Australians rise together for veterans through ZERO600

Words by Lucy Rawlings

This June, Australians across the country came together through early morning challenges, workplace initiatives and community events to support veteran wellbeing as part of the ZERO600 campaign.

Participants committed to rising at 6am for six consecutive days from 1–6 June, getting active and raising funds to support the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families.

The six mornings were chosen to reflect a confronting reality: on average, six Australian veterans die by suicide each month. It is a statistic tthat underscores the urgency of connection, belonging and early intervention in supporting veteran wellbeing.

ZERO600 is simple by design — get up, get active and get connected — but its purpose runs deeper. It reflects what we know works: that physical activity, meaningful social connection and a sense of belonging are critical protective factors for veteran mental health and recovery.

Research consistently shows that social connection and participation in physical activity can significantly improve mental health outcomes. For many veterans and family members, sport is a practical, accessible way to reconnect, rebuild and move forward.

What made ZERO600 particularly powerful this year was not just participation, but connection. Across Australia, people showed up early, moved together, and created shared moments that reflect the very foundations of Invictus Australia programs: community, camaraderie and purpose.

Corporate partners powering the challenge

This year’s campaign, powered by IPAR, Optus, Ventia and Boeing, was strengthened by the enthusiasm and creativity of organisations that rallied their employees, colleagues and communities in support of Australia’s veteran community.

IPAR brought colleagues, customers and ZERO600 Ambassador Rodney Cottam together for a spirited ZERO600 Pickleball Challenge, using friendly competition to encourage physical activity, connection and fundraising.

Pickleball might not be the first sport people associate with veteran wellbeing, but that is exactly the point. The value lies not in the activity itself, but in what it creates, connection, confidence and shared experience. When people move together, barriers come down and conversations begin, creating the conditions for belonging.

Ventia officially launched its ZERO600 campaign with a sunrise walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge on 1 June. Employees gathered before dawn at Milsons Point to walk together as the sun rose, symbolising the importance of crossing life’s difficult bridges side by side in support of veterans and their families.

Boeing engaged employees across multiple locations, with teams at both the Adelaide and Oakey bases getting behind the campaign. To recognise fundraising efforts, employees who raised more than $200 received exclusive ZERO600 merchandise packs, helping build momentum and encourage continued participation throughout the week.

Optus inspired widespread involvement across the organisation, with employees embracing the early starts and sharing their journeys throughout the campaign. Invictus Australia Ambassador and Optus employee Matt Formston helped lead by example, using his platform to encourage others to get involved and demonstrate the positive impact of movement and camaraderie. As a Paralympian, world champion athlete and leader, his story reflects resilience, discipline and the power of possibility through sport and connection.

The campaign also attracted support from the wider sporting community, with the Sydney Roosters lending their voice to raise awareness of ZERO600 and inspire more Australians to support veterans and their families. As part of the campaign, Roosters Academy players joined members of the Australian Army at Victoria Barracks for a military-inspired sunrise workout, demonstrating shared values of teamwork, discipline and connection.

Alongside the Partners powering the challenge, organisations like UNSW Canberra, Austability and the Commonwealth Bank Enable and Veteran Employee Network got behind the cause, rising at 6am to show their support for the defence community.

The veteran community leading from the front

While organisations and community groups played a significant role in this year’s campaign, the most powerful reminder of why ZERO600 exists came from veterans themselves.

Veterans continue to lead by example through their commitment to staying active, connected and engaged in their communities. Sport and recreation play an important role in this journey, helping many rebuild identity, restore confidence and strengthen the support networks that are essential to long-term wellbeing.

Veteran and longtime Invictus Australia supporter Peter Nisbet committed to walking or running 6km each morning of ZERO600, for the 6 veterans lost to suicide in Australia each month, a cause close to his heart. Team Limited Edition, led by Doug Griffiths and Sergeant Emily Lahey, rallied supporters throughout the campaign, bringing together their community while raising valuable funds for veteran wellbeing. Their efforts reflected the strength that comes from shared purpose and collective action.

Before the official challenge even began, ZERO600 Ambassador Rodney Cottam set the tone with an extraordinary 48-hour endurance challenge, demonstrating determination and resilience while encouraging others to take part. Rodney and the Run Rocket Run team then completed the ZERO600 challenge from the 1-6 June.

On the NSW South Coast, Team Veteran’s South Coast Indoor Rowing Group embraced the campaign together, with participants including Colin McCallum, who proudly represented Team Australia at the Invictus Germany Sports Festival. Their collective effort highlighted the power of staying active, supporting one another and building lasting connection through shared experience.

There’s still time to make a difference

Although the six-day challenge has concluded, it is not too late to support the efforts of everyone who took part.

Every donation helps Invictus Australia continue delivering evidence-informed programs that support the physical, social and mental wellbeing of veterans and their families. Through opportunities to move, connect and belong, participants build relationships and support networks that can have a lasting impact well beyond any single event.

If you would like to recognise the dedication of this year’s participants and help continue their impact, you can still make a donation today. Together, we can ensure more veterans and families have access to the community, connection and support they need to thrive.

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