“ I don ’ t see it as work , because I promised myself I wouldn ’ t work for a living , it ’ s more something I love doing and something I can do instinctively ,” he said . “ And it ’ s a pleasure to be able to help .” The third circle is about giving back to the community , especially the Defence community . And it is in this circle he is treading very carefully . Townsville is the largest community of veterans in Australia and it ’ s not easy to bring them together in a coherent way , but loosely , that is what he would like to achieve . “ I have no specific ambition , other then to have an effect ... to reduce suicide , reduce suffering from PTSD , reduce domestic violence , and to help soldiers who have retired , have a great life after the Army ,” John said . He has made some progress towards establishing a “ Defence Services Hub ”, which would be an important , but not exclusive part of a wholistic one-stop service point for veterans and ex-service personnel , a service he believes could be very successful with support from all the various ex-service organisations . He has joined the Rotary Club of Townsville , is the Patron of Townsville Legacy and Patron of the 1RAR Association and is on a number of other forums in support of veterans ’ health and wellbeing . There are other projects , and possibilities , but , for now John Caligari , citizen of Townsville is keeping a relatively low profile where he feels he is most effective , bringing the right people together when he can , and using his Defence contacts to help achieve best outcomes for veterans , especially those based in the North .
Outgoing CO 1RAR LTCOL John Caligari welcomes the new CO 1RAR LTCOL Stuart Smith in 2001
Left - Former Australian Army offi cers from 1RAR , LTGEN John Caligari ( ret ) and LTCOL Barry Caligari ( ret ) at the unit memorial during the 70th birthday event at Lavarack Barracks in October 2015
LTGEN ( ret ) John and Narelle Caligari
FEBRUARY 2017 | 41