Delivering national expansion
New faces as Invictus Australia delivers expertise, energy and sporting opportunities in local communities
Invictus Australia is spreading the healing power of sport across more local veteran communities after welcoming a host of additional staff with an impressive cross-section of skills.
Made possible thanks to funding from the Department of Veteran Affairs, Invictus Australia has created seven new roles across Australia and recruited from a range of veteran community backgrounds.
“We are excited to be expanding our team across the country, thanks to support received from the Commonwealth Government,” CEO Michael Hartung said.
“These new members of our team are from the Defence and veteran community, who will use their lived experience to support other members of the community utilise sport for their health and wellbeing.
“In supporting both the Invictus Games and local community sport participation, we are offering all members of the Defence and veteran community opportunities to access sport. The evidence is clear, that no matter how you engage, sport and the communities that come together through these activities are powerful for rehabilitation and proactively living a long and healthy life.”
Meet the new team members:
Toni Cumpston – Director, Community Participation and Impact
Toni has been a sports administrator in Australia and New Zealand for more than 20 years with high performance experience as an athlete, coach, high performance director and sport administrator.
Toni has former and current-serving family and understands the many challenges that defence personnel can face during their service along with their transition back into civilian life.
She will oversee the team of Veteran Engagement Managers around the country to drive relationships with National Sporting Organisations and other partners, to deliver more on-the-ground opportunities in the sport space.
Justine Lugg – Veteran Engagement Specialist (South-East Queensland)
An Army wife for more than 12 years, Justine’s previous experience includes supporting the Queensland Defence community as the Toowoomba Defence Families Centre Coordinator.
While she’s already been with Invictus Australia for over a year, Justine is moving back to Toowoomba to increase the organisation’s presence in the area. Activities on the radar include a Family Bowls Day with Bowls Australia, parkruns and lots more!
Jye Martyn – Regional Manager, Veteran Engagement (Northern NSW)
Jye spent almost 12 years in the Royal Australian Air Force before being discharged with a serious back injury which required surgery in 2019. He then began volunteering for several ex-service organisations.
Being unable to participate in sport while injured underlined its importance to Jye, who had doubted whether he’d ever play again. He now enjoys golf, hits the gym and coaches junior football.
Jye recently coordinated a Defence Day at Singleton, scoped a True Grit opportunity, hosted a team of Veterans at a behind-the-scenes sailing experience with Invictus Australia Ambassador and United States SailGP Team CEO and Driver James ‘Jimmy’ Spithill, is organising a Family Bowls Day with Bowls Australian and convinced Williamtown Gold Club to open membership to veterans.
Abbie Quinn – Veteran Engagement Coordinator (NSW South Coast)
A Navy defence spouse with a background as a paramedic, mum-of-one Abbie is passionate about fitness, mental health and has run exercise classes at the Shoalhaven Defence Families Association.
She has thrown herself into work at Invictus Australia, holding yoga sessions at Nowra with the backing of Kookaburra Retreat Coordinator SDFA, RSL Lifecare and Defence Health, running Barefoot Bowls events and enjoying local parkruns with Team Veteran.
Abbie is also studying a Master of Social Work.
Vanessa Broughill – Regional Manager, Veteran Engagement (South Australia)
Vanessa had a distinguished defence career, joining the Australian Army in 2005 before transferring to the Navy in 2009 and the Navy Reserves in 2019. She medically discharged in 2022.
During her recovery, Vanessa represented Australia at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 and The Hague 2020. These were life-changing experiences which inspired her to join Invictus Australia.
Vanessa is implementing the first-ever Invictus Games Foundation Endeavour Program to take place in Australia – a True Grit event later this year. Vanessa will also work with the UniSA Invictus Pathways Program on activities to support veterans, and activate our national sporting partnerships in her local community.
Steve Gilmour, Veteran Engagement Manager (Victoria)
After serving in the British Army for 23 years predominantly with the Royal Tank Regiment, Stephen emigrated to Australia in 2008.
Starting initially as a volunteer prior to the Invictus Games Sydney in 2017, Stephen was later employed in the role of External Relations Coordinator for the remainder of the Games.
On completion of the Games, he was employed as the Program and Events Officer with RSL Active in Victoria, delivering activities and events for the veteran and current serving community.
Whilst in this role, he was appointed manager of the RSL Active wheelchair AFL team, where he guided the team to a bronze medal in 2019 and the Grand Final runners up in 2022.
Having been a keen sportsman all his life, Stephen has witnessed the impact sport and recreation provides for physical and mental wellbeing.
Adam Pine – Director, Teams, Pathways and Alumni
A former elite swimmer who competed internationally and set national records, Adam has since become a hugely respected high-performance leader.
As the founder and former chair of the Physical Activity Foundation, Adam is a passionate advocate for the transformative abilities of exercise and sport.
Adam’s role will include supporting international teams at the Invictus Games as well as managing the pathways for those who miss selection for Team Australia and other international Adaptive Sport events.
Big things to come!
The team looks forward to spreading the spirit of Invictus and engaging with more within the veteran community across the country.
Invictus Australia is still on the hunt for a Veteran Engagement Manager in Western Australia as it strives to embed its footprint around the country. If you or someone you know may fit the bill, please get in touch – support@invictusaustralia.org.au.
To meet our full team of staff and ambassadors click here.
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