upporting veterans and first responders to Triumph over Trauma
- Crisafulli Government delivers critical funding injection for new purpose-built 4 Aussie Heroes Foundation rehabilitation facility.
- $800,000 commitment will allow for final construction of facility to help rehabilitate veterans and first responders.
- Triumph over Trauma program to operate from the Scenic Rim, supporting personnel living with PTSD and related mental health conditions.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering an $800,000 boost to veteran rehabilitation, supporting charity 4 Aussie Heroes Foundation to deliver a purpose-built facility in the Scenic Rim.
The funding will contribute to the cost of construction of the state-of-the-art centre, which will then allow the Foundation to run their Triumph over Trauma programs.
Currently, the Foundation operates the programs from hired facilities and doesn't have a permanent location.
The 11-day, live-in, holistic rehabilitation programs support former first responders and Australian Defence Force veterans living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and related mental health conditions.
The 4 Aussie Heroes Foundation was co-founded by National Service Army 2nd Lieutenant and Vietnam Veteran Gerry Garard and his wife Renita Garard OAM, dual Olympic Gold Medallist.
The program is free for participants thanks to the generous donations received by 4 Aussie Heroes.
Premier and Minister for Veterans David Crisafulli said the funding would help provide research-led rehabilitation for Queensland's veterans and first responders.
"These are the heroes who have put their lives on the line for Queensland and now Queenslanders are giving back to help put their lives back together," Premier Crisafulli said.
"This will deliver the Foundation's first purpose-built trauma rehabilitation retreat, not only for veterans but also our first responders, giving them access to the help they need.
"This will help unlock those life-changing therapies to those who have already selflessly served their communities and country.
"Queensland is home to Australia's largest veteran population, and these communities deserve our State's support to deliver an effective, dedicated recovery program."
The 4 Aussie Heroes Foundation co-founder Gerry Garard welcomed the Crisafulli Government commitment, which would allow for the completion of the Scenic Rim rehabilitation facility.
"The Triumph over Trauma live-in programs provide an holistic, best practice approach to rehabilitation in a natural environment," Mr Garard said.
"We are thrilled that this funding means we can finish the rehabilitation retreat facility at Scenic Rim, allowing us to assist more veterans experiencing mental health challenges, plus their families and support people as well.
"Triumph over Trauma is an evidence-based program based on cognitive behavioural therapy that was developed by a multidisciplinary team of mental health clinicians and researchers plus lived-experience individuals, all put together by the Foundation."
