Veterans and their families represent less than 3% of the Australian population, yet experience significantly higher rates of physical and mental health challenges linked to military service. The 2021 Census identified 581,000 veterans nationwide, with nearly half of recently transitioned veterans meeting criteria for a 12-month mental health disorder. Beyond mental health, veterans face disproportionately ...
Gallipoli Medical Research
Bridging Service and Science: Veteran Engagement at GMR
GOAL
$15,000
Australia > National / Multi-state > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Health/wellbeing and medical research
- Individual/family services and support
Target Population
- People with a disability, illness or disease
- General population
Gallipoli Medical Research
Gallipoli Medical Research (GMR), founded in 2005, is an independent, not-for-profit research institute based in Brisbane, Queensland. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of veterans, their families, and the wider community through world-class research, translation, and implementation. Our vision is a future where all veterans and their families lead healthier, more connected lives.
GMR has achieved several world firsts, including groundbreaking PTSD research in Australian Vietnam veterans and the creation of innovative tools and programs that support transition and reintegration after service. We work closely with the veteran community whose lived experience guides our research, ensuring the programs and resources we develop are culturally relevant and meet real needs.
Our core research themes Healthy Veterans, Healthy Families, and Healthy Communities drive all we do. We are advancing mental health research, expanding clinical trials in cancer, liver, and respiratory diseases, and strengthening initiatives such as the Cancer Wellness Program, which provides holistic, evidence-based support for patients and families.
Project Summary
Veterans and their families represent less than 3% of the Australian population, yet experience significantly higher rates of physical and mental health challenges linked to military service. The 2021 Census identified 581,000 veterans nationwide, with nearly half of recently transitioned veterans meeting criteria for a 12-month mental health disorder. Beyond mental health, veterans face disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and osteoarthritis—up to two to three times higher than non-veterans.
Gallipoli Medical Research (GMR) is committed to understanding and addressing these complex needs. Central to this work is the Veteran Impact Group (VIG), established in 2023 to ensure research remains veteran-centred. The VIG brings together volunteers with lived experience who shape the design of GMR’s research, tools, programs, and services. This aligns with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which emphasised the importance of people with lived experience influencing research priorities.
While the VIG provides invaluable insight, the volunteer nature of the group limits capacity, continuity, and influence. To strengthen and sustain this model, GMR seeks funding to appoint a paid Veteran Engagement Coordinator. This role will act as the consistent public face of the VIG—building partnerships, engaging government and industry, supporting volunteers, and ensuring veterans’ perspectives are embedded across research initiatives. The coordinator will enhance, not replace, the vital contribution of VIG members by expanding reach, improving coordination, and translating lived experience into impactful programs.
Through this support, ACF can amplify veterans’ voices and help drive meaningful, lasting improvements in the Australian veteran community.
Project Outcomes
Engaging a dedicated Veteran Engagement Coordinator will significantly strengthen the Veteran Impact Group (VIG) and amplify veterans’ influence across GMR’s research and programs. The role will enhance engagement and retention by providing consistent coordination, encouraging active participation, reducing volunteer drop-off, and expanding representation across service eras, genders, and cultural backgrounds. With a coordinator actively recruiting and supporting members, the VIG will better reflect the full diversity of lived experiences within the veteran community.
The coordinator will also expand the reach and relevance of GMR’s programs. By embedding veterans directly in the co-design of research, tools, and services, projects will better align with lived experience, increasing participation rates and ensuring solutions are meaningful and practical. Peer-led involvement will strengthen trust, visibility, and advocacy, helping identify unmet needs and guiding research toward areas of greatest community impact.
Stronger stakeholder collaboration will also be achieved. A dedicated coordinator will help build and maintain partnerships with government, community organisations, and research institutions, resulting in a more cohesive approach to veteran health and wellbeing. Transparent engagement processes will further increase trust in GMR’s research among stakeholders and the broader community.
Evaluation Measures will track progress through:
• Participation, membership retention, and diversity metrics;
• Numbers of co-designed projects, program participation data, feedback on peer-led engagement, and advocacy activity;
• Analysis of unmet needs identified through consultations;
• Partnership activity and stakeholder confidence measured through agreements, surveys, and qualitative feedback.
Together, these outcomes will ensure veterans’ voices are embedded, influential, and driving meaningful change.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $18,296
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-kind support from GMR project manager for onboarding of role and participation in workshops, events and meetings (32hours in total) | $3,296 |
| Funding gap | $15,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Paid position for Veteran Engagement Coordinator (5hrs per week) | $12,480 |
| Coordinator expenses to run workshops and events | $2,520 |
| GMR In-kind expenses | $3,296 |
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