ARTICLES OF INTEREST
PTI linking fitness with mental health
by Flt-Lt Jessica Winnall
ARMY NEWS
WO1 Bridget Pearce at Lavarack Barracks
Photo: Cpl Guy Sadler
In the modern military, fitness is no longer just about sheer physical strength and endurance. It’s about creating well-rounded soldiers, sailors and aviators who are not only physically capable but also mentally resilient.
PTI WO1 Bridget Pearce is at the forefront of this transformation, challenging sterotypes and promoting a more holistic view of health.
WO1 Pearce, based at the Mental Health and Wellbeing Branch, is seeking ways for people to more easily engage a PTI.
“I have spent my career advocating for a more inclusive definition of fitness that goes beyond mere physical prowess to include mental and emotional wellbeing,” WO1 Pearce said.
“By breaking down traditional stereotypes and fostering a more holistic approach, we can create a more supportive and effective military culture.”
WO1 Pearce said there was a critical connection between physical fitness and wellbeing, and that traditional gym settings caused anxiety for some people.
“Traditional military fitness programs often focus on rigorous physical exercises aimed at building strength and endurance, such as running long distances, lifting heavy weights and numerous repetitions,” WO1 Pearce said.
“We force our bodies of all types, sizes, ages and backgrounds into the same exercise, the same expectations.
“Fitness is a personal journey and everyone’s individual experience is valid and important. The gym can be intimidating to some people.
“Defence needs to take an empathetic approach. I encourage everyone to make time to talk to the physical training instructors about their concerns – fitness is not a onesize-fits-all concept.”
WO1 Pearce said functional fitness routines appropriate for all body types and job requirements needed to be integrated, not only to enhance physical capabilities but also promote mental clarity, reduces stress and prevents injuries.
“We need to support people at every stage of their career. We need to support our APS colleagues, as well as those in uniform. We need to support people as they recover from injury, or from giving birth, or a myriad of other things,” she said.
She said physical fitness played a vital role in maintaining mental health, especially in high-stress environments like the military.
“The hope is to ensure that all members of Defence feel capable, confident, and prepared, not just for the physical demands of their roles but to support ongoing overall wellbeing,” WO1 Pearce said.
“In the Mental Health and Wellbeing Branch, our role is supporting the wellbeing of our personnel. I hope to support and empower our commanders to further understand and assist their personnel.”
Making Games requires a big lift
Capt Nicholas Marquis
ARMY NEWS
Sgt Darcy Kay in action at the 2024 Commonwealth Championships
Most people go to Fiji for a holiday – lifters go there to lift.
At the recent Commonwealth Championships in Suva, Sgt Darcy Kay snatched her way to third position on the podium.
Missing the last Commonwealth Games because of illness, she has her eyes on the next ones in 2026, and admits making it will take everything she’s got.
“I think I was a bit nervous to admit that it was a goal the last time round and then missed out. It was really hard to come back from,” Sgt Kay said.
“I’m going to be a little bit more ruthless this time around.”
At the recent qualifying event in September, Sgt Kay was leading the competition when she hit her snatch.
Competitors are scored by the total amount they lift, across two different movements – the snatch and clean-and-jerk.
Being out-muscled by four kilos, Sgt Kay lifted a total of 209kg, with the snatch taking up 96kg.
Canada took the top spot with a 213kg total and England hitting 211kg.
Having recently returned from an injury, Sgt Kay was happy with her results and reaching a PB.
“I was stoked. I’ve only recently gone back up in the weight categories,” Sgt Kay said.
“Competing as a 71kg lifter, I weighed in at 69kg so I still had a bit of size to catch up on with the other girls.
“I’ve just committed to going a little bit heavier, so my weights have to get heavier as well. A snatch personal best at my age – I’m super happy with third.”
After being exposed to Crossfit, the PTI made the jump across to weightlifting almost six years ago.
“I love the travel; the places I get to go to and the people I’ve gotten to meet,” she said.
In what she called a “waiting game”, the 2HB member is now relying on her results to push her over the line into the Commonwealth Games.
“We’re all just sitting on the edge of our seats. You just never know who’s not competing and who will come out of the woodwork and put up a big total,” Sgt Kay said.
Diggers' BBQ makes a difference for children
Captain Annie Richardson
ARMY NEWS
Chefs from 10FSB serve up food in the ‘green kitchen’. Children in Dili tuck in to the delicious tucker. A medic from 1HB enjoys time with some of the children at the barbecue.
Photos: Capt Annie Richardson
ADF personnel took a break from their military training on Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk in Timor-Leste to pick up tongs and provide a barbecue for more than 500 children.
Spearheaded by chefs from 10FSB, personnel spent a day at Kantina Matak (the ‘green kitchen’) behind the presidential palace in Dili.
The nutrition program provides daily meals to some of the most vulnerable members of the community, including children, pregnant women and young mothers.
ADF personnel treated the children to a traditional Aussie barbecue, providing burgers, sausages and fresh salads.
Head chef Sgt Naomi Whiting, of 1 Catering Coy, said it was a rewarding challenge.
“I’ve certainly cooked for more than 500 before but normally in a full kitchen set-up with many chefos with me,” Sgt Whiting said.
“Instead, we brought just two barbecues with us, and had a full production line going – sigs, sappers, medics and F-FDTL all buttering bread, laying out salads and assembling burgers.
“The gratitude from these kids – their ‘ombrigada’ and ‘thankyou Australians!’ – just made it so worth it to be out in the heat.”
With nearly half the population living in poverty and some of the world’s highest rates of child under-nutrition, the Kantina Matak program provides more than 500 meals a day to children and vulnerable groups in the capital and surrounding areas.
The kitchen also serves meals to 120 children at Labeh Primary School in Comoro, and 220 children in Hera township.
Head of Women and Economic Empowerment in the office of the President of Timor-Leste, Bella Galhos, said the ADF’s involvement not only helped feed the children but brought a sense of joy.
“Nutritious meals are so important to overcome issues such as stunted growth and impacted learning for children,” Ms Galhos said.
“Things like beef, burgers, they are very costly, and it’s very exciting for the children to have an opportunity to try a traditional Australian barbecue, with real Australian soldiers.”
Kantina Matak, established in 2022, is part of President José Ramos-Horta’s mission to combat malnutrition in Timor-Leste.
Ms Galhos said that, since the kitchen opened, many, including the ADF, had seen it as an opportunity to help Timor-Leste grow.
“Kantina Matak is not just a simple kitchen – it’s a community and a place for the president to connect with his people; a service where everyone can connect and create opportunities,” she said.
“We hope to make a difference.”
Remember when we had an Orange Sky representative deliver a talk at a General Meeting? We then donated some money to their cause.
Below is a follow up from the organisation.
This month Orange Sky turns 10, marking a decade of connection.
We are taking this time to reflect on what happens when people from all walks of life come together to sit down and have a chat. The magic that unfolds on our six orange chairs, the clean laundry and showers we have been able to provide thanks to the support of people like you.
For the past 10 years, we've provided care and compassion for those facing homelessness and hardship.
And it's because of your belief in a better world that we continue to connect with people going through tough times. We understand the heart of Orange Sky is in the power of conversations within community - it’s more than just clean laundry or warm showers. It’s about creating a safe space where people can feel a sense of belonging.
