Timor Awakening
Timor Awakening is inspired by the resilience of World War II Commandos and the courageous Timorese veterans. This program focuses on nurturing the mind, body, and soul to assist veterans and their partners in finding a renewed purpose and inner peace along with developing a personal health and wellbeing plan.
Upon completion of the program, selected veterans and partners may go on to train as peer support mentors for the veteran community.
Veterans Care Association delivers Timor Awakening through either an 11-day immersive experience in Timor or a nine-day holistic health program on the Gold Coast.
“Timor is a peaceful country, with veterans and civilians that have suffered unimaginable atrocities, hardship, trauma and oppression; but they have healed and are moving forward. We want our veterans to experience the same healing and rehabilitation, to move forward and be part of the next chapters.” – Michael Stone, Timor Awakening Program Director.
Timor Awakening welcomes ex-serving personnel and their partners. You don't need to have served in Timor; however, Timor veterans have reported experiencing a greater positive impact.
“It has had an enduring effect on me. You realise just how insignificant your problems are . . . if we look at what other people have dealt with and are now happy and smiling, it does have an effect on you.” – Wayne Douglas, veteran and Timor Awakening participant.