Wrapping up 2025.
As we prepare to welcome in the new year, we reflect on the last 12 months and the highlights from across the Mates4Mates regions.
Although the beginning of the year saw wild weather for our friends in Queensland, April brought with it a chance to pause, connect and commemorate the veteran community for ANZAC Day.
Community support was high throughout the month, with fundraising events ranging from selling parmi toppers to mountain treks. Thank you to all the people and organisations who held a fundraiser this year, big and small, as your generosity helped to support veterans and their families impacted by service.
The Brisbane team were off to the Dolphins vs Warriors game in May alongside the Australian Army Band, 1st Regiment (Royal Australian Artillery) and their Bushmaster, and 9th Force Support Battalion, with camels Lance Corporal Penny and Corporal Vernon. Thanks to our charity partnership with the Dolphins NRL, Mates4Mates received an impressive donation of almost $14,000 following the 50-50 Charity Raffle at the game to help support veterans and their families.
We would like to give a special thank you to SHAPE Australia and Sleepy’s, who also helped to make a difference in the lives of the veteran community.
Kicking off in June, physical rehabilitation took the Top End by storm, with group exercise classes and yoga sessions in Stuart Park, Nightcliff and Coolalinga helping to keep the community happy and healthy.
Heading along the Queensland East Coast, Defence families were kept busy across the regions during the September school holidays. From a llama farm tour to a confectionary workshop and mini golf, children of all ages could enjoy quality time with their parents and carers.
As we began to wrap up 2025, the newly developed Skills for Recovery Program, ‘Beyond the Uniform’, was held in Ipswich. The program aimed to connect participants with like-minded others in a focused support group while learning mental, physical and social wellbeing strategies that can assist with the challenges of life after serving.
How EMDR supports veterans.
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, is a therapy method used to help with processing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For veterans, this can help to reduce psychological distress which may be impacting their lives.
While veterans generally experience PTSD at higher rates than the general population, understanding what’s happening in a brain with PTSD can give us greater insight into how therapy methods, like EMDR, work.
Where to find support.
Over the holiday season, Mates4Mates will be closed from 4:30pm on Wednesday 24 December 2025 and will re-open on Monday 5 January 2026. If you need support during this time, there are many organisations that offer 24-hour support:
Open Arms 1800 011 046 Lifeline 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
At Mates4Mates, our psychologists are trained in using EMDR to support veterans. Reach out to us today on 1300 4 MATES (62 837) for a confidential chat. Referrals are required to make an appointment.
Tank is a Mate living in Darwin who has been regularly accessing Mates4Mates services for several years.
For more information, scan the QR code to hear from Jono, Mates4Mates psychologist and Clinical Lead of Psychological Services as he explores the mechanics of memory and how EMDR supports PTSD.
What’s your favourite social connection activity?
“My favourite functions are the Friday lunches with table tennis and both the Easter and Christmas lunches, but all activities have been great.” Why do you enjoy being a Mate?
“Being with like-minded people and meeting others that have the same interests as me. It’s a chance to give someone a hand and share in their friendship.”
What impact has Mates4Mates had on you?
“Knowing I’m not alone in facing my demons and helping people with theirs makes me a better person.
I like being in good spirits when attending Mates4Mates, enjoying the camaraderie and the new friendships that develop.”
Manage the holiday season with mindfulness.
The holiday season is typically one of the busiest times of the year, but for some veterans and Defence families it can hold additional challenges.
Around this time of the year, potential stressors for veterans and their families can include changes in routines and structure due to deployments, isolation from friends and wider family due to postings, and financial stressors.
Experiencing these kinds of stressors can increase feelings of anxiety, impact mood and cause struggles with controlling emotions.
Practising mindfulness when feeling overwhelmed can be a helpful tool in the moment to help cope and fight back against stress during the holiday season.
Mindfulness involves staying in the present – or grounded – and remaining focused on your senses, thoughts and emotions as they arise and engaging with the current situation without trying to change or control it.
Practising mindfulness during a challenging moment can increase relaxation. This can then help to manage emotional regulation as well as improve brain function, lower your heart rate, increase your awareness and focus, and increase your feelings of connection. This positive change in your mental state can help you to effectively manage stressful situations.
It’s important to remember that there is no ‘correct’ way to be mindful; it’s about what best works for you.
Some simple exercises include:
• body scans
• mindful breathing
• walking exercises.
Regularly practising mindfulness can help reduce reliance on unhelpful coping strategies during stressful situations and foster more positive outcomes.
The mental health team at Mates4Mates can also support in teaching mindfulness as well as other effective wellbeing strategies and psychological interventions.
To find out more about practising mindfulness, scan the QR code to read the full article online.
Make the call that makes the difference.
Contact Mates4Mates to find out about our services, how you can access support or get involved.
mates4mates. org 1300 4 MATES
Mates4Mates is proudly part of RSL Queensland and supports current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members, and their families, who have been impacted by their service. If you would like to contribute to our magazine please contact the Mates4Mates Marketing team via marketing@mates4mates.org or call 1300 462 837