Miriam Kent
Chief Executive Officer, Gallipoli Medical Research

When I speak to veterans about what they miss about serving in Defence, I often hear a similar answer. Mateship. Camaraderie. In jokes. Ribbing. Terrible nicknames. A shared purpose. A community. A family. Despite their injuries, or how they left Defence, something that was a significant component of their life is now missing.

That loss is not a small thing; for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life, it creates an absence of established networks, identity and routine. This can have a profound impact on mental and physical health. As a research institute, our day-to-day work focuses what happens during the transition from the military, and how we can better support those who have served. And one of the many answers that appears repeatedly is sport.

Sport provides a practical and accessible way to rebuild those connections, creating communities where veterans and their families feel seen, valued and supported. In 2025, when we invited sporting leaders from across Queensland to visit GMR we were blown away by their engagement, their willingness to support, and their stories of service. Everyone, in one way or another, had a connection to a current-serving member or veteran: their father; aunty; neighbour; childhood friend. When we then asked these organisations to become ‘Friends of GMR’, to support awareness of, and advocacy for our research, they stood on the starting line beside us. What was then an idea, a promise to help them engage with veterans, and veterans to engage with sport, was captivating. However, ideas alone do not effect change.

Since early this year, we’ve achieved some unbelievable feats through Anzac Day jerseys, fundraising with the likes of NRL Dolphins, Queensland Reds and Brisbane Heat, but we’ve seen the true impact of how sport has supported veterans in people we’ve met like Josh and Cheryl Roney, who’ve put all their time, energy and expertise into Ipswich Little Athletics after both leaving the Navy. Cheryl, who was medically discharged and now has limited mobility, has found new meaning in training the multi-class athletes: children with a disability learning track and field. Read Josh and Cheryl’s story here.

When we hear these stories, along with so many others, we know there are many veterans are out there like Josh and Cheryl, who are already using sport to find new purpose, new connections, new meaning–often without anyone connecting the dots between what sport is giving them and how research can support it at scale.

Chris Thomson was medically discharged from working with explosives in the Army after an MRI showed he had blast-induced traumatic brain injury. He’s now a volunteer with Hockey Queensland, working in their judiciary and integrity space. The volunteer role has allowed him to put his skills and experience to work, while allowing him to manage his ongoing health challenges. Read Chris’ story here.

These stories are not unusual – this is the norm for thousands of veterans who are transitioning to civilian life every year.

It was through these initial engagements, meeting veterans that we have now created a suite of research projects to ensure Friends of GMR makes a real difference. We will launch this plan, and the program nationally in a few months at Australian Parliament House with a simple goal: to harness the power of sport to strengthen connection, improve health outcomes and ensure veterans and their families continue to find community beyond their service.

The vision is simple. Every veteran leaving military service can access a welcoming sporting community, whether as a participant, coach, volunteer, official or supporter. Through Friends of Gallipoli Medical Research, we are working towards that future—one where every veteran and family member can find connection, purpose and belonging beyond service.

Sport has given many veterans their first sense of belonging after service. I believe it can do that over and over again, and I believe evidence-based research is how we prove it – and how to make sure it reaches everyone who needs it.

Has sport supported you in your transition to civilian life? Tell us your story. Email us at enquiries@gallipoliresearch.org.au