Photo: Veteran, Event organiser & Yass Valley RSL sub-branch member – Sarah Watson
Mother of two and a veteran who served in Iraq, former intelligence officer Sarah Watson found community and mateship in her local RSL sub-Branch of Yass, and is organising a morning of yoga and coffee to encourage other veterans and their families in the community to come together.
Yass Valley Veterans, their family members and supporters of Defence in Yass Valley are all cordially invited to attend the Veteran Health Week activity at Banjo Paterson Park this coming Saturday, October 31st.
The Yass RSL sub-branch is holding free beginner yoga classes and a social coffee catch-up will run between 9 am and 1 pm
Ms Watson is the driving force behind the local event.
“I have found community and mateship in my sub-Branch, and by organising a special Yoga day I hope it attracts other veterans to our event to forge new relationships and friendships,” said Ms Watson.
With a theme of ‘Social Connection’, Veterans’ Health Week is a continued reminder of the importance of the role that camaraderie and social activities play in the lives of veterans and their families, supporting both physical and mental health and well-being.
In 1997 Sarah Watson commenced Officer Training at ADFA and graduated with a BA Politics. In December 2000, following a year at the Royal Military College Duntroon, she was commissioned into the Australian Intelligence Corps where she served in several Intelligence Roles within the Australian Army including in Iraq in 2006/07.
As a result of her service, Sarah was diagnosed with PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder and was subsequently medically discharged from the Army in 2015.
During this time, Sarah heard about Soldier On. After gaining a position in the Soldier On team that was to compete in the Trois Étapes cycling race in the Italian Dolomite, Sarah was provided with the focus and drive to pull herself out of the black hole she was in and forged strong bonds with fellow teammates.
Like other events around the nation, Yoga in Yass makes the issue of Veteran’s Health a visible one within our community and with a large number of Defence Force families within Yass Valley, the event is expected to be well supported.
“Many veterans want to get out and have some fun, enjoying camaraderie outside of the traditional club environment, and I believe this will set the scene for even more activities like this to take place moving forward,” Sarah Watson added.
Ms Watson said the up-coming event had already received enthusiastic support from local and veteran businesses, allowing for ‘recognition of service’ gifts that have been donated for veteran participants on the day.
There will also be a Social Coffee Catch-up (coffee van providing free hot drinks) and info on Veteran health supports in the area.
Sarah has advised the Yoga sessions will be run at 9:15-9:45 am (chair-based Yoga for mobility restricted), 10:00 – 10:30 and 1100-1130 (mat-based Yoga for all ages); 18 per session may participate. Please RSVP to Sarah Watson: sarwatson78@icloud.com or 0459 934 793
Pick up a copy of this week’s Yass valley Times print edition out Wednesday to see more of Sarah Watson’s story and the upcoming local event. National details continue…
Around the nation, from competitive sporting challenges including beach volleyball, golf and lawn bowls to other pursuits such as yoga, horse-handling, gardening and dog walking, this year’s activities are also a legacy of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018. Taking place two years ago this month, the Games continues to have a long-lasting impact throughout the Australian veteran community via Veterans’ Health Week and the establishment of Veteran Sport Australia, an RSL partner charity formed to capitalise on the impact of this landmark local event.
Local Veteran Sarah Watson also participated in the 2017 Invictus Games held in Canada with her main sporting event being the Cycling Time Trial and Criterium for which she won Silver and Gold respectively. She also took part in the 2019 Pollie Pedal fundraising event held in Southern Queensland and Northern NSW.
Sarah continues to be a spokesperson for Soldier On, speaking about her journey to audiences throughout Australia and engaging with others in the ex-serving community. This has provided her with the opportunity to reduce the stigma of mental illness in the military and wider community and hopefully give hope to others who may be suffering.
Mr Ray James, Acting President, RSL NSW said the planned activities reinforce the importance of mateship to well being.
“Veterans’ Health Week shines a spotlight on the activity that is already taking place across the state and country year-round, but it is also a timely reminder of our need to regularly review and evolve our services as we work tirelessly to support veterans and their families. This year’s theme of Social Connection also reinforces the importance of camaraderie to overall health and wellbeing, which has been a mainstay of RSL activity since our very inception.”
“Activities being highlighted this Veterans’ Health Week demonstrate that we need to be wherever veterans and their families are, supporting them whenever they need it and delivering services and activities, however, they can be best utilised on the ground. Whether it be directly provided by RSL NSW or facilitated through us by our vast network of partner charities or other ESOs, we are continuously evolving to ensure our total dedication to supporting veterans and their families remains as relevant as ever,” Mr James added.
With ongoing concerns around COVID-19, in-person activities will be conducted in accordance with current restrictions in place, while a virtual event is also being held for those keen to engage in and support Veterans’ Health Week virtually.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said it was fitting that this year Veterans’ Health Week focused on social connection, and encouraged all those in the ex-service community to get involved in some of the events, or at the very least to check in on a mate.
“It is remarkable to see all the diverse veteran community groups across the country come together to stay socially connected with their local communities during a time when it’s needed most,” Mr Chester said.
Veterans and their families will be able to participate in almost 400 events, both in-person and virtually, nationwide as part of Veterans’ Health Week which starts Monday, October 24th – November 1st 2020. The theme for this year’s Veterans’ Health Week is Social Connection, one of the most important aspects of maintaining your overall mental health and wellbeing.
“Events include physical activity challenges, mental health activities, workshops, skill-building opportunities, a record number of online virtual events and lots of chances to make new connections and renew old ones.
“I commend all the ex-service organisations and other veteran groups who have organised events for Veterans’ Health Week this year, making it a COVID-safe place for veterans and their families to show their support for one another.”
Through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Government provided $300,000 in funding to local veteran community groups to continue their ongoing support of veteran mental health by hosting a COVID-safe Veterans’ Health Week event this year.
For more information on Veterans’ Health Week events and information on attending, visit the Veterans’ Health Week page on the DVA website, call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or email vhw@dva.gov.au.
