Location #20 - Darwin longrass
September 04, 2021
Location 20 - Darwin long grass
Tour Journal
Transit day - 4 Sep
- 10min grounding breathing triangles
- Prep-for transit to Howard Springs
- Check in and setup….,picked up our Vantastic printed awning…it’s going be an excellent addition to our messaging and conversation starter on PTSD and mental-health
Day 1 - 5 Sep - a little segue
- Father’s Day
- Check into hotel
- Catchup with veteran Amy & partner Aisha from Cockscomb retreat, 1 x vet 1 x support
- Mindful photography
Day 2 - 6 Sep
- WOW - 21min EMOM
- 2nd COVId jab
- Catchup with veteran mate & ex colleague Justin Strout, 1 x veteran
- Introduced to veteran Gene Hill, through veteran Mat and teed up a catch-up and shoot at the range, 1 x veteran
- Met a veteran 5RAR bloke stil serving waking his dog through JS, 1 x veteran
- Welfare call to veteran LMac
- Lifeline modules
Day 3 - 7 Sep
- Marli, chris the navy veteran and family we’ve previously met on tour. 1 x vet, 1 x support
- Chill out day after COVId jab
- 1hr Walk around the city for movement
- Met up with new traveler friends LM who are support persons for a veteran cousin (Adelaide) who is experiencing PTSD, 1 x support
Day 4 - 8 Sep
- 6min morning gratitude and snooze breathing
- Work Rehab / DVA Physio appointment at Movement for life physiotherapy - shoulders
- Picked up our caravan battery consignment and met veteran Jamie (Tspt) who recently discharged in last 12 months after a 10 year career. 1 x veteran
- Tour planning session
Day 5 - 9 sep
- 20min breathing
- 30min family walk
- Pickup caravan battery replacement
- Visit mates4mates and met veteran chris 1 x vet/fr and jack 1 x vet/ but timings for even were mixed so I’ve booked in bacon breakfast and golf panning family event for next Tuesday
- Update content on new website blog pages
- Caravan awning conversation starter with next door caravan who’s immediate support for nephew in the army / 1 x support
- Follow up call with lifeline team leader - Jacki H
- Ruok calls to veteran/first responder mates
- 30min family arvo walk
Day 6 - 10Sep
- 25min breathing
- 10min stretches
- M4M member induction call
- Visit to Darwin military history museum amazing
Day 7 - 11Sep
- Rest day & food supplies run
- Fixed DJ equipment & prep for music mindfulness mix (Takes from the road)
- Itenerary planning WA
Day 8 - 12 sep
- Veteran welfare shout outs
- Family movie day
- Sunrise record of Tales from the road mix
- 30min arvo bush walk
Day 9 - 13 Sep
- 20min breathing & stretches
- 30mon family morning walk
- Install VanTourHQ power lithium setup
- Met Claire’s schoolmate Ursula & Keith who’s a current serving Navy CPO and kids - 1 veteran / 1 family
Day 10 - 14 Sep
- 20min breathing & 5min stretches
- Pancakes and Gold panning at Mates4Mates NT. We had a fantastic time with the activities and speaking with the members about our tour and mental health. 30 x veterans / 3 x families / 1 ESO public address
- Finished cleanup of VAnHQ power install.
- Veteran Jack (M4M) is also president of ESO Veterans MC Darwin
- Veteran SAFA has prospector business
- Veteran Arnie recommended going to Norforce Kimberley (Tuesday night)
- Informed of another ESO in NT - Reeling Veterans - Angling 4 mindfulness & social group
- Informed of another Veterans respite/retreat - Billeroy House @ RAAF Larrekeyah *to be reviewed
Day 11 - 15 Sep
- 20min breathing
- Rehab Physio
- Connected YVSC & member to USC Thomposin institute for guest speaking PTSD - veterans week
- awning conversation starter - FR police K & 2 kids travelling for respite - 1 FR, 1 x family
Day 12 - 16 sep
- 1hr family walk
- 4WD maintenance service & admin/prep-for transit day
- Dinner catchup w/ veteran Strouty & Tess
Day 13 - 17 Sep
- Last minute notice our transit location closed for wet season…
- Litchfield NP daytrip - Wangi Falls 2km walk and The Lost City 1km loop
- Mindful photography
- WA phase itenerary planning
- Spoke with Pilbara Regiment adjutant - Capt J about participating in their connotative events (Colours presentation) & PTSD / Suicide awareness sessions for Veterans Health week.
Day 14 - 18 Sep
- 20min breathing
- Cut away confirming Darwin Veterans retreat….not enough info on location or point of contact
- 1hr walk @ Darwin Botanical gardens walk
- mindful photography
- Received gift from Veteran J - Jumping Crocodiles
- Received update on website development - 3 theme options, looking amazing
Day 15 - 19 Sep
- 20min breathing
- Jumping Crocodiles experience on Adelaide River
- Prep Veterans week events proposal - Pilbara Regiment
- Prep for transit, RE supply & admin
