MAJOR ELIZABETH DALY

Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Competitor

ADF service: I was a bit of a later starter and didn’t join the Army until I was 25. I first enlisted as a Reservist Soldier in the Royal Australian Army Military Police. I then applied to transfer to full-time and commenced my training at the Royal Military College Duntroon in July 2012. Upon graduation I commissioned into the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, where I’ve had a great time working in a myriad of roles including health planning for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief, health specialist recruiter, writing the COVID-19 training packages for all of ADF during the pandemic, instructor at the ADF Peace Operations Training Centre and, my most recent and favourite role to date, Officer Commanding at the Health Specialist Wing at the ADF School of Health. I have deployed twice; Operation Accordion in the UAE in 2016/2017 and Operation Paladin in Israel for all of 2023.

Other information: I am a fur mum to 2 incredibly cute working dogs who choose to work from home: Alfie the blue dog and Stumpy the Kelpie cross Tasmanian Devil.

Age: 39

Hometown: Newcastle, NSW

Current town: Wodonga, VIC

Competing in: Indoor rowing, skeleton, swimming, and wheelchair rugby.

What is the nature of your injury or illness? I was deployed to Israel in 2023 as a United Nations (UN) military observer in the Golan Heights. During the start of the Israel-Hamas War, I was locked into an Observation Post between Israel and Syria for 24 days straight with 2 other UN military observers. During this period we were unarmed and experienced a number of significant incidents. Upon my return to Australia in January 2024 I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I also unknowingly re-tore my previously repaired ACL graft during this period. Due to not having treatment, other parts of my knee suffered damage as well as osteoarthritis occurring, which I am now working through to regain my strength and movement.

Sport background: Sport has always been my happy place. I grew up on the beach doing a lot of surf club and always being outdoors with my brothers. I was a gymnast for 8 years and then competed in a variety of different sports, up to national level for some, throughout high school and uni. I even made a job of it prior to joining the ADF by studying a Bachelor of Management in Sport and Exercise and working in the sports event industry. I have represented the Army in rugby union and downhill ski racing.

What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Sport is something that has always been my consistent way to feel good; no matter how hard a day, if my mood is not the best or during the times my illness has really darkened my mind, sport has helped take me back to my comfort zone and give me a purpose. On some of my worst days I’ve achieved PBs – don’t ask me how, it just happens!

How did you feel when you were told you made the Invictus Games team? To be honest it was quite a mixture of feelings. The selection camp really ignited a fire in my belly. I actually started to see glimpses of my old self at times, and I felt right at home being a part of a team. But there were so many other amazing individuals trialling that I didn’t want to take away from their opportunity to find a purpose through sport, too. Overall, I am honoured, excited and feel so driven towards working hard to make the team and my supporters proud.

What is your greatest achievement to date? It may seem silly, but I think my biggest achievement was asking for help this year from my mates. I am usually someone who is very much a people person and will go out of my way to help my mates and often put myself second. I wasn’t in a good way when I got home and I don’t think I would’ve got through it if I hadn’t had the courage to firstly put my hand up and admit I was struggling, and then continue to ask for more help when I had some of those harder moments.

Why did you apply for Invictus Games? Sport has always been my happy place, as well as the universal way of making friends. I applied as I needed to find some purpose and needed to find a tribe of people who were going through something similar. Both the camaraderie offered through the team and the ability to work towards shared and individual goals is what made it so appealing.

What will ‘winning’ look like for you at the Games? I’ve already won by being selected! I guess the next best thing will be to make it down the skeleton track without falling off while also rocking the Ned Flanders style lycra suit.

Who is supporting you at the Games? My 2 best friends, Lisa and Ellen. These girls have been my biggest supporters, cheerleaders, listeners and just all-round legends. No matter the time of day or night, they always answer the phone and help me get through how I’m feeling. Lisa met me upon my arrival home and really helped me during my first week back. They’ve seen me at my absolute lowest and really helped me get through some dark times. Even if Lisa does go for Queensland, she is still a legend!