Commando Welfare Trust 2025 Holiday Message
As we close out 2025, I want to wish everyone in our community a well-deserved and safe holiday season and thank you for your continued support of the Commando Welfare Trust (CWT).
For many of our families, this time of year is especially difficult. Growing up without a parent or caring for someone who is seriously injured is challenging at any time, and the impact is felt more deeply during the holidays.
At Christmas, we deliver packages to help ease the burden and ensure families feel the support of the broader Australian community.
If you are able, please consider joining our recurring donations program and share this report with your friends and family. Together, we can strengthen the network of Australians committed to making a real difference.
Over the year, we continued to build strong momentum in expanding our presence and increasing our capacity to support Australia’s Special Forces community.
We are currently supporting 50 families, assisting with the education of 35 children, and providing guidance to many others. Unfortunately, our mission is driven by real demand, having delivered a record level of funds to beneficiaries over the past few years.
Below is a brief summary of our recent activity.
Supporting the Colquhoun Family on their Rehabilitation Journey
This year, the Commando Welfare Trust was proud to fund a specialised rehabilitation trip for the Colquhoun family, supporting former 2 Commando member Taraidh as he continues his recovery from a severe spinal cord injury. The accident, which occurred just over two years ago, changed the direction of the family’s life, and the Trust stepped in to ensure they had access to the best possible care during a period of intense physical and emotional challenges.
With CWT support, the family travelled to the Gold Coast so Taraidh could attend the Making Strides Rehabilitation Centre, a facility known for its advanced spinal cord therapy programs. Over two intensive weeks, he completed two-hour sessions, five days a week, focusing on circulation, bone density, muscle activation and rebuilding the link between mind and body. The program delivered meaningful progress, including improved balance awareness and restored confidence in his physical capabilities.
For the family, the trip provided something equally important: hope. It gave them access to world-leading care, a connection with the broader spinal research community, and the reassurance that they are not facing this journey alone. The Colquhouns have shown extraordinary strength, and CWT’s support ensured they could take a significant step forward in their recovery.
Supporting the Keats Family After Losing Their Father & Husband
Corporal Alan Keats passed away in 2019 after a two-year battle with brain cancer, leaving behind his wife, Kelly, and their two young daughters. Alan served with distinction in the 1st Commando Regiment, completing multiple deployments to the Middle East.
Before Alan became unwell, the family had planned to return to Queensland so their daughters could attend Kelly’s former Grammar School. After his passing, that goal seemed out of reach until the 1st Commando Regiment connected Kelly with the Commando Welfare Trust.
With the Trust’s support, both girls were able to begin at the Grammar School in 2021. Their eldest will graduate in 2025, marking an important milestone made possible through this assistance.
Supporting the Next Generation of Commando Children
A new group of Australian Veterans Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) and Commando Welfare Trust scholars were formally presented with their awards in Victoria. These scholarships provide essential educational support to the children of East Coast Special Forces and veterans, giving them the opportunity to pursue their studies with confidence.
The program plays an important role in helping these young people build strong and secure futures, particularly for families facing hardship or loss as a result of service.
We thank AVCAT for their ongoing partnership and everyone who donates to make these scholarships possible. Your support directly strengthens the next generation of East Coast Special Forces families.
Life-Saving Overseas Medical Treatment
The Commando Welfare Trust was able to provide Dan with life-saving overseas medical treatment.
Dan, a Special Forces veteran who served on multiple combat deployments, has battled complex health challenges for over 17 years.
Even in times of peace, there are still Australians living with the lasting impacts of war.
Dan said, “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Commando Welfare Trust and all those who donate to the cause.”
On 20 July 2010, the CWT was born from tragedy — to support the families of our Special Forces after devastating casualties in the Middle East.
Since then, the CWT has provided $7 million in support to the East Coast Special Forces community, helping more than 140 veterans and families.
Fifteen years on, many Australians are still grappling with the daily challenges stemming from these conflicts – and the CWT continues to stand by them.
Unfortunately, this mission is still driven by a real demand as new challenges emerge for our community.
Last year alone, CWT distributed a record $1 million to beneficiaries, supporting 50 families and funding the education of 35 children. The Trustees are very mindful of the changing demands in our Veteran space. If you or your network are either experiencing difficulties or know of mates who are doing it tough and need support from the CWT, please reach out.
Peter Rudland Places Second in Major 5km Wheelchair Event
Ex-Commando Peter Rudland placed second in the 5km wheelchair event at the Gold Coast Marathon.
On 21 June 2010, Peter suffered life-changing injuries in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan that killed Private Benjamin Chuck, Private Timothy Aplin, and Private Scott Palmer. Pete sustained multiple musculoskeletal injuries and a frontal lobe bleed, leading to his discharge from Defence in November 2017.
The tragic loss of his comrades and Peter’s injuries were among the catalysts for establishing the Commando Welfare Trust. Since being wounded, Pete has dedicated his life to helping others.
He runs a company counselling soldiers, police, and emergency services personnel for PTSD, depression, and associated illnesses, while also offering personal training as part of holistic rehabilitation.
Supporting the Worsley Family After Floods Damaged Their Home
Private Luke Worsley was the first Commando to fall in combat in Afghanistan, tragically killed on 23 November 2007 during an operation targeting Taliban leadership.
The CWT has continued to support Luke’s family – a reminder that families continue to face the daily consequences of conflict, even in times of peace.
In 2024, Luke’s family property was damaged again during the floods, and the CWT was proud to assist with repairs to their boundary fence – a small but meaningful way of showing that we’re still here, and we still care.
In 2010, our long-term beneficiary, SGT Garry Robinson, was in a helicopter crash during a nighttime mission in Afghanistan, resulting in the loss of his leg and several other injuries.
Fellow Commandos Ben Chuck, Scott Palmer, and Tim Aplin were lost in the incident, and many more were seriously hurt.
After extensive rehab, Garry took to the world stage—competing in archery, cycling, and swimming at the first Invictus Games in 2014, where he won silver in the pool. He’s gone on to represent Australia in every Invictus Games since.
Throughout it all, the Commando Welfare Trust has supported Garry and his family.
In May 2025, we assisted him in getting to the Roma European Para-Archery 2025, an international Paralympic archery event in Rome, where he won a silver medal.
The CWT postponed this year’s ANZAC Day Kokoda Trek due to flooding on the Track. The Trek will now occur from 13-25 April 2026, culminating with ANZAC Day at Kokoda for the participants of the Trek.
This fundraising event is now fully subscribed, and you can support those on the Trek to raise crucial funds to support Special Forces soldiers, veterans, and their families through sponsorship. Details will be promulgated in the new year.
Merrick Watts, a long term supporter of the CWT, will be also doing the trek and recording the journey for a documentary planned for release later in 2026 on Kokoda and the Commando Welfare Trust.
The Commando Welfare Trust Charity Ball Was a Success
The 2025 Commando Welfare Trust Charity Ball Auction took place at Pillars in Sydney in November 2025, which raised more than $35,000. A strong result that goes directly toward supporting SOCOMD soldiers, veterans, and their families.
Thank you to everyone who attended, placed bids, and backed the cause throughout the night. We will release details for next year’s Ball, and I recommend committing early, as places are limited.
Thank You For Your Support
Please share this email with your friends and family so we can continue to grow our network and increase our capacity to support the Australian Special Forces community.
As we close the year, we remain committed to providing ongoing assistance to Veterans and their families when needed. Our focus is simple: no family should be left without help during their time of need.
Thank you to all our supporters, sponsors and community members who made this year possible. Enjoy a safe and restful holiday with your loved ones, and we look forward to continuing our important work in 2026.
Brigadier Mark Smethurst DSC, AM (Retd)
Chairman,
The Commando Welfare Trust