About the Charities:

Digger’s Rest – ‘A Soldier’s Retreat’ (Beerwah, Sunshine Coast)
Due to Australia’s involvement in ongoing military conflicts over the last 15 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 are in need of 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.
Diggers Rest – ‘A Soldier’s Retreat’ has been born by the desperate need to reconnect with our soldiers past and present.
No soldier needs to struggle alone and the sad truth is that we are losing roughly one Digger a week to suicide.

To date, the majority of the Diggers Rest has been funded by husband and wife team through their private company.
In the last three months Diggers Rest has had a total of 127 persons (veterans and their families) come and visit with 72 nights slept.
Their Mission is to create a friendly, relaxed environment on 22 privately owned acres providing activities for any soldier, past and present, and his/her family who feels the need to reset their minds and reconnect. The self-catering accommodation cabins are built by the ex-servicemen, and serve as a place for soldiers and their families to stay in, at no cost, for periods of two to three days at a time. However, any soldiers in need of additional time are encouraged to return on a regular basis.

Diggers Rest need more funding to build more cabins to house more veterans. To be able to bring any serving, or ex-member of the Army to a friendly bush setting environment to recoup and reinvigorate which will help them re-establish themselves confidently back into society. To give these soldiers some good old fashioned ‘bush time’ around an open fire with their families in an eco-friendly lodge environment.

The Kokoda Track Foundation – for the Kids of Kokoda
In Australia we seldom worry about our children having access to school, or being able to see a Doctor or healthcare professional when we need to. However, in PNG the day-to-day reality for people, parents and communities, is vastly different.

Imagine having to walk 10 kilometres through jungle to reach school or to receive medical treatment. For many of us we simply jump in a car, get on a bus, or call an ambulance. Yet in PNG, where 85% of the population lives in rural and remote areas, this is the norm. Less than 2% of children who begin Grade one will go on to complete Grade 12. There is an average of 0.58 health workers per 1,000 people in PNG. The World Health Organisation recommends 2.5 per 1,000 simply to maintain primary care.

The Kokoda Track Foundation need funding for education, health, and livelihood opportunities. Monies raised will help advance education and health, and livelihood opportunities, like teacher training, health infrastructure, supplies and resources.

This means freedom and lasting change for communities in rural and remote Papua New Guinea.

It’s about bringing positive social change to the people of PNG.

They were there for us in our darkest hour… now it’s our turn to lend a hand.