Bravery Trek challenge opens to support Australian Defence Force troops

The virtual challenge, meaning participants can trek anywhere, will help raise awareness about the financial support available to veterans and their families.

“Bravery Trek unites community groups, workplace engagement programs and corporate sponsors providing an opportunity to say thank you to those who serve our country and raise awareness of the ways we can support our veterans,” said Bravery Trust CEO Garth Callender.

“We receive incredible support from within the ADF – and we are seeing growing numbers who have never served or worked in Defence signing up for the Trek to show their support by raising funds and awareness.”

Bravery Trek raises funds to provide a financial safety net for veterans and their families faced with hardship, and for longer term financial counselling to rebuild lives.

The charity provides free veteran-specific financial counselling service to all current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force as well as a financial fitness program to assist serving and ex-serving members of the ADF to avoid or reduce financial hardship by developing an understanding of financials options and building better money habits.

“Finances have long been a hard conversation to start,” said Callender.

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“Veterans are by nature proud people, who can find it hard to ask for help when needed.

“Getting people together and raising awareness through Bravery Trek is a way we can initiate and normalise some of those hard conversations and encourage people to reach out for help as soon as their financial circumstances change.

“We know there is an intrinsic link between financial hardship and suicide, and through financial counselling and financial support, we can help to save lives.”

Leidos will again be the major sponsor of Bravery Trek, supported by Wilson Security, Birdon, Defence Bank and Brooks.

This year is the fifth year of Bravery Trek and celebrates the five domains of Defence over five weeks from 8 September to 12 October. Participants will be rewarded with virtual achievement badges as they complete either 10 kilometres or 50 kilometres each week.

Registration is free at www.braverytrek.com.au with a complimentary T-shirt for those who raise $55 before 24 August and a bespoke Bravery Trek Challenge coin for participants who raise $150 during the five weeks of Bravery Trek.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.