AUSTRALIAN SPIRIT EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE
COME ON CENTRAL COAST GIVE OUR VETERANS THE RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT THEY DESERVE, LET'S LEAD THE WAY FOR THE REST OF OUR NATION
Throughout the years of the Australian Spirit Project Central Coast community members, local and corporate businesses and veteran associations have lent their support, demonstrating and highlighting the philanthropic nature of our community. It has shown what a unified community can achieve and what a wonderful part of the world the Central Coast is to live in.
OUR VETERANS NEED OUR HELP AND SUPPORT NOW
"Upon enlistment into the Australian Defence Force our men and women undertake an oath to serve the Commonwealth of Australia to preserve and defend our nation's freedom. The oath is best summed up by Brigadier “wary” George Mansford who said: “ The oath to serve your country does not entitle you to the luxuries enjoyed by society. On the contrary it implies hardship, loyalty and devotion to duty regardless of rank”. This is what our men and women who serve, live their lives by. This oath does not end upon discharging from the ADF, particularly for those who have sustained injuries through their service and are medically discharged.
The loss of identity, isolation and purpose is particularly common for our medically discharged personnel who have restrictions placed upon their future employment due to the nature of their injuries sustained whilst fulfilling their oath. Despair, loss of hope and frustration can lead them down a very dark hole. In the calendar year of 2017, 80 ex ADF members took their own lives unable to find the freedom and peace so expensively earned by their service.
Our Defence force is not large, in fact those in uniform represent 0.05% of the Australian population. It’s these men and women who give so much for our freedom, ask little for their service but pay heavily and carry the burden for us all. Do we now stand idle as those who gave their all, look to us for help?
The Australian Spirit event on the 10th of November will be showcasing opportunities for businesses and our community to support our returning Soldiers, Sailors and Airman in assisting training and employment opportunities. Ex Defence organisation of all walks and many passionate Businesses and individuals alike have come together in support of our veterans and will show in a tangible way what our veterans mean to us and to say to them that we will never forget their service, after all that is what “Lest we Forget” means."
*Australia’s first female fighter pilots completed their operational conversion course on the F/A-
18 Hornet in 2017.
Peter Talbot, Veteran & Manager, Remote and Local First Aid Pty Ltd (ralfirstaid.com.au)
Further information: aihw.gov.au/reports/veterans/national-veteran-suicide
HOW OUR CENTRAL COAST COMMUNITY CAN HELP
The Australian Spirit Employment Initiative (ASEI) will be officially launched at the Australian Spirit event. A direct result of the acclaimed Australian Spirit project, the ASEI matches prospective employers from suitable industries with transitioning veterans in search of new career and employment opportunities.
Expressions of interest are currently being sought from Central Coast farming enterprises, rural-based businesses and veterans to participate. When a prospective employer recruits a veteran, the veteran will be assisted by the NSW Department of Primary Industries to undergo skills training related to agriculture.
Developments are also underway to include training in first aid, business courses and community services, with the support of training businesses. Plans are underway with the assistance of Jack Pike, Stuff Happens Consultants, to expand this initiative further into regional NSW.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
At the Australian Spirit Event there will be a registrar for expressions of interest.
WE ARE SEEKING
- Philanthropic community members- willing to lend their support, volunteering their time and skills to the development of this initiative.
- Corporate Companies, Local Businesses and Farming Enterprises - Interested in lending their support, prospective employers or involvement in work place job trials.
- Training Businesses - Who are willing to get involved and assist with offering further funded training options for our veterans.
- Veterans - Looking for employment or further training to enhance their employment options and or wanting to get involved and lend their support to this initiative.
- Veteran's Associations - Willing to lend their support and assist with networking and getting involved at the ground level of this initiative.
Interested parties can also register their interest by contacting:
Leasha Craig, Australian Spirit - 0406 539 407
Jack Pike, Stuff Happens - 0455 681 238
Peter Talbot - Remote & Local First Aid - 0484 505 412