Gary Stone

The Veterans Padre & President

Gary Stone is an Australian Army Veteran of over 47 years service as an infantry officer and Chaplain. He served on operations in Malaysia, Fiji, Iran, Bougainville, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands. Gary is an expert in cultural preparedness and character development preparing thousands of soldiers deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq, PNG and Timor-Leste. Gary is founder and President of Veterans Care Association and is focussed on providing veterans and their families holistic care, empowering them for a positive life.

Michael Stone

Director Timor Awakening Program

Michael is a former Australian Army Infantry officer who served extensively in Timor-Leste from 1999 to 2011. Michael worked intimately with the Timorese military and President Jose Ramos-Horta in a variety of unique roles. He is a fluent speaker of the Timorese language. Michael founded Timor Awakening in 2016 and has created a number of initiatives including the Australian Veterans Scholarship Timor-Leste and Riak Retreat. Michael is passionate about supporting veterans, education for the poor and contributing to peace in our region.

Michael Albrecht

Life Coach

Michael is a former Australian Army soldier of 13 years, serving on operations in The Solomon Islands, East Timor and twice in Afghanistan. After separating from the full-time army in 2015, Michael followed his ambition for being a life coach and serving other military members. He is currently employed part-time as a life coach by Veterans Care Association (VCA) and remains active in the Army Reserve. Michael’s vision as your coach is to be somebody in your corner, who sees aspects of your life better than you currently see them and can enable you to see the path in getting there as soon as possible.

Wayne Robson

Treasurer

Jack (Wayne) Robson CPA MREIQ has served over 20 years in Australian Army Reserves as an officer, and 30 years, experience as a senior manager and executive in the public and private sectors. Currently, he is a self-employed residential real estate agent operating as an independent contractor within the Poulsen Property Group and members of CPA Australia, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Real Estate Institute of Queensland and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Law. Wayne joined the VCA management committee in February 2017 specialising in due diligence, good governance, and fundraising.

Col Ahern

Secretary

Our secretary Col Ahern served over 30 years in the Army as well as working in government. Col is a great man of faith, is always encouraging others, and is a wise counsel on our way ahead. Col has been a committed volunteer at VCA and participated as a veteran on TA3, saying ``possibly the best experience of my life``.

Geoffrey Fry

VCA Committee Member

``When I heard Gary speak about the desperate plight of many returned veterans and their families that I found myself spurred into action. His plan seemed so simple and yet it wasn’t happening through the mainstream veterans services. The veterans need a holistic approach to their care. A system that looks at them as a whole, not just the sum of individual broken parts. I offered my skills in banking and finance and was made Treasurer. From that point a key management group got together and we’ve moved forward together working to support Gary and his mission to support Veterans, their Families and their Carers.``

Simon Wilson

Behavioural Specialist & VCA Volunteer

Simon is a behavioural specialist currently working with teachers and schools to help them support students who are suffering trauma and improve teaching standards. Simon was the first modern history high school teacher in Queensland to implement studies of East Timor into the curriculum. Travelling to Timor in 2005 had a profound impact on him. He continues to be a supporter and advocate for the people. Simon is inspired by the resilience of the Timorese in overcoming a tragic history through reconciliation and forgiveness and believes that Australia owes a huge debt for their great sacrifice in supporting the Sparrow Force Commandos in 1942. Simon is very proud and honoured to be supporting Veterans to make positive life choices.

Rowena Langan

VCA Client Support Officer (Admin Services)

Rowena Langan is a former CISCON for 9 years with the Royal Australian Air Force on domestic postings throughout Australia. Since leaving the ADF she has worked as a certified Remedial Massage Therapist, which gives her a good understanding and insight into how the wellbeing and health of an individual is and can be impacted by injury and illness. She has a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Masters of International Public Health and she believes that encouraging a holistic health outcome for all individuals goes hand in hand with the public health principles of “preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting human health”.

Candice Carroll

Client Support Officer (Psychological Services)

Candice is a former Royal Australian Navy Communications Information Systems Sailor of 9 years. Since leaving the Navy she has completed her certificate IV in Personal Training, she is currently studying Psychology to further her knowledge and understanding in mental health. Since being apart of VCA she has a deeper understanding and passion for holistic health as it looks beyond the physical body and addresses physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual wellness as it gives us a systematic way of addressing our health for the future.

Michael Robson

VCA Treasurer

Rhys Broadfoot

VCA Volunteer

Rhys is a former Australian Army Paratrooper and Combat Medic. In 1999 Rhys deployed Timor-Leste with Op Spitfire, Interfet and later as a UN peacekeeper. After leaving the military Rhys obtained his bachelors’ degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology, worked for QLD Health in a variety of positions. Rhys now volunteers for Veterans Care Association (VCA) supporting the Riak Retreat project. Rhys has done extensive networking in support of Rotary and Lions Australia to transport medical and education equipment for the Riak Retreat school in Same and Balibo dental clinic. Rhys has a passion for helping Australian and Timor veterans along with those less fortunate than himself.