what you
can do as a part of that military identity, we're
really focusing on all the positives of physical fitness, what
that derives with mental fitness, community connection and celebrating the
weekend with like minded people. That camaraderie, providing that space
(04:49):
where people open up and have conversations they might not
have had before, get to remember some of what they
have done, but also then get out there and show
what they still can do year on year. That's why
we have veterans and their families and their friends all
coming out and enjoying that we can we put on.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Hastin what does it mean like for you as you
know as the founder of this event, and I know
it would take a lot of organization to happen for you,
and I'm sure you know probably a small team that
helps you out with it. What does it mean to you? Then?
You know when you hear from the children of those
taking part, from the families, the wives, the husbands of
(05:26):
those taking part, when they tell you the kind of
impact that it has had on their family members.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Yeah, it's pretty massive. Look, I come from five generations
in the military, including my dad and my brother, and
my brother even came out last year and was a
judge with me, and the end of it, he actually
broke down and cried with me and said he didn't
realize how much he needed it. So it's very inspiring
because I formed the Veteran Games literally out of something
that I wanted to do. It wasn't injured enough and
(05:55):
didn't want to take the place of anyone else applying
for Invictus, and I wanted to do something competitive and
then actually threw on some skills that I had unique
compared to my city mates. So seeing that vision put
in a practice is incredible for me. But seeing people
just the euphoria indulation at the very end of the
games is pretty incredible, and it's just brilliant being able
(06:17):
to be a part of that and helping people to
achieve that.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Good on you. Now, I understand there is also a
chin up challenge at the Games. Is that right? Is
that a first?
Speaker 2 (06:26):
You're well brief You're well briefed. Yes. Thanks to our
thanks to our presenting sponsor, Veterans First Consulting, we're setting
up a heave beam, a chin up beam, and for
every chin up completed, they're going to donate five dollars
to the Veteran Game. So hopefully we can get some
buffloads of football players and Olympians coming out or something.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
The people will be giving it. They're all mate, no
matter what I.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Reckon, that's it. They get to do it on Saturday
and Sunday. You get two days, two days to crack
at it. So yeah, if anyone anyone's listening, anyone's taking
the trip down to the Gold Coast, we'd love to
have you up to cheer on the team and help us,
you know, raise some money as well.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Good on you. It sounds like it's going to be wonderful.
Like I said, I will be cheering for the Northern
Territory team. You know, I don't mind if towns fill
come second because I was born in Queensland. But no,
it sounds like it's going to be absolutely wonderful. I know,
I know a huge benefit to everybody who takes part.
So Heston, thanks so much for your time this morning.
(07:24):
And and yeah let us know how the how the
Territorians go after the weekend.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Well do, thanks Hettie, and thanks so much for your
amazing positivity and really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
No worries at all, Thank you, Thanks so much. Heston,
really appreciate your time.
A team of Darwin veterans is going to join hundreds
of current and former Defense Force personnel from across the
country competing in the Veteran Games Finals on the Gold
Coast this weekend. Now. The Games involved team based challenges
featuring military inspired activities like obstacle courses, stretcher carries, rope climbs,
(00:20):
and tug of war. It was founded by retired Special
Forces officer Heston Russell to improve the physical and mental
health of veterans in response to the Royal Commission into
Defense and Veterans Suicide. And I'm pleased to say Heston
joins me on the line. Good morning to you. Heston.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Hey, gooday Katie, how are you?
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Yeah? Really good? Wonderful to have you on the show
now mate. Last time we spoke, the Darwin leg of
the Veteran Games was happening. How did it go?
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Hey? That was Glynn. It was so good being back
up in the Northern Territory in Darwin and we had
a really great turnout, especially of the current serving teams,
with the team from five seven Riar taking out the trophy.
And thanks to the Northern Territory Government, they're joining us
this weekend on the Gold Coast.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Oh, how wonderful. So from five to seven, riar.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Did you say that's the one?
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Oh? How good? So what's happening on the Gold Coast
this weekend? It sounds like it is going to be massive.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Yeah. So this is our third annual Veteran Games. We've
got over one hundred and forty veterans coming in to compete,
and like you said before, very different to what people
might think of like an obstacle course race. The teams
will turn up and they'll be given a mission briefing,
so they have a task to complete and it will
involve things like an obstacle course, you know, recovering the casualty,
stuff like that. But they'll be assessed on their time,
(01:39):
technique and teamwork and throughout the day, throughout both days
to complete a series of events to accrue some points,
and then the championship team will be crowned on a
Sunday afternoon.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Well, of course I'll be cheering for the Northern Territory team.
How many territories have you got taking part in the
finals on the Gold Coast as part of that team.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
So this is our first team, first team from the NT.
I mean, as you can appreciate. We're on the gold
coach and one of the big factors is conventions to
be able to afford to travel down and so again
just massive shout out to the Northern Territory Government and
One Brigade for supporting us to do this. But you know,
in years to come we want to keep expanding it
and opening it up and it's only through fantastic sponsors
(02:21):
like Veterans first consulting in others this year that we
can afford to do it. But yeah, we plan on
bringing more of it and this weekend is going to
be very big.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
As you said, oh how good, Well, no doubt our
Northern Territory team are going to be absolutely pumped. Tell
me a bit more about some of the other teams
that they're going to be competing against.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Well, the amazing part is since we had the original
games in twenty twenty three and nine of the teams
so have continued to compete year after year. So we've
got a team coming up from Melbourne, a team coming
from Canberra, actually two teams come from New South Wales
and the rest are all coming from in and around Queensland,
including one from Townsville. So from all over. Yeah, all
(03:03):
walks of life in that high risk demographic. The Royal
Commission identified primarily under the age of forty, but all
been working and training up the last year to come
and compete, and we look forward to putting them through
their paces.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Well. Mate, as a girl who lived in Townsville and
now lives here, I'm telling you how you're going to
have to watch out for the Townsville team and the
Northern Territory team. I reckon they'll be tough.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
I'm with you. I spent my first three years in
the military in Townsville, and it's the weather, it's the distances,
it's something in the water. But they're good competitors and
the tough individuals. So I definitely have high expectations of
your your Darwin team there.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Yeah, I reckon in terms of the you know, the
benefits that this event has as well to you know,
to our personnel that are going to be involved, current
and former Defense Force personnel. I mean, what is some
of the feedback that you get as these events have
taken place place firstly around the nation, but now as
(03:59):
this this one gets underway on the Gold Coast, what
do people tell you after they have been part of us.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Well, it's brilliant and if people want to go online
to veterangames dot com. There's actually some incredible video testimonials
from some of the people who have competed and have
told us. You know, I'm a change person. My wife
says them changed, my daughter says them changed. The Royal
Commission identified loss of purpose, loss of identity, and loss
of community as the three key factors leading to sort
of mental ill health and suicidality. And by giving people
(04:28):
a purpose to reach out former team, train up physically
and come to compete in events that celebrate what you
can do as a part of that military identity, we're
really focusing on all the positives of physical fitness, what
that derives with mental fitness, community connection and celebrating the
weekend with like minded people. That camaraderie, providing that space
(04:49):
where people open up and have conversations they might not
have had before, get to remember some of what they
have done, but also then get out there and show
what they still can do year on year. That's why
we have veterans and their families and their friends all
coming out and enjoying that we can we put on.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Hastin what does it mean like for you as you
know as the founder of this event, and I know
it would take a lot of organization to happen for you,
and I'm sure you know probably a small team that
helps you out with it. What does it mean to you? Then?
You know when you hear from the children of those
taking part, from the families, the wives, the husbands of
(05:26):
those taking part, when they tell you the kind of
impact that it has had on their family members.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Yeah, it's pretty massive. Look, I come from five generations
in the military, including my dad and my brother, and
my brother even came out last year and was a
judge with me, and the end of it, he actually
broke down and cried with me and said he didn't
realize how much he needed it. So it's very inspiring
because I formed the Veteran Games literally out of something
that I wanted to do. It wasn't injured enough and
(05:55):
didn't want to take the place of anyone else applying
for Invictus, and I wanted to do something competitive and
then actually threw on some skills that I had unique
compared to my city mates. So seeing that vision put
in a practice is incredible for me. But seeing people
just the euphoria indulation at the very end of the
games is pretty incredible, and it's just brilliant being able
(06:17):
to be a part of that and helping people to
achieve that.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Good on you. Now, I understand there is also a
chin up challenge at the Games. Is that right? Is
that a first?
Speaker 2 (06:26):
You're well brief You're well briefed. Yes. Thanks to our
thanks to our presenting sponsor, Veterans First Consulting, we're setting
up a heave beam, a chin up beam, and for
every chin up completed, they're going to donate five dollars
to the Veteran Game. So hopefully we can get some
buffloads of football players and Olympians coming out or something.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
The people will be giving it. They're all mate, no
matter what I.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Reckon, that's it. They get to do it on Saturday
and Sunday. You get two days, two days to crack
at it. So yeah, if anyone anyone's listening, anyone's taking
the trip down to the Gold Coast, we'd love to
have you up to cheer on the team and help us,
you know, raise some money as well.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Good on you. It sounds like it's going to be wonderful.
Like I said, I will be cheering for the Northern
Territory team. You know, I don't mind if towns fill
come second because I was born in Queensland. But no,
it sounds like it's going to be absolutely wonderful. I know,
I know a huge benefit to everybody who takes part.
So Heston, thanks so much for your time this morning.
(07:24):
And and yeah let us know how the how the
Territorians go after the weekend.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Well do, thanks Hettie, and thanks so much for your
amazing positivity and really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
No worries at all, Thank you, Thanks so much. Heston,
really appreciate your time.
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