are on the front line
when they need it most
Who we support
The Commando Welfare Trust was established to support soldiers and families from the Australian Commando Regiments. This support also extends to other Special Forces Units from SOCOMD that work along-side and support Commandos in the field. Special forces soldiers are at the front line performing a dangerous and confronting job. In recent combat SOCOMD units have suffered more casualties than any other branch of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and many of those who returned, suffer mental and physical hardship related to their service. The Commando Welfare Trust was established to provide hardship support to these soldiers and their families.
How we help
Established in 2010, the Commando Welfare Trust seeks to provide the kind of support which falls outside the scope of existing Defence and non-Defence schemes such as DVA or Legacy. Initially, the focus was the payment of school fees for the children of Commandos killed in action overseas. The Trust now finds itself providing a greater variety of support to SOCOMD members and their families. This includes customised wheelchairs, computers, family reunion travel, medical expenses and increasingly, support for those experiencing mental health issues as a result of their service. We pride ourselves on our ability to act swiftly and provide help when it’s needed most.
Support those who serve us
Donations to the Commando Welfare Trust go toward helping those who have sacrificed so much, when they need it most. You can help by making a donation today.
Commando Trust Veterans Scholarship Program
Supporting the transition of special operations veterans to the civilian workforce.
The Commando Welfare Trust in partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia and Wandering Warriors are delighted to announce the launch of The Commando Trust Veterans Scholarship Program. The aim of the Program is to support the re-training of Australian Special Operations veterans as they transition into the civilian workforce.
The Program has been established with the generous support of Lockheed Martin Australia who have provided an endowment of $120,000 to be paid over 4 years. The funds will be allocated as six $5,000 scholarships each year. Scholarship recipients will be able to choose from a list of approved courses which will provide participants with desirable, transferable skills and capitalises on the strengths that Special Operations veterans already possess.
CWT Chairman Brigadier Mark Smethurst DSC AM (Ret’d) along with Lockheed Martin Australia Chief Executive Joe North, announced the initiative on March 19th at the CWT Black Tie Dinner. BRIG Smethurst said the program would “make a real impact in the lives of Australian Special Operations veterans and their families”. [read more]
IGADF Afghanistan Report
Support for Veterans and Famlies
With the release of the findings of the IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry being released, we encourage anyone feeling concern or anxiety to contact Open Arms at www.openarms.gov.au or one of the other support services outlined in this video from DVA. Sometimes just a simple phone call will make the difference.
The story of Corporal Tim Pereira
Tim Pereira is a young man who has paid a heavy price for doing his job.
When he came to, he realized he was paralysed from the neck down and was unable to breathe. He thought he was going to die …
How you can help
The CWT is aiming to raise $300,000 to reduce Tim’s mortgage to zero.
If you prefer, you can also donate via the Tim Pereira – Zero Mortgage Pledge GoFundMe page (fees apply)
What is SOCOMD?
The Special Forces of the Australian Defence Force are grouped under the Special Operations Command (SOCOMD). Due to their specialist skills and training, special forces soldiers are often at the front line as they conduct and or support special operations in places such as East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. The job they perform is dangerous and often confronting. The SOCOMD units covered by the Commando Welfare Trust include;
- Special Operations Command
- Defence Special Operations Training & Education Centre
- 1st Commando Regiment
- 2nd Commando Regiment
- Special Operations Engineer Regiment
- Australian Defence Force School Of Special Operations
- Australian Defence Force Parachuting School
- Special Operations Logistics Squadron
- 6th Aviation Regiment
- No 4 Squadron RAAF
The Commando Welfare Trust was established to provide hardship support to these special forces soldiers and their families.
Members of the Special Air Service Regiment are covered by the Special Air Service Resources Trust Fund.