Our nation is in the midst of its longest period of sustained military conflict in its history – almost 20 years. This has involved the deployment of more than 75,000 Australian Defence personnel across the globe, primarily in the Middle East region.
Mental well-being may be affected by military service in the Australian Defence Force and it is estimated that about 48,000 veterans have a service-related mental health condition. One of the biggest single accepted health issue among Afghanistan veterans is PTSD.
Don't forget you can Volunteer if donating is not possible.

DefenceCare is a charity and not-for-profit organisation helping current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force and their families in times of injury, illness or crisis. DefenceCare is proudly part of the Returned Services League. Serving in the Army, Navy or Air Force can have a significant impact on health, well-being and quality of life.
DefenceCare is a leader in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression treatment.
www.defencecare.org.au

St John of God Trauma and Mental Health Research Initiative
St John of God Richmond Hospital is a private psychiatric hospital northwest of Sydney providing comprehensive and holistic mental health care services.
Treating veterans with anxiety, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health disorders. Working with Veteran for over 20 years we created the Xavier Unit in 2005 dedicated for veterans with PTSD and first responders.
They support and collaboration with organisations including; Australian Defence Forces, Veterans and Veterans Family Counselling Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Vietnam Veterans Association, NSW Police Service and NSW Ambulance.
www.sjog.org.au/hospitals/richmond_hospital.aspx
Bravery Trust formerly known as the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Assistance Trust, provides financial support to veterans, current and former members of the Australian Defence Force, and their families, who have suffered injury or illness as a result of their service. The inaugural Chairman, Dr Ken Michael AC, former Governor of WA and Chancellor of the University of WA, established a dedicated and influential group of Board of Director trustees.
"For many, arriving home can signal the beginning of a longer, more isolated journey for personnel and their families." - Bravery Trust Patron-in-Chief Sir Peter Cosgrove
https://braverytrust.org.au
Donors
The team at the Long Ride Home would like to thank the following donors:
A WINES |
ADAGOLD AVIATION |
ADAM WEIR & JOHN HARRIS |
ADC |
ADC ANTHONY BOYD (2ND DONATION) |
ALAN BENNETT |
ALBERT HELLWEG |
ALICE |
ALLAN GALLEGOS |
ALPHA SCREENS |
AME SYSTEMS |
ANASINA GRAY-BARBERIO |
ANDREW MULHOLLAND |
ANDY BARATON |
ANTHONY BARBER |
ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATION COUNCIL VETERANS SA |
APAC ASSISTANCE |
ARARAT RSL VIC |
ATHOL SNEDDEN |
AUDETTE EXEL |
BAD SHEPHERD BREWING |
BALSARINI MARK |
BARRY RONALD |
BELINDA MASTERS |
BERESFORD-PEIRSE FAMILY DONATION |
BERIS & PAUL BIDGOOD |
BEVAN AND KOA JAENSCH |
BILL GLENWRIGHT |
BINDING NOMINE ES VIC BINDING |
BORDERTOWN SUB BRANCH RSL |
BRENTON LEWIS - MAYOR |
BRIAN BRODERICK |
BRIAN KELLY |
BRIAN NORTHEAST |
BRIAN RICHARDSON |
BRIDGETTE - PORT AUGUSTA |
C PALMER |
CAE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD |
CAMERON GRANT |
CARMEL SHERVINGTON & JOCK ANDERSON |
CARNES SISTER |
CAROLINE & JUDD |
CASTLE HILL RSL |
CBT |
CHRIS & USCHI JOHNSON |
CHRIS BOUNSALL |
CHRISTOPHER BRAMHILL |
CRAIGE BOWSHIER - PORT AUGUSTA |
CUSTOMS AGENCY SERVICES (MARK CALLUS) |
DARREL NELSON |
DARYL SMITHWICK |
DAVE MCLELLAND |
DAVE STANFORD |
DAVID MCCAMLEY |
DAVID PROCOPIS |
DAVID WEYMOUTH |
DAVID WISKAR |
DENNIS ELLIOT DIMBOOLA |
DESLEY LAING |
DI RUTLEDGE |
DI WHITE |
DIEDRE AND ROY SMITH |
DIRECT CREDIT POLICE BANK LT D |
DISTRICT COUNCIL OF KIMBA |
DOUG KNOWLES |
DUTCHY - REUNION GROUP |
EDITH ROBERTSON |
ELIZABETH LAYT |
EX 2 CDO COY |
FAYE COX |
FIONA BROWN |
FLEET AIR ARM (W FLEET AIR ARM(W.A) |
FRANK BONHAM |
FUNG RODGERS |
GARY |
GARY MYORS |
GEORGE OESCH |
GLEN POWER |
GLEN WEIR |
GRAEME COLEMAN |
GRAHAM & SHIRLEY SNOOK |
GREG JACK |
GREG MCLEAN |
GREG TATUM |
HAULMARK TRAILERS |
HAYDEN FISHER |
HENRY FUEL CARD |
HENRY NHILL CALTEX |
HOOLEY |
IAIN LOCKYER |
IAN SWINBOURNE |
IAN YOUNG |
INVERELL RSL SUB BRANCH |
J W & E M MATTEN |
JACKIE WENNER |
JACQUI ABBOTT |
JADE |
JAMES SMITHERS |
JANINE HAYES |
JEFF BEACH |
JEFF LEITH |
JENNIFER |
JENNY & ROB HORSTMAN |
JILL WYLIE |
JOH PERRY |
JOHN & JAN TRACEY |
JOHN (KUMARACHA) |
JOHN BREMNER |
JOHN DUPEROUZEL |
JOHN GODWIN |
JOHN KELLS-SANDERS |
JOHN LAWTON |
JOHN MCLAINE |
JOHN TRACEY |
JOHN/ANNE ESPERANCE |
JUDY GALLEGOS |
JULES WHITEWAY |
JULIE DRIVER (MAINSTREET BAKHOUSE CLARE) |
KAREN BERG |
KAREN TOFT |
KAYE MCCLURE-L EC N LECKIE BALLARAT |
KERRY & TONY VELLA |
KERRY & TRISH LAMPARD (CLARE) |
KERRY PORTER |
KEVIN & DIANNA HEWITT |
KIM HARDWICK |
KONSTANTIN KVATCH |
KURTIS POLUME |
LAURIE & HEATHER |
LEANNE POTTER |
LEIGH COLLINS |
LEN |
LEN EX NAVY |
LIONS OF TININTARA |
LIZ JONES & TOM |
LOCKFORCE |
LOCKFORCE |
LORRAINE LARMENT |
LOU RYAN |
LOUISE KENT |
LOWEN LODGE FREEMASONS |
LOZZ HOLDING |
LUKE THOMAS - BEYOND BLUE |
LYN AUSTIN |
LYNE & GLENN FRASER |
LYNN AUSTIN |
M J FLIGHT & S F DONATION MJ FLIGHT |
M PUDNEY |
M S HARDY |
M WASSENARA |
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MALCOLM HENMAN |
MARGARET |
MARGARET & MICK |
MARGARET AND MICK |
MARGARET MACKENZIE |
MARIE BROADFORD |
MARK & STEPH SAYER |
MARK HARDY |
MARY ANNE FEBER |
MARYKE |
MATT NORCOTT |
MAXINE SANTICH |
MAYOR OF MURRAY BRIDGE |
MERE-HAM RSL |
MERLE OATES |
MICHAEL JEFFERY |
MICHAEL WASSENAAR |
MICHAEL/CODY BUNBURY |
MICHELLE PICKERING |
MICK MALONE |
MIKE DEAKIN |
MIKE DYER |
MIKE NOTTINGHAM |
MIRANDA SUB BRANCH RSL |
MJ MALONE |
MR HAYDEN FISHER |
MRS BRIDLE |
MT EVELYN RSL |
NANNA & TED WILSON |
NEIL & CAROL POWLEY |
NEVILLE DICK |
NHILL LIONS |
NHILL ROTARY |
NHILL RSL |
NIGEL REID |
NOEL RATH |
NOLA OHALORAN |
NORM MOROWSKI |
ORBIT |
PATSY CALLAN |
PAUL ALGIE |
PAULA RAWORTH |
PENTARCH |
PETE RALPH |
PETER FROM FERNTREE GULLY |
PETER INGRAM |
PETER JENKINS |
PETER TINLEY MLA |
PETRA & MARK HAY |
PORT PIRIE RSL |
RACQUEL RAE |
RAFFLE |
RALPH DENTON CEDUNA |
RAY HUNT |
RAY PEARCE |
RAYDIANE OYSTER BAY |
RAYMOND GALVIN |
RED ACB! |
REN & SYLVIA |
RETRAVISIONNARROGIN |
RICHARD STONE |
ROBIN & SPENCERFAULKNER |
ROBIN MCBRIDE |
RODUS ADAM |
RON |
RON FOSSEN |
ROSANNA HOSKIN |
ROSIE HENDERSON |
ROY PERRON |
RSL MURRAY BRIDGE |
RSL BALGOWLAH-SEAFORTH-CLONTARF |
RSL BATEMANS BAY |
RSL BEGA |
RSL FINLEY SUB BRANCH |
RSL NARROMINE |
RSL NOWRA |
RSL NYNGAN |
RSL SMITHFIELD SU B DONATION |
RUPERT HORN |
RUTH CONNORS |
RYAN SMITH |
S&G SNOOK |
SALLY KING |
SAS ASSOCIATION (SA BRANCH) |
SCOTT BUCHANAN |
SCOTT MARDEN |
SEND OFF SOUTH PERTH |
SLAM DUNCAN |
STEVE JOY |
STEVE UHRANE |
STEVEN SINGER |
SUA AND JESS |
SUE & BERNIE KELLY |
SUE (CLARE) |
SUE WALKER |
TED EDWARD G MCEVOY |
TERENCE BARKER |
TERRY BARKER |
THE SAVAGES |
THE SMITHS |
THEO THOMAS |
THOMAS GOLDER |
TIM FOOTER |
TIM STEVENS |
TINTINARA LIONS CLUB |
TOM & NAOMI GALLAGHER |
TONY DALE |
TONY LOVE-LINAY |
TONY SHEP |
TOUKLEY RSL |
TRACEY CULLEN |
TREV/LEE CASTLEMAINE |
TWO WELLS RSL |
VIC BALFOUR |
VIC BINDING |
VICKI SIMPSON |
VICTORIA QUINTON |
WA ASASA |
WALKERS |
WARREN WARD |
WARWICK CARNES |
WENDY AVERY |
WILLIAM TH CROWE |
WIMMERA VIETNM VETERANS |
WORDS CEDUNA
DR BRUCE HORSFIELD
BOWRAL RSL CLUB
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... and many more anonymous donors, thank you.
Messages
An outstanding achievement from a dedicated veteran,who has done us all proud. If there was one deserved nomination for Australian of the Year 2017,someone should nominate this Fine,Selfless Veteran, Achiever and Ambassador for All Defence Force Veterans who struggle everyday to "see the next SunRise"!
Lionel Raines
Men like Truck inspire RSL's all over Oz to keep supporting causes like this! You are doing a great job Truck. Keep it up.
Murray Bridge RSL SA.
Congratulations Truck on completion of your ride.
And thank you for all that have done and are doing to raise awareness of PTSD.
It was an honour and privilege to have met you on your journey and my wife Ruby & l hope to meet you again one day.
Ralph Blewitt
Good on you Truck. It was an honour to meet you on Friday at Government House. Your story and commitment to your fellow servicemen is truly inspirational. All the best for your final leg. See you in Sydney.
Mate, what a bloody legend, very proud to call you a friend.
Gary Myors
So proud to a friend of such a legend, very well done Truck on reaching Canberra. I listened to Jeff Kennett's speech and agreed with everything he said. All the best for the final stage to Sydney.
Kim Taylor
Well done Truck, an absolute legend. Stay safe.
Mark Myers
Trucker... Many thanks for taking the time to send HB messages, it means a lot that so many people have taken the time especially you. I trust all is going well and that 'the band of brothers' are still supporting you in your epic adventure - you're a true 'Blade' mate. Take care.
Nick Martin UK
Well done and congratulations.
Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur
Congratulaions Truck. You're a true veteran and friend of veterans.
Frank Benfield
Just the other day I discovered "The Long Ride Home" site. Bloody awesome, it kept me glued to the machine for more hours than ever before. We must get together sometime to compare notes on the ride as reading your blog brought back memories,mostly good,some bad,of my own time in Vietnam,both with the mob of trained soldiers,and those wonderful days of pushing pedals through the padi. So!! Seriously i admire what you are doing and wish you the best of good luck and "Selamat Jalan" for Malaysia .
Brian 'Ned' Kelly
Dear all, It was a real privilege meeting you in Saigon and VungTau.
I know many of you took lots of photos, I though I sharesome of the better shots that I have.
If you ever come to Darwin, please look us up.
Cheers
Fung
Hi Laurie. It was nice meeting you on the road today. Looks like you have been up to some epic stuff! Thanks for the inspiration. All the best with your current and future goals.
Mark Gresser
Nice one and best of wishes with the ride Truck. Cheers
Andy Mulholland
Hello and good luck for the journey. There should be a modest donation from me come through in the next few days. I spend a lot of time online talking to Paul Horner, a former policeman who wrote a book about police and PTSD. There are a great many people including police and veterans with PTSD and it's worth trying to stop more suicides.
V. Quinton
Great history, keep up good work. Safe riding chippy
Garry Chippindall
Still looking good there Truck....keep on peddlin
Peter Plonk Wines
Thanks Laurie Sams - each post is so different. Saying goodbye to such a great and supportive team-mate after 2000 km must have been quite a wrench. Helps us relate to the distance you are riding, the people who have worked with you and the friendships you have built. and had to move on from. It's an amazing journey Truck.
Di Rutledge
Its been fascinating to be involved with we have really enjoyed the opportunity to work with you all and Truck is inspirational.
Ruth Spence
I am so pleased Truck, that you visited The Kranji War cemetry for a service. It is beautifully maintained and is a very peaceful and tranquil environment, a credit to the Singaporeans for tending it as they do. I took my son and daughter in law in Nov 2014 to pay our respects to my wife's Uncle known as Little Jack, a 23 yo A/Sqn Ldr named John Marshall Pizzey, 1 Sqn RAAF out of Palembang, MIA believed shot down in a Hudson bomber, off the Banga Islands on 14 February 1942. We found his name on the Singapore Memorial within the Kranji Cemetery, and held our own service and saluted him for his sacrifice on the behalf of many others who who suffered a similar fate. Thank you, Chum, for reminding me of this as well as all else you have done and continue to do on the on this epic journey. Best wishes.
Robin McBride
Hi Laurie, been thinking of you with all this terrible weather... hopefully the worst is over and you will soon be at your destination! You are amazing taking this on and doing an awesome job.
Jacquie Early
Toughest sport in the world bike riding. Look at all the major tours.......they crash, lose skin, bad weather (even snow). Every rider has a bad day. In the end it's all about finishing. Don't let a couple of bad days define the whole journey. Eventually the wind will be at your back and away you go.........big easy miles. Keep at it Truck, every pedal stroke is closer to home. Just remember when on the bike stay hydrated and eat little and often. When off the bike never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down. Good luck.
Tony Shepherd
Truck, you are an awesome inspiration. Hope the weather improves for you....
Mark Hardy
It`s looking a tad rugged out there Truck. I do hope the wind speed and direction gives you a break soon. Awesome riding mate.
Vic Binding
Over the border into South Australia! Well done mate, you are doing great on the bike as well as bringing PTSD to peoples notice. Best regards to yourself, Juvey, Trev, and others in support.
Vic Binding
Great effort, Truck and the Team at The Long Ride Home, 165 km in 1 day, amazing, the Kangaroo tail stew put a bit of hop in your step and a bit of back blast from the rear end. Well done...
Kev Otway
Really enjoying your writeups and in absolute awe of your efforts. With your team, you're an inspiration, Truck.
Frank Benfield
Another fine read Truck. I look forward to your updates. And thank you for the awareness you and the team are raising for PTSD...
Stuart Park
Truck - still following your progress between jobs, I'm very impressed and the guys at work are now on your case. Such a great example to so many people. Continue with 'style' and 'pace' mate, we'll be watching from the top of the world...
Nick Martin UK
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