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Blue Mountains, NEW SOUTH WALES

Veterans do a bit for some of their own

Vietnam veterans in the Blue Mountains have started a volunteer lawn mowing service to assist other veterans and war widows/widowers within their community.

The service aims to help local veterans maintain their lawns, which is a real issue for older people who are able to remain living at home.

The Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces launched their mowing service in February this year after consultation with the local RSL, Legacy and the Vietnam Veterans' Counselling Service. It was identified that a service of this kind could benefit up to 150 local veterans.

With a grant, the group has been able to buy a ute, trailer and three lawn mowers, as well as protective equipment and all the extras. The project augments services that are available under Veterans' Home Care, such as routine lawn mowing.

The volunteers coordinate their operations through an office at the local neighbourhood centre, where bookings for the service are made by telephone.

Customers always make it quite clear that the service and friendship is appreciated. "They feel more looked after and like they're getting something back for serving their country."

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Member Greg Meek says the aim of setting up the service was to increase veterans' participation in the community and to help other people in need. "It's vets helping vets," Greg says.

A majority of the volunteer service's customers are either war widows/widowers or veterans affected by chronic illness.

The service costs about half as much as hiring a contractor and customers get the added bonus of being able to catch up with like-minded people.

Greg says the group's core of six volunteers just loves getting out and talking to the war widows/widowers and veterans. "They look forward to having a chat. We even get treats sometimes.... like rocky road or biscuits."

And for the men mowing the lawns, the experience helps them build fitness, confidence and self-esteem. "They get a kick out of it," he says.

Just being out of the house and around other men has a positive effect on the men's lives, Greg says. "All of them are better people as a result of volunteering and that flows on to their families and other friends."

He sees the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces volunteer mowing service continuing to grow as the group's name and reputation gets around. He hopes more veterans will come forward to volunteer their time and that the service and its benefits can be maintained well into the future.

Veterans helping Veterans

Project: a volunteer lawn mowing service run by veterans to assist others within the community.

Grant value: $35,932

Community benefits: volunteers build confidence and self esteem while veterans and war widows receive a vital service at a reduced cost.

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