Wrapping up this year’s Invictus Australia ZERO600 challenge
With Invictus Australia’s ZERO600 challenge finished for the third time, let’s look back on the week that was. Our community rose at 6am from the 1st – 6th of June, getting out the door and getting active to raise awareness and funds for our work to strengthen veteran and families wellbeing through sport.
This year, we welcomed the support of many organisations, familiar faces and partners, with people all across the country conquering their chilly, dark mornings, creating empowering routines and setting themselves up for success.
Rocket and Wolfman show their support
Once again, it was great to have our ZERO600 ambassadors Rodney ‘Rocket’ Cottam and Dave ‘Wolfman’ Williams sign up for the challenge. Both ambassadors understand the feeling of giving up something you love, whether that be the military or sport, due to injury and have been participants and ambassadors for this challenge from its early days. This year both ambassadors signed up a team, encouraging their networks to get behind the scenes.
Receiving support from our Premier Partners.
All of our Premier Partners are proud supporters of the Defence community, with many servicing and employing veterans and family members. Because of this, the organisations got behind the challenge, embracing the early mornings at all levels.
IPAR connected with our Local Engagement Managers around the country for 6am morning walks. It was a great way for the organisation to stay connected while supporting our work – and a great excuse for a morning coffee! Our newest Premier Partner, Ventia, embraced the challenge, creating teams all over the country. Thanks to their commitment to supporting veterans and families through sport, they are currently sitting at the top of our team leaderboard. NEC Australia, another Premier Partner, set up a team in their WA branch – it was great to see the organisation spread awareness and funds for this challenge!
Sporting Spirit Unites
This year, ZERO600 saw incredible support from the sporting community, with many of our sporting partners and groups getting behind the challenge. True Grit, Bowls Australia, Rowing Australia, The Australian Institute of Personal Trainers. and Athletes for Hope Australia all participated, raising awareness and encouraging healthy habits within their staff. Athletes for Hope were motivated to put into perspective some of the unique experiences of the Defence community, holding a lunch and learn session with Jye Martyn, one of our Veteran Engagement Managers. Jye spoke to the team about his challenges that lead to his eventual discharge from the Defence Force, and how he used sport to get him out of a dark place, and maintain his overall wellbeing.
Optus shows their support
It was also great to have the support of organisations such as Optus, who held a ZERO600 activation in Sydney during the challenge. Over 600 Optus employees were inspired by a powerful panel discussion featuring ZERO600 Ambassador and veteran Rodney Cottam, who shared his journey of resilience following a serious injury, Matt Formston, Invictus Australia Ambassador, vision-impaired athlete and Optus employee who shared his sporting journey and CEO Michael Hartung, who explained how ZERO600 supports Invictus Australia’s work to unleash the power of sport for the Defence community.
We were grateful to have the support of the entire Optus Team, including Gladys Berejiklian, MD Enterprise and Business, who hosted the panel. Gladys has been a champion of the Invictus movement since her involvement in the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 which she described as a “golden experience [where] competitors came together from 18 different nations but le[ft] as one special team of heroes and role models.”
Optus’ support extended beyond the panel. Their commitment to the Invictus Unconquered spirit was exemplified by their employee network for Veterans and Emergency Services, United, who is actively raising funds for this year’s ZERO600 fundraiser. To model being active and connected and the strong focus on people and culture, eight Optus teams took to the basketball courts for some friendly competition, with the support of our friends at What Ability.
This incredible display of support to the veteran community wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of Emma Perkins, a Navy veteran herself, who spearheaded this initiative at Optus and has been a tremendous advocate for Invictus Australia.
A Senator Joins the Challenge
We were honored to have Senator David Pocock join Team Zero2Hero for a bike ride on the first day of the challenge. Organised by Veteran Engagement Manager Debbie, the team rode 66km around Canberra and the opportunity was a great chance to connect with others in the Defence community while supporting the challenge. Thank you to David Pocock for your attendance, and to the entire Zero2Hero team for supporting this amazing event!
Reaping the benefits of the sunrise
A common theme we noticed among the ZERO600 community was the rewarding sunrise. Despite the early mornings, the views participants shared made kicking off the doona and embracing the cold well worth it. Plus, the benefits of seeing the early morning sun were felt around all that participated.
Donations for the 2024 ZERO600 challenge remain open until the end of June. The funds raised will go towards Invictus Australia’s programs, which utilise the power of sport to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of veterans and their families. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who participated, donated, or spread awareness. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of Australian veterans and families.
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About Invictus Australia: Invictus Australia is the NFP responsible for organising the Invictus Games Sydney 2018. We carry on the legacy of the Games every day in local communities, as all veterans and their families can benefit from involvement with sporting communities, particularly ‘at risk’ veterans. As well as promoting the physical, social and emotional benefits of sport, Invictus Australia shines a light on the unique needs of younger veterans and the challenges they face as they transition from military to civilian life. Find out more at www.invictusaustralia.org
Looking to get involved in sport in your region? Connect with our staff through your regions Facebook group or email support@invictusaustralia.org
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