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Over 20 years’ service to Australia
With long-term injuries from his military service, Vincent was struggling with pain in his knees.
After navigating the DVA compensation policies by himself, an RSL Queensland Compensation Advocate (Rebecca, a “good egg”) helped guide Vincent through the claim process, resulting in his successful knee surgery.
Thanks to supporters like you, veterans have access to these vital services.
I'd like to say to the supporters of the Dream Home Art Union ‘thank you very much’, because without that support, a lot of the services wouldn’t be available, Vincent said.
How Vincent’s life has changed
As a Medic in the Australian Army, Vincent’s service always supported those in need. That desire to help others saw him advance to the rank of Captain, through the role of a Laboratory Technician and then, after completing his degree, he became a Scientific Officer. Throughout his service from 1984 to 2007, Vincent was deployed around Australia, abroad to Rwanda, and to East Timor twice.
While Vincent served his country for over 20 years, his connection to the military has been lifelong, with several family members also serving in the armed forces.
“My family background is military. I have an uncle that served in World War II and my father served in the Malayan emergency... my mother also served for two years as a WRAAC. My wife also has a military background... I guess it’s in my DNA,” Vincent said.
With military roots in his family, Vincent’s bond with RSL Queensland has also been a huge part of his life. His father, Denis, has always been an RSL member and after moving north, joined the Tiaro RSL sub branch. Vincent is now a life subscriber at Tiaro as well.
That bond with the RSL has only grown stronger, since he and his wife started accessing group activities hosted by RSL Queensland’s Active Lifestyles program. The program has been designed to provide Defence community members with a range of activities that focus on health and wellbeing. The activities are quite diverse and include abseiling, cooking, blacksmithing and art classes, to name just a few. Vincent and Natasha leapt into the program’s abseiling day before he tried his hand at blacksmithing.
“What we found was a good way to meet up with like-minded people, to be involved with Active Lifestyles and promote healthy living… it was a really positive experience,” said Vincent.
It was during the Active Lifestyles blacksmithing workshop that Vincent met an RSL Queensland Compensation Advocate. Vincent revealed he’d been struggling to navigate some of the Department of Veteran Affairs policies on his own. He also asked the advocate about some of his more complex medical claims.
With expertise across the various policies and legislation, the advocate was able to split up Vincent’s service into the appropriate acts and advised the correct information needed to make his claim successful. She assisted in getting provisional access to medical treatment, and while Vincent was waiting for a claim to go through, he was able to get bilateral knee surgery.
It was amazing. Now, I don't actually have pain in my life. I can navigate stairs a lot better, so it's been a really positive outcome, said Vincent.
Apart from accessing the Active Lifestyle programs and Advocacy services offered by RSL Queensland, the couple are both also involved with other RSL Queensland initiatives that help veterans and their families achieve a better lifestyle. In fact, Natasha now works as a Wellbeing Officer with RSL Queensland.
“If I was speaking to other veterans, I would suggest they contact RSL Queensland and speak to them, because there are other resources they provide too,” said Vincent.
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Life always has its ups and downs. But as a veteran, or the partner of a veteran, you don’t have to face them on your own.
Whether you're looking for employment, wellness programs, or assistance with DVA claims, RSL Queensland has free programs, and people at the ready, to help you achieve your life goals.
To learn more and get assistance, visit www.rslqld.org or call 134 RSL.
How your support changes lives
Since 1956, Dream Home Art Union has been a continual source of fundraising for RSL Queensland. Each ticket sold continues to support veterans and families across Queensland and nationally, through advocacy, employment and wellbeing programs, offering new beginnings to veterans as they return from service. In 2024, RSL Queensland supported thousands of veterans and their families through a range of impactful services and programs to help in real and meaningful ways, including:
