Due to Australia’s involvement in ongoing military conflicts over the last 20 years, our country is witnessing an increase in the number of soldiers who are failing to assimilate effectively back into society on their return from active duty or their resignation from the military.
Many of our troops may be aware that they need help at some level but continue the mental struggle (PTSD) in private. We are seeing more of these scenarios as time passes as this is taking its toll on our soldiers and their families.
Tragically, statistics show we are losing around one Veteran a week to suicide.
After attending an Army Rugby Old Boys Game vs Navy game in 2014 and listening to a heart wrenching speech given by a young SAPPER who returned from 2 deployments to Afghanistan, we knew something had to be done and we opened our doors and home to reach out and connect with young men and women affected by their experiences overseas and have not looked back.
Diggers Rest – ‘A Soldiers Retreat’ was thus born out of the desperate need to reconnect with these young men and women who have served our nation as no soldier needs to struggle alone.
Healing does not mean the damage never existed – it just means it no longer controls our lives
To create a friendly, relaxed environment on 22 privately owned acres – providing accommodation and activities for any Veteran or serving member of the ADF, and his/her family who feels the need to reset their minds and reinvigorate their family bonds
To offer this self-catering accommodation free of charge for periods of two to three days at a time.
To reduce social isolation by providing socialisation through working bees and tasks that can give the Veteran a purpose and the realisation that they are not alone and can work towards social integration with their fellow ‘brothers and sisters’.
To provide adventure (Veteran African Safari) and programs designed (Diggers 4 Rhino) to give the Veteran a mission or task to work towards helping to regain their self-worth.
RELAXATION & CONNECTION
An extract from a letter received from a 27yr old Afghanistan Veteran who accompanied us in 2018 who in his own words says he “has been having a hard time dealing with the reality of being home”
….“Well let me tell you… Africa can bring you out! The safari that I was fortunate enough to experience was absolutely resurrecting. It shocked energy and enthusiasm back into my soul. All the excitement and adrenaline I had been missing was suddenly back in my life. I felt as if my brain had been switched back on. On safari you never know what might be around the next corner, it may be a giraffe, or a zebra, or leopard and buffalo. It could be a water hole full of crocodiles and hippo. And when a full-grown bull elephant is standing less than 5m away from you, with his trunk outstretched smelling your face, you sure do remember what adrenaline feels like! There is an extreme excitement that rushes through your body when you scan the surrounding bushes of your campsite under torchlight and the bright green eyes of a Hyena pierce the darkness. Or when you are lying in your tent and hear the distant ethereal roar of one of the most devastating predators on the planet, the Lion. Everywhere you go there is wildlife and beauty to be seen. The sunsets are magnificent and inspiring, and relaxation flows through your entire body and mind. There is no place on earth like Africa and the feeling you get when you are there. Africa is Alive! And so am I!
Nick Forster-Jones, a fervent family man and a fourth-generation soldier, came to Australia as a young man from Rhodesia in the early 80’s. His family settled in Perth where he played rugby (union) for Nedlands and represented WA from junior levels through to senior levels. (Captaining the WA u21).
He served 7 years in the ADF mainly with the 3rd battalion Royal Australian Regiment. He played rugby for the Australian Army as well as ASRU.
On his discharge he returned to Southern Africa where he was involved in anti-poaching and club rugby. He and his wife, Karen, ran a successful chain of franchise restaurants whilst serving 2 years in the South African police based in Johannesburg.
He returned to Australia with his wife Karen and their 4 children in 2008 settling in Queensland. He runs a very successful business that takes him around Australia on a regular basis.
He brings to the table not only his experiences as a former soldier but great stories about his travels and life experiences in Africa and he is looked up to as a business mentor by many.
Karen, works alongside Nick in his business, co-ordinating sales despatch from a warehouse in Brisbane and runs the day to day operations for Digger Rest. She oversees catering, cleaning and preparation of the cabins for our guests and although has no military background is considered to be the heart and soul of Diggers Rest in her ability to ‘adopt’ each guest as her own family. She offers unconditional love, a shoulder to cry on and emotional support to Veterans, their wives and families and especially to the mothers of our fallen.
The execution and streamlining and of our annual Safari can only be contributed to Karens hard work and dedication to ensure that everyone has only great memories of their African trip.
