“Ever since, I’ve just loved everything
to do with cars and engines.”
So, it was no surprise when he got a job as an
apprentice mechanic after leaving school.
He was three-quarters of the way through
his apprenticeship when work at the
garage began to slow dramatically.
When it slowed down to the shop working on just a
couple of cars each day, he found himself out of work.
“I had always had Army in the back of mind
since I was about six or seven years old, so
I thought ‘now’s the time’,” Ash said.
He joined in 2015, wanting to be a rifl eman and,
after Kapooka, was sent to Singleton for his Initial
Employment Training at the beginning of last year.
Unfortunately, that was where his back
objected to being an infantryman.
Ashley said he injured his back during a
battle PT session at Singleton and an incorrect
diagnosis led him to make it worse, aggravating
the bulging discs in his lower back.
He was initially sent to a physiotherapist
who prescribed a series of exercises
to help his “tight hip fl exors”.
The Mater Trauma Recovery Centre caters for military
personnel (current and ex-serving) or first responders
who have a diagnosed condition of PTSD.
eekk pr
ee
prog
ogra
og
ram
ra
m:
• 8 w
week
program:
2 days for 2 weeks,
4 days for 4 weeks,
2 days for 2 weeks (24 days)
• A partner’s program is included
Th program aims
The
i t to o i improve
mprove th
the qu
quality
alit
l ity of l life for participants
by addressing the following issues:
• Education about PTSD and related disorders
• Learning how to deal with painful thoughts and feelings
associated with mental trauma
• Learning to manage depression, anxiety, anger, alcohol
and drug-related problems, and sleeping difficulties
• Medication prescription, when indicated
• Developing ways to manage relationship difficulties
• Partners’ Support Groups
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
18 October - 7 December 2017
31 January 2017 - 22 March 2018
Referrals
R
efferr als
l f from:
rom: P Psychiatrists,
sych
GPs, VVCS,
self or if serving, through the Medical Officer.
These issues are addressed using individual and group therapy
approaches, as appropriate.
TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTRE | TOWNSVILLE
PROGRAM
VACANCIES
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Mater Trauma Recovery Centre - Townsville
@MaterTRC
#watchURmate
42 Diprose Street, Pimlico QLD 4812 | Phone: 07 4727 4187 | www.matertsv.org.au
SEPTEMBER 2017 | 21