Eat Well to stay active this Veterans’ Health Week
1 – 9 October 2022 is Veterans’ Health Week and this year’s theme is Eat Well. At Invictus Australia, we know that good nutrition is fundamental to staying active, connected and healthy with the right food powering focus & concentration, improved energy, muscle building and recovery.
With October also marking Mental Health Month, and October 10th slated as World Mental Health Day, there’s no better time for us to consider the powerful role sport plays in supporting the mental fitness of our military veterans and their families.
Whether it’s participating, volunteering, coaching, mentoring or spectating, being involved in your local sporting community is good for you!
To mark these October milestones, Invictus Australia is organising a host of activities throughout the month. We will continue to update this page as more events are added.
veterans health week activities 2022
Kicked off with Dragon Boating
The #VHW2022 activities kicked off early with a ‘Come & try Dragon Boating’ event on 17th September, supported with funding provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. We partnered with the Nowra WaterDragons to enjoy a morning on the water and finished with some healthy food and discussion around ‘eating well’. As with most of our events, no experience was necessary, and was suitable for all levels of fitness and family members are always welcome.
parkruns galore!
We once again join forces with our partners at parkrun to promote Team Veteran – a national walking and running group for the veteran community, families, friends and supporters. parkrun takes place at over 400 locations around Australia, every Saturday morning.
Hundreds of veterans and their families already participate in parkruns across Australia every weekend. This has led to the creation of the Team Veteran parkrun Group, which any veteran or family member can choose to join once they have registered with parkrun using this link.
Picnic at the new Jerrabomberra Mountain Reserve parkrun
Why not come and join us on Saturday 22nd October? Invictus Australia will be at the Jerrabomberra Mountain Reserve parkrun to welcome the Defence Community and supporters when they run, walk, or volunteer at this weekly event. At the end join us for healthy snacks and fruit and discussion around ‘eat well’ for Veterans Health Week. Click on the link to register https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/423098808927
Join Team Veteran
While Team Veteran began as a parkrun ‘running group’, it has grown to include any sport our Veterans enjoy. Joining Team Veteran is a great way to build connections, share experiences with family and friends, stay active and enjoy the outdoors – all of which are integral in supporting the mental & physical fitness of veterans. You can join the parkrun Team Veteran group, or simply buy your merch, get active and stay connected with Invictus Australia.
Check out some of the stories from Veterans around Australia, who are passionate parkrunners & Team Veteran members. Plus, you can also now purchase your very own Team Veteran running merch. You’ll look great, while raising much needed funds to support the work of Invictus Australia, while you’re staying active & connected.
Go behind the scenes – Tour the T
Now this is something you don’t get to do every day! HMAS Albatross, Nowra’s naval air station for the Royal Australian Navy’s aviation branch, welcomes all Veteran’s (serving and ex-serving) and their families to join them for their fun run on the airfield at the base. Choose from a 4km walk or an 8km run and you’re in with a chance to win a prize. Including healthy snacks and fruit and discussion around ‘eat well’ for Veterans Health Week.
Tour the T is taking place on Friday 14th October, and you can register here.
Discover Sailing in Jervis Bay
On Tuesday 11th October come and ‘Discover Sailing’ ! A joint initiative with Invictus Australia and the Jervis Bay Cruising Yacht Club for the Defence Community (serving, former serving and family members over 18 years), for those interested in giving sailing a go and as part of Veteran Health Week we will finish sharing some healthy food and discussion around ‘eat well’!
Register here.
Sailing offers a wonderful pathway for veterans who may be interested in exploring volunteering opportunities also, as seen in the video below.
Have a Row this VHW!
On Tuesday 11th October Invictus Australia are inviting the Defence Community to come and have a go at Indoor Rowing in Nowra! Try for the first time or revisit the sport with the help and guidance of Coach Jess. No experience necessary and we’ll be finishing with some healthy food and discussion around ‘eating well’ for Veterans Health Week!
Register here.
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