The feature story appearing in Living Expressions publication Vol 2: issue 2 on purpose is from the Thoroughbred & Veteran Welfare Alliance. How medically discharged Australian Defence personnel have found their confidence, hope and purpose through learning to work with ex-racehorses with professional horseman and mentor Scott Brodie.
Thoroughbred & Veteran equine program
From 2015, I have had the privilege to be part of an equine program with other military veterans. We had all gone through trauma. We had all lost our confidence. We were all struggling. After meeting with horse trainer and mentor Scott Brodie, on a beautiful private property of Barranca in Kangaroo Valley, learning how to train ex-racehorses, we started to believe we can make it.
Helene & Greg, owners of Barranca, gave us the opportunity of a lifetime. Scott taught us everything he knew and gave us hope. They all gave from their heart and expected nothing in return. They are the heroes of today.
Watch Channel 10 short film that was shot in 2020 on location at Barranca with Scott Brodie & Mel Baker talking about how the equine program has helped many people…
RECENTLY PUBLISHED – Conflict to Hope
We served our country with honour. We wore our uniforms with pride. WE loved our jobs in the navy, army or airforce, they were our family until the day we were disregarded. The Thoroughbred has been in Australia since 1788. Racing was a role they became familiar with until they were disregarded. Neither fighting machine or racing machine could carry on with their career.
Under the expertise of horse trainer and mentor, Scott Brodie, the military veteran and ex-racehorse met for the first time. They discovered through their trauma, pain and struggles that they could have a future and indeed help one another from conflict to hope.
This is our story of how the TVWA began towards thoroughbreds helping veterans helping thoroughbreds.
Purchase your copy today. All money raised goes towards helping the Thoroughbred & Veteran Welfare Alliance (TVWA).
Paperback: https://au.blurb.com/b/10584570-conflict-to-hope
eBook: https://au.blurb.com/ebooks/pd8fad2c4bd0ea439b974
Apple iBooks: https://books.apple.com/au/book/conflict-to-hope/id1552986914
The Healing documentary – coming in 2021
A fresh start
I sometimes I find myself in deep despair. Triggers haunt my mind like lions coming after their prey. Internal childhood symbolism flares my empty heart. Negative words eat away my soul. At this point, it really depends on our state of mind in how we react.
A couple of weeks ago, I reacted quite differently to any other time. I choose to feel my emotions and not push them away. I choose to name what I was feeling and work out what was driving them. I choose to listen to life music, not music that would make my mood worse. I choose to look up and beyond myself. In doing so, at that right moment these words came into my mind and filled my spirit with the exact words I needed to believe.
Free yourself from the things that drag you down. Find yourself in the wholeness and goodness of living. It is not the end, it is the beginning.
9pm, 29 May 2020
Perhaps there are others who need to read these words too.
Mel
