Skip to content
The Catholic Leader
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
The Catholic Leader
No Result
View All Result
Home News Australia

New veterans’ rehabilitation program in Timor to combat “health crisis” and increased suicide rates with spirituality

byMark Bowling
14 April 2016 - Updated on 1 April 2021
Reading Time: 3 mins read
AA
Timor Awakening

Helping veterans: Timor Leste’s former prime minister Jose Ramos Horta and Michael Stone, who is principal guide for the Timor Awakening program.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Timor Awakening
Helping veterans: Timor Leste’s former prime minister Jose Ramos Horta and Michael Stone, who is principal guide for the Timor Awakening program.

HUNDREDS of Australian veterans are expected to travel to Timor Leste as part of a unique rehabilitation program with spirituality at its core.

The 12-month program, called Timor Awakening, is taking aim at a “health crisis” amongst young Australian veterans, who suffer from a frightening suicide rate.

RSL Queensland has sponsored the program, which will provide holistic health care for 200 Australian veterans.

It will include an 11-day Timor Leste trip during which the Australian vets will visit sites of historical wartime interest, and team up with Timorese veterans and their families.

“This has all come about because RSL Queensland wanted to give veterans a more comprehensive rehabilitation program,” Deacon Gary Stone, who is chaplain to the ex-service community in Brisbane archdiocese, said.

“There are various hospital programs available, but not a 12-month immersion experience like this, with the support of doctors, psychologists and chaplains – all veterans themselves.

“Significantly, there aren’t any programs in Australia where spirituality is embraced as part of the healing process.”

The Veterans Care Association, with Deacon Stone as president, has planned carefully to include an 11-day Timor trip into the year-long rehabilitation program. 

Last month, Deacon Stone’s son Michael Stone, a former platoon commander in 2RAR, travelled to Timor Leste to make final arrangements and obtain official backing for the program. 

Mr Stone will serve as the principal guide during the Timor Awakening program.

Related Stories

Suicide impacts entire community, defence and veteran royal commission told

Max Stahl legacy etched in the history of Timor-Leste

Francis hopes to visit Papua New Guinea, East Timor

In Timor Leste, Mr Stone met the current military leaders and former president and prime minister Jose Ramos Horta. 

Mr Stone worked as senior advisor to Mr Ramos Horta during his prime ministership.

The first “deployment” of about 20 veterans to Timor Leste is scheduled for July, and a second will follow in September.

Veterans will visit key sites of Australian military involvement from the Second World War resistance by Australian commandos against the Japanese, through to the Timorese resistance led by Falintil against the Indonesian military, and United Nations intervention from INTERFET through to the present day.

It will include visits in and around Dili, Batugade, Motaiin, Balibo, Maliana, Tonabibi, Bobonaro, Aidabeletan, Baucau.

The Timor Awakening program is a collaboration with the fledgling Timorese veteran community.

It is also aimed at enhancing the broader relationship between neighbouring countries. 

About 120 Timorese veterans and their families are expected to take part, underlining a special and enduring relationship they have with Australian soldiers.

“Many of our young veterans have an emotional connection with Timor,” Deacon Stone said. 

“The vision and primary purpose of the Timor Awakening program is to raise the holistic health and wellbeing of veterans and their families.

“Veterans are attempting and committing suicide at twice the rate of the general community.

“And it shouldn’t be that way. These are young people who were screened before they entered the military, were deemed to be extremely healthy, and as a result of service became extremely unhealthy.”

Deacon Stone is a strong advocate of holistic intervention.

“People are reaching out for hope,” he said.

“I’ve had two suicide interventions in the last two weeks.

“In both cases the former soldiers had tried medication, had tried counselling.

“I can offer them the love of God and the compassionate care and companionship of a group of veterans who have experienced the darkness, but have embraced the Light of Christ to get them through it.

“In both cases that has been sufficient for them both to decide to continue to live.”

Timor Awakening is open to all who have served in the military, whether overseas or in Australia.

Expressions of interest for the July and September intakes are available at www.veteranscare.com.au. Applications for the first two programs are to close on May 1.

By Mark Bowling

ShareTweet
Previous Post

Why Brisbane’s Lord Mayor is planning to sleep under the Story Bridge in June

Next Post

What exactly is an annulment?

Mark Bowling

Mark is the joint winner of the Australian Variety Club 2000 Heart Award for his radio news reporting in East Timor, and has also won a Walkley award, Australia’s most-respected journalism award. Mark is the author of ‘Running Amok’ that chronicles his time as a foreign correspondent juggling news deadlines and the demands of being a husband and father. Mark is married with four children.

Related Posts

Suicide impacts entire community, defence and veteran royal commission told

Suicide impacts entire community, defence and veteran royal commission told

29 November 2021 - Updated on 30 November 2021
Max Stahl legacy etched in the history of Timor-Leste
News

Max Stahl legacy etched in the history of Timor-Leste

15 November 2021
Francis hopes to visit Papua New Guinea, East Timor
News

Francis hopes to visit Papua New Guinea, East Timor

25 October 2021
Next Post
Annulment

What exactly is an annulment?

ACU Students in Rome

ACU encouraging students to have study adventure overseas

Walking for Water Our Lady of Dolours'

Our Lady of Dolours’ students go the extra mile

Popular News

  • Here are the stories of 10 new saints being canonised this Sunday

    Here are the stories of 10 new saints being canonised this Sunday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • From a humble start Albanese is sworn in as new prime minister

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Fr Liam receives bravery medal after shark attack rescue

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Queensland election: The pro-life political parties committed to abortion law reforms

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Search our job finder
No Result
View All Result

Latest News

News

From a humble start Albanese is sworn in as new prime minister

by Mark Bowling
23 May 2022
0

ANTHONY Albanese, a self-described cultural Catholic, has been sworn in as Australia’s 31st prime minister today, after...

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

20 May 2022
Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

20 May 2022
Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

19 May 2022
Catholic relationship advisers offer five tips to look after your mental health

Nationwide rosary event happening for Australia’s patroness this Saturday

19 May 2022

Never miss a story. Sign up to the Weekly Round-Up
eNewsletter now to receive headlines directly in your email.

Sign up to eNews
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929. Our journalism seeks to provide a full, accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local, national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader
Accessibility Information | Privacy Policy | Archdiocese of Brisbane

The Catholic Leader acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this country and especially acknowledge the traditional owners on whose lands we live and work throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyChoose another Subscription
    Continue Shopping