DVA Tell Your Story: Tich — Veterans Helping Veterans

Episode Overview

In this episode of Tell Your Story, we sit down with Tich, a Vietnam veteran, long-serving advocate, and community leader connected with Plympton Glenelg RSL, the Repat Health Precinct, and veteran advocacy networks across South Australia.

From growing up in Broken Hill to serving in Vietnam as a medic, Tich shares his lived experience of service, transition, PTSD, and more than two decades of continued service to the veteran community through advocacy and peer support.

This conversation explores transition, entitlement, PTSD, community collaboration, and the evolution of veteran wellbeing services in South Australia — reinforcing a simple but powerful message:

“Veterans Helping Veterans.”

Listen to the conversation

About the organisations featured in this episode

Plympton Glenelg RSL (PGRSL)

The Plympton Glenelg RSL Sub-Branch plays an active role in supporting veterans beyond commemorative services. It provides connection, advocacy pathways, social engagement and access to support networks.

As Tich describes, RSLs are no longer just traditional meeting halls — they are modern community hubs where veterans and families can connect, seek guidance, and access practical assistance.

The Plympton Glenelg RSL continues to evolve to meet contemporary veteran needs while preserving tradition and camaraderie.

🌐 Website: https://www.pgrsl.org.au/

📄 Community activities and support: https://www.pgrsl.org.au/

Repat Health Precinct & Veteran Wellbeing Centre (SA Health)

The Repat Health Precinct in Daw Park has been revitalised to serve veterans and the broader South Australian community. At its heart is the Veteran Wellbeing Centre, designed to provide coordinated, veteran-focused support in a welcoming, accessible environment.

The Centre provides:

• Access to advocacy and claims support

• Health and wellbeing services

• Peer engagement programs

• Direct Assistance pathways

• Connection to Open Arms and other support services

  
  

As Tich reflects, the Repat site has historic significance — originally serving returning service personnel from earlier conflicts — and now continues that legacy through modern, collaborative service delivery.

🌐 Veteran Wellbeing Centre Services:https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/services/hospitals/repat+health+precinct/services+and+clinics/veteran+wellbeing+centre/veteran+wellbeing+centre+services

MASA (Military and Emergency Services Health Australia)

MASA (Military and Emergency Services Health Australia) provides clinical and mental health support to current and former service personnel and emergency service members.

Through partnerships and referrals, MASA contributes to a coordinated support system for veterans navigating PTSD, transition, and complex health needs.

Tich’s story reinforces how organisations like MASA form part of the broader ecosystem supporting veterans to live well after service.

🌐 Website: https://masai.org.au/

Key themes discussed

• Growing up in a military family and joining the Army at 17

• Serving as a medic in Vietnam

• Returning home and navigating civilian life

• Living with and managing PTSD

• The evolution of advocacy training for veterans

• The importance of free, ethical veteran advocacy

• Collaboration between RSL, DVA, Repat and community organisations

• Veterans helping veterans

Key takeaways

Key reflections and insights from this conversation include:

• Tich’s nickname originated from his childhood in Broken Hill and followed him throughout his service.

• He joined the Army at 17 and served in Vietnam as part of medical evacuation units.

• Transitioning from military to civilian life can be difficult and often lacks structure.

• PTSD is manageable — it is not a death sentence.

• Advocacy for veterans must remain free and ethical.

• The Repat Health Precinct plays a critical role in modern veteran wellbeing.

• Collaboration between organisations strengthens support systems.

• Community connection reduces isolation and encourages help-seeking.

• Training and education of veteran advocates ensures quality outcomes.

• Sharing stories helps reduce stigma and build awareness

Selected sound bites

Moments from the conversation that capture key themes and reflections:

“PTSD is not a death sentence.”

“Veterans Helping Veterans.”

“We want to hear these stories.”

“If you don’t use the services, you lose them.”

Episode chapters

This episode covers the following topics:

• 00:00 Introduction and background of Tich

• 02:56 Military service and experiences in Vietnam

• 06:02 Transitioning from military to civilian life

• 08:56 Advocacy and support for veterans

• 12:01 Veterans health and wellbeing programs

• 14:56 The role of the Repat Health Precinct

• 17:55 Collaboration and community support

• 20:54 Conclusion and future initiatives

About the Tell Your Story project

Tell Your Story is a Department of Veterans’ Affairs supported storytelling project amplifying lived experience across the veteran community through respectful, recorded conversations.

If this conversation raises difficult topics, support is available through services such as Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling (1800 011 046).