2026 RWA Finalist Aids Veterans' Healing in Tasmania

From 2026 Rural Women's Award National Finalist Amy Vickers' front veranda, there is a 270-degree view of trees. Mountain Ash and Blue Gum tower, studded with ancient conifers and pink skinned Tasmanian Myrtle.

In the distance, the rolling hills and rugged headlands of Mount William National Park break the surface like enormous breaching whales. The quiet is absolute - a far cry from the whirring chopper blades, roaring engines and shouts from fellow crew members from Amy's past as an Aviation Technician with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

It's the peace that drew Amy to Gladstone, Tasmania's most north easterly township. The tiny town of 200 was a welcome respite for the military veteran, who received medical discharge in 2022 after 26 years of service.

"I needed to slow down and reconnect with myself. I took a full year and spent a lot of time sitting on the veranda crying. Trying to figure out who I was and what was important to me." Amy says. "I went to the pub and one of the ladies said, 'do you ride horses?' I said no. She said, 'well, we ride horses around here'. The next day, a horse turned up in my paddock."

Three years later, five horses amble on the 12 acre block Amy shares with her husband, Mark and 16 year old son, Jake. The horses form part of the wellness retreats the 46 year old has created, called Well Beyond Service; a program for those transitioning out of the Australian Defence Force or Emergency Services. With experience running wellness programs when in the Navy, Amy knows the healing power of nature.

"I knew there was value in getting people around the campfire and holding space for them," she says. "There's peace to be found out here. There's stillness. When the world slows down, curiosity comes back, and you begin asking yourself questions about your wellness."

Growing up in Hobart, Amy and her two siblings loved being part of the Cadets.

"I loved the uniform and traditions. I had posters of submarines on my wall."

When a Seahawk helicopter landed on Amy's school oval during a RAN demonstration, a talk with an aviation technician sealed the direction of the then 15 year old's life.

"They described their jobs with so much enthusiasm and excitement. It was there and then I decided I wanted their job," she laughs. "I did work experience in New South Wales in the Fleet Air Arm at HMAS Albatross. I turned 16 in December and the following February I joined the Defence Forces, training as an aircraft technician."

Moving to Victoria's Mornington Peninsula for 12 weeks of training at HMAS Cerberus was a steep learning curve.

"I knew uniforms and rank but found the military language confronting; that clear, concise, correct, fast, factual and free from emotion style of communication," Amy says. "I was transported into this adult world with absolutely no adulting skills."

After nearly four years of training, Amy moved to HMAS Albatross, based in Nowra on the south coast of New South Wales. In 2002, the then 20 year old was given two weeks notice she was being deployed for 12-months to the Middle East - at the time, she was a single mum with a one year old daughter, Olivia.

"It was two different sides; it was fabulous for my career and service and doing the thing I loved the most and it was really heart-wrenching to leave the one I loved the most. At the time the internet was slow; I got two black and white photos the whole time I was away from my daughter."

Based on a ship in the middle of the Arabian Gulf, there were moments of extreme danger.

"When you go into a theatre of war, they give you briefs. On the wall behind them, were 26 photos (of Defence Force members who had been killed in action) – you're trying to listen to what they're saying, but you're thinking, 'oh my God, I hope I'm not the next person up on that wall…I played hockey with that guy'."

The sailor was deployed to the Middle East again in 2012 and 2013, this time as senior management with engineering authority over the Seahawk helicopter and maintenance teams. On her return home, Amy worked in leadership development, executive coaching and Officer initial recruit training, before the toll of her service caught up with her.

"I'd been on the scene of a number of fatal aircraft crashes and things within my mind and body were not working."

Diagnosed with PTSD, Amy chose her medical discharge.

"I didn't grow up as an adult with normal rules. I grew up with service rules and values. The Navy priorities of ship first, then shipmate, then self, weren't serving me anymore."

Now, Amy's mission to help others transition to civilian life has given her purpose. The Gladstone community rallied behind her, fundraising in any way they could.

"There were cakes sold, there were spuds dug up from local paddocks and donations from the community group. These tiny towns have such a rich service history."

Bootstrapping the programs herself, Amy held the first four-day retreat in June 2025, and a second one in April 2026, welcoming 10 former veterans and emergency services personnel from around Australia alongside six volunteer staff. With a focus on connection and reflection, many common themes bubbled to the surface.

"We acknowledging the enormous amounts of trauma that come from service roles," she says. "Building awareness of the things that had been good for the job but were now keeping us stuck. We discuss the disconnect from emotional cues, like emotions, hunger, pain, and how that translates into relationships and parenting."

The tailored retreats include bush walks, yoga, breathwork, equine therapy and creative pursuits like drums and environmental art, all around nourishing food and the peaceful ambience of rural Tasmania.

Now, Amy has been announced as the winner of the 2026 Tasmanian AgriFutures Rural Women's Award, receiving a $15,000 grant to further her vital work. Amy will use the grant to run more retreats and reach more veterans, with the hope to scale the program nationally.

"If a tiny town of 200 can get behind this program, I'm pretty sure there are some phenomenal rural communities out there that could really get involved," she says. "AgriFutures showcases so many women in rural spaces caring for their communities and making a massive difference. To be a part of that is a real privilege."