Australian Catholic University and veteran charity Mates4Mates have united to make a difference in the lives of those affected by military service.
ACU was the first Australian university to establish a dedicated Veteran Entry Program (VEP) that enables current and former members of the ADF, and their families, to be granted a selection rank for entry to university based on their military training achievements.
And through Veteran Life Research partnerships and projects, the university leads an evidence-based exploration of the post-service experiences of Australian veterans.
ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis shared the importance of collaborating with an ex-service organisation like Mates4Mates to support veterans and their families.
"Australian Catholic University welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with an organisation that is aligned to a vision to enrich the lives of veterans and their families," Professor Skrbis said.
"This partnership will extend the reach of ACU's transformative student veteran pathways so that more members of the Defence community can unlock their enormous potential."
More than 11,000 veterans and their families have directly benefited from Mates4Mates services since its establishment in 2013.
With services including mental health support, physical rehabilitation services and social connection activities, the charity provides a way forward for those experiencing physical injuries, mental health impacts and social disconnection.
Mates4Mates Chief Executive Officer, Emma Whitehead highlighted the importance of working with educational organisations that support the defence community.
"It's important to us at Mates4Mates that we partner with organisations that share in our vision of an Australia where all members of the ADF community are supported physically, psychologically and socially," Emma said.
"Collaborating with ACU to share the impact of their programs and our services with the wider veteran community will allow us to continue providing a way forward for current and ex-serving Defence Force members."
