00:00:00
Speaker 1: Now, the Veteran Games are going to be returning to Darwin for its second consecutive year, bringing veterans and serving defence personnel together at Robertson Barracks on Friday the 18th of September. And it was developed from the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Veteran Games will aim to help veterans rediscover the sense of purpose, belonging and that camaraderie. that can be lost when they leave defence. And joining us on the line to tell us a little bit more is, well, he's the Veteran Support Force Managing Director and fifth generation veteran, Heston Russell. Good morning to you, Heston.
00:00:42
Speaker 2: Good morning, Katie. Good to be talking with you.
00:00:44
Speaker 1: Lovely to have you on the show, mate. Now, tell me, well, for anybody out there listening who doesn't know a huge amount about the veteran games, Lay it all out for us. Let us know.
00:00:55
Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely. So we're in our fourth year, and as you said, it was derived from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Findings that discovered a loss of purpose, loss of community, and loss of identity were key factors leading to mental health and suicidality, particularly for veterans under the age of 40. So we get veterans to form a team of eight plus a couple of reserves and come together to compete in military-style missions. So I think... An obstacle course plus extra stores and equipment plus extra technique points to have to abide by. A casualty evacuation. This year we're actually sending up a ninja war. You might have seen it on things like Ninja Warrior, but then imagine it's a team of eight plus truck tires, logs, ammo crates. They have to get up this thing and themselves as well. So it really draws on some of those unique skills and experiences that come from military service. test that teamwork with a good bit of physicality that we know helps push upstream all these proactive health initiative and intervention elements to support getting our lads and ladies back together and celebrate what we can do as opposed to what we can't.
00:02:04
Speaker 1: I love it. I remember when you told me about this last year and I thought, what a fantastic idea. You know, I love the way that, you know, it's people getting together, it's teams getting together and, you know, really having a crack at a number of different obstacles. It's almost like an extreme sport, Aston. It is, it is.
00:02:22
Speaker 2: And you know what? Head over to VeteranGames.com or to our YouTube. You should see some of the great content of these teams crushing through it. It's designed to be a spectator sport because even a key part we've found now in our fourth year is veterans bringing along their families and their friends and doing these things that we take for granted. You know, getting over a three-metre wall as a team of eight But, you know, their kids and their wives and their husbands have never seen it. And they're like, holy cow, you know, I never knew you could do that. And they have a newfound appreciation for an extra layer of that person's identity that they haven't otherwise seen.
00:02:56
Speaker 1: Yeah, I reckon that's fantastic. Hey, tell me, I know that you said it's the fourth year for the veteran games, but is it the second year in Darwin? It is.
00:03:04
Speaker 2: And you know what? I have to shout out to the Northern Territory Government. The Territory Government, they took the findings from the Royal Commission and established a new line of funding for such proactive initiatives that help to combat those exact findings from the Royal Commission. So for the second year, the Northern Territory Government are helping us sponsor to run this. Plus they're also sponsoring the winning team. to the tune of $ 20, 000 to then travel down to the Sunshine Coast Stadium in October where we're holding our national finals for the veteran games.
00:03:35
Speaker 1: How good. Now tell me, how were the Territorians? How was everybody in Darwin last year and how good do you reckon they're going to be this time around?
00:03:43
Speaker 2: Do you know, it's really good. I have a lot of respect for the territory, first and foremost. The weather you have to put up with, I think, makes you tougher people. But, yeah, they really came to compete. And, you know, we have the U.S. Marine Corps. They're putting in a team. We've got the Air Force. We've got the Navy. And we have a veteran team from the Mad Snake Cafe there in Darwin who are also coming back to compete again. And in particular, it was really amazing to see Some of those veterans from the Mad Snake Cafe team go back on base and be cheered on by some of the current serving lads and ladies and for them to then tell me how much that really impacted and affected them in a positive way. Because, you know, that gap between current and former serving is a divide where we're losing people and helping to bridge that even just through initiatives like this. You get to see the energy, the positivity, and the nostalgia. And you know what? I'm going to shout out, I won't mention his name, but I was back up there in Darwin just the other week doing a bit of a recon back on base for the veteran games. And I ran into one of the guys who was... Easily over 100 kilos last year and a bit swollen around the middle. And he's been training this last year in that same team. And he's trimmed down to the tune of about 18 kilos, he's told me. And, I mean, that's what it's about. Purpose. To provide these proactive health impacts. Yeah.
00:05:03
Speaker 1: Well, and this is the thing. Like, we all know that, you know, being physically active as well does so much for you mentally too.
00:05:11
Speaker 2: Oh, 100%. Mental, emotional, psychosocial. It's a science. It's a formula.
00:05:16
Speaker 1: And you know what?
00:05:16
Speaker 2: It's so amazing to be able to, one, bring it back to the Norton Church again for our second year. And two, I've seen this now for four years and see these physical, mental and emotional changes in our lads and ladies for the right reasons.
00:05:28
Speaker 1: Yeah, it's fantastic. Heston, how many are you expecting to take part here in Darwin?
00:05:34
Speaker 2: So I think we're about 15 teams and I've had to cap it at that. The new brigade commander up there was great. He's like, we're going to direct each unit to put in two teams. And I said, can we please just do one? Because it gets a bit too big, but... Yeah, it should be about 150 of the territory's finest pitting it together. So I'm really looking forward to that. We're bringing up a whole judges team. We're bringing up two shipping containers of our own obstacles this year. So last year on base, we just used the on base facility, but we're literally bringing up our ninja wall and a few other things to ramp it up this year. So I look forward to being able to share some of that with you on our socials and all the rest.
00:06:12
Speaker 1: Mate, what is this ninja wall? What are they going to have to do? I'm a very competitive person, but I don't think I'd be able to. I don't know if I'd be able to do a ninja wall.
00:06:19
Speaker 2: No, you would. You would, you would, you would. And the whole thing is it's teamwork. You can imagine, you know, military, you're moving stores and equipment in the military. You form a chain. Imagine doing that up a 45-degree ramp that's about also three metres high and doing it with things that are too heavy for you to do individually. And they've got their MacGyver bag with a rope. They've got to tie some knots, do this, do that. You know, all these events are designed to throw in those technique and teamwork points to really, you know, so you can't just be the fittest. You've got to be the smartest and work together the best. But, look, we have some awesome videos even from last year. Head over to VeteranGames.com or check out our socials. where you'll actually see a video called The Ninja Wall and you'll get to see. I wouldn't recommend trying it at home. I think I have to make that disclaimer. But, hey, look, if you want to bring a team down from the station, we might be able to run you through. I'm just going to throw that out there.
00:07:09
Speaker 1: Mate, I don't know that we're all fit enough for it. There'd be a few of us.
00:07:12
Speaker 2: No, no, it's technique. It's technique. We can walk through it. No need to run. Don't give me the excuses. Give me the solutions. Let's go.
00:07:20
Speaker 1: Oh, Heston, can anyone come along and watch as well come September 18th?
00:07:26
Speaker 2: Look, we have a great relationship at the base. I'm sure we could figure that out. If they want to, get in contact with us, veterangames, at dsf.org.au or via the website. You know, it is on base, so it is a bit restricted, but there are ways and means, and I'm sure we can make it happen. But otherwise, we're going to be capturing it all to push it out for people to be able to see it in live, some live streaming and also just some posts as well.
00:07:49
Speaker 1: Oh, good stuff. Well, Heston Russell, really good to speak with you this morning. I appreciate your time and all the best. We'll probably catch up with you as the date edges closer.
00:08:01
Speaker 2: Absolutely. Likewise. I look forward to walking you through the Ninja Wall.
00:08:05
Speaker 1: You're cheeky, mate.
00:08:07
Speaker 2: That's right. Got to keep up with you Territorians.
00:08:10
Speaker 1: Good on you, Heston. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Now, the Veteran Games are going to be returning to Darwin for its second consecutive year, bringing veterans and serving defence personnel together at Robertson Barracks on Friday the 18th of September. And it was developed from the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Veteran Games will aim to help veterans rediscover the sense of purpose, belonging and that camaraderie. that can be lost when they leave defence. And joining us on the line to tell us a little bit more is, well, he's the Veteran Support Force Managing Director and fifth generation veteran, Heston Russell. Good morning to you, Heston.
00:00:42
Speaker 2: Good morning, Katie. Good to be talking with you.
00:00:44
Speaker 1: Lovely to have you on the show, mate. Now, tell me, well, for anybody out there listening who doesn't know a huge amount about the veteran games, Lay it all out for us. Let us know.
00:00:55
Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely. So we're in our fourth year, and as you said, it was derived from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Findings that discovered a loss of purpose, loss of community, and loss of identity were key factors leading to mental health and suicidality, particularly for veterans under the age of 40. So we get veterans to form a team of eight plus a couple of reserves and come together to compete in military-style missions. So I think... An obstacle course plus extra stores and equipment plus extra technique points to have to abide by. A casualty evacuation. This year we're actually sending up a ninja war. You might have seen it on things like Ninja Warrior, but then imagine it's a team of eight plus truck tires, logs, ammo crates. They have to get up this thing and themselves as well. So it really draws on some of those unique skills and experiences that come from military service. test that teamwork with a good bit of physicality that we know helps push upstream all these proactive health initiative and intervention elements to support getting our lads and ladies back together and celebrate what we can do as opposed to what we can't.
00:02:04
Speaker 1: I love it. I remember when you told me about this last year and I thought, what a fantastic idea. You know, I love the way that, you know, it's people getting together, it's teams getting together and, you know, really having a crack at a number of different obstacles. It's almost like an extreme sport, Aston. It is, it is.
00:02:22
Speaker 2: And you know what? Head over to VeteranGames.com or to our YouTube. You should see some of the great content of these teams crushing through it. It's designed to be a spectator sport because even a key part we've found now in our fourth year is veterans bringing along their families and their friends and doing these things that we take for granted. You know, getting over a three-metre wall as a team of eight But, you know, their kids and their wives and their husbands have never seen it. And they're like, holy cow, you know, I never knew you could do that. And they have a newfound appreciation for an extra layer of that person's identity that they haven't otherwise seen.
00:02:56
Speaker 1: Yeah, I reckon that's fantastic. Hey, tell me, I know that you said it's the fourth year for the veteran games, but is it the second year in Darwin? It is.
00:03:04
Speaker 2: And you know what? I have to shout out to the Northern Territory Government. The Territory Government, they took the findings from the Royal Commission and established a new line of funding for such proactive initiatives that help to combat those exact findings from the Royal Commission. So for the second year, the Northern Territory Government are helping us sponsor to run this. Plus they're also sponsoring the winning team. to the tune of $ 20, 000 to then travel down to the Sunshine Coast Stadium in October where we're holding our national finals for the veteran games.
00:03:35
Speaker 1: How good. Now tell me, how were the Territorians? How was everybody in Darwin last year and how good do you reckon they're going to be this time around?
00:03:43
Speaker 2: Do you know, it's really good. I have a lot of respect for the territory, first and foremost. The weather you have to put up with, I think, makes you tougher people. But, yeah, they really came to compete. And, you know, we have the U.S. Marine Corps. They're putting in a team. We've got the Air Force. We've got the Navy. And we have a veteran team from the Mad Snake Cafe there in Darwin who are also coming back to compete again. And in particular, it was really amazing to see Some of those veterans from the Mad Snake Cafe team go back on base and be cheered on by some of the current serving lads and ladies and for them to then tell me how much that really impacted and affected them in a positive way. Because, you know, that gap between current and former serving is a divide where we're losing people and helping to bridge that even just through initiatives like this. You get to see the energy, the positivity, and the nostalgia. And you know what? I'm going to shout out, I won't mention his name, but I was back up there in Darwin just the other week doing a bit of a recon back on base for the veteran games. And I ran into one of the guys who was... Easily over 100 kilos last year and a bit swollen around the middle. And he's been training this last year in that same team. And he's trimmed down to the tune of about 18 kilos, he's told me. And, I mean, that's what it's about. Purpose. To provide these proactive health impacts. Yeah.
00:05:03
Speaker 1: Well, and this is the thing. Like, we all know that, you know, being physically active as well does so much for you mentally too.
00:05:11
Speaker 2: Oh, 100%. Mental, emotional, psychosocial. It's a science. It's a formula.
00:05:16
Speaker 1: And you know what?
00:05:16
Speaker 2: It's so amazing to be able to, one, bring it back to the Norton Church again for our second year. And two, I've seen this now for four years and see these physical, mental and emotional changes in our lads and ladies for the right reasons.
00:05:28
Speaker 1: Yeah, it's fantastic. Heston, how many are you expecting to take part here in Darwin?
00:05:34
Speaker 2: So I think we're about 15 teams and I've had to cap it at that. The new brigade commander up there was great. He's like, we're going to direct each unit to put in two teams. And I said, can we please just do one? Because it gets a bit too big, but... Yeah, it should be about 150 of the territory's finest pitting it together. So I'm really looking forward to that. We're bringing up a whole judges team. We're bringing up two shipping containers of our own obstacles this year. So last year on base, we just used the on base facility, but we're literally bringing up our ninja wall and a few other things to ramp it up this year. So I look forward to being able to share some of that with you on our socials and all the rest.
00:06:12
Speaker 1: Mate, what is this ninja wall? What are they going to have to do? I'm a very competitive person, but I don't think I'd be able to. I don't know if I'd be able to do a ninja wall.
00:06:19
Speaker 2: No, you would. You would, you would, you would. And the whole thing is it's teamwork. You can imagine, you know, military, you're moving stores and equipment in the military. You form a chain. Imagine doing that up a 45-degree ramp that's about also three metres high and doing it with things that are too heavy for you to do individually. And they've got their MacGyver bag with a rope. They've got to tie some knots, do this, do that. You know, all these events are designed to throw in those technique and teamwork points to really, you know, so you can't just be the fittest. You've got to be the smartest and work together the best. But, look, we have some awesome videos even from last year. Head over to VeteranGames.com or check out our socials. where you'll actually see a video called The Ninja Wall and you'll get to see. I wouldn't recommend trying it at home. I think I have to make that disclaimer. But, hey, look, if you want to bring a team down from the station, we might be able to run you through. I'm just going to throw that out there.
00:07:09
Speaker 1: Mate, I don't know that we're all fit enough for it. There'd be a few of us.
00:07:12
Speaker 2: No, no, it's technique. It's technique. We can walk through it. No need to run. Don't give me the excuses. Give me the solutions. Let's go.
00:07:20
Speaker 1: Oh, Heston, can anyone come along and watch as well come September 18th?
00:07:26
Speaker 2: Look, we have a great relationship at the base. I'm sure we could figure that out. If they want to, get in contact with us, veterangames, at dsf.org.au or via the website. You know, it is on base, so it is a bit restricted, but there are ways and means, and I'm sure we can make it happen. But otherwise, we're going to be capturing it all to push it out for people to be able to see it in live, some live streaming and also just some posts as well.
00:07:49
Speaker 1: Oh, good stuff. Well, Heston Russell, really good to speak with you this morning. I appreciate your time and all the best. We'll probably catch up with you as the date edges closer.
00:08:01
Speaker 2: Absolutely. Likewise. I look forward to walking you through the Ninja Wall.
00:08:05
Speaker 1: You're cheeky, mate.
00:08:07
Speaker 2: That's right. Got to keep up with you Territorians.
00:08:10
Speaker 1: Good on you, Heston. Thank you.
