What we do
What We Do
The Commando Welfare Trust provides support to Australian soldiers from the Australian Special Operations Command (SOCOMD), who train under extremely dangerous conditions, are disproportionately deployed into combat and are 50% more likely to experience a casualty.
These soldiers and their families invariably face tragic events which create financial and emotional hardship that can last a lifetime.
Despite the many funding, grant or entitlement options available, they do not provide the level of assistance required to address the daily challenges these Australians endure.
Given this, our key objective is to provide emergency and long-term financial support to SOCOMD soldiers, veterans and family members where the system cannot.
To fulfil our mission, we focus on the
following areas:
- Medical and mental health funding.
- Financial aid to families who have lost a loved one or are dealing with the challenges of supporting a wounded soldier.
- Supporting families who have lost a veteran to the mental health battle after the war.
- Working with like-minded organisations to establish programs that support veterans.
- Providing veterans and their families with the funds needed to enhance the quality of their lives.
- In the likelihood of more war, it is important the organisation is futureproofed and prepared to support a larger group of Australians dealing with the tragic consequences of conflict.
Our Impact
Over the past 12 years, we have given $5 million to address the shortfalls in the lives of soldiers, veterans, wives and children who have made significant sacrifices for our country.
A Real Difference
Donating to the Commando Welfare Trust makes a real impact on the people who have risked their lives defending Australia.
Taraidh Colquhoun
In May 2023, an Australian Special Forces veteran, Taraidh Colquhoun, suffered severe injuries in a mountain bike accident, which required surgery to restore a break in the C6-7 of his spine.
Taraidh is now out of the induced coma and is breathing on his own once again. There is some movement in his arms, but it appears that he may not regain the use of his legs.
Since the injury, the Commando Welfare Trust has been providing emergency support to Taraidh and his family and will continue to provide long-term assistance as they tackle the life-long challenges associated with a debilitating spinal injury.
Bree Till
On the 19th March 2009, Bree Till’s husband, Sergeant Brett Till, was killed while disarming a Taliban Improvised Explosive Device.
Brett’s death has caused many complications for Bree, the child the two shared, Ziggy, and, Brett’s older children, Jacob and Taleah, who she was taking care of.
The Commando Welfare Trust provides Bree, and the children Brett left behind, with the ongoing support needed to navigate the daily challenges associated with losing a father and a husband to war.
Gwen Cherne
On February 6th 2017, Gwen Cherne’s husband, Sergeant Peter Jon Cafe, a decorated member of Australia’s Second Commando Regiment, took his life in the garage of the family home.
Sergeant Cafe had served his country in Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor, living in constant threat in the midst of war zones and bloody conflict.
The Commando Welfare Trust has been providing support to Gwen Cherne and the three children she had with Sergeant Cafe to ensure they can maintain a quality of life that isn’t burdened by financial hardship.
Corporal Tim Pereira
In 2012, on his second tour in Afghanistan, Tim Pereira was paralysed from the neck down, resulting in lifelong financial and emotional stress for Tim and his family.
The majority of Tim’s military pension goes towards paying off his mortgage and the 24/7 medical care he needs, which places a large strain on his family.
The Commando Welfare Trust has been funding Tim’s mortgage since 2019 and has vowed to repay the whole amount.