SAS to survivalist – Rick Petersen finds solace in nature

“The natural environment is my place of calm – my recalibration point,” the Alone Australia contestant and RSL Queensland member says. “It can calm my mind and slow my thoughts down; it balances me out.” 

This call to nature bubbled into fruition when Rick was just a child. Growing up in the foster system, Rick would often escape into the wilderness when he needed space.  

“I had a pretty disrupted childhood and left school early at the age of 14,” he says. “I then went to work at a native plant nursery. 

“Just that process of getting my hands in the soil, putting seeds in and watching them grow...” he smiles, “...even going back to them now, 50 years later, and seeing some grow into massive eucalyptus trees is something special. It’s like being able to see the synergy between you and nature growing together.” 

Life in the Army 

A few years later, when work began to slow down at the nursery, Rick was inspired by a soldier who gave a presentation on life in the Army at his local Commonwealth Employment Services.  

“He said a few things that resonated with me about having a life of purpose,” Rick says. 

“And I think my disrupted childhood probably drove me to want to be around good quality men, and that idea of being able to join the military seemed like something that would be beneficial for me. 

“After his presentation, he wandered over and asked if joining the Army was something I was interested in. I remember saying that I didn’t think I had the grades, to which he replied, ‘Well you won’t know until you actually apply; you might just have what we’re looking for’.” 

To Rick’s surprise, his application was successful, and he joined the Army in 1982. A few years later, he was selected to serve with the elite Australian Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment in 1986. 

“I think there was an element of determination in me to prove people wrong when I joined the Army,” Rick says. “But when I heard about the SAS Regiment, I thought this could be a real turning point where I get to prove to myself and others that I can take on something tougher than what I had been doing.”

Rick spent much of his time in Air Operations, honing his skills in military demolitions, communications, climbing and other specialist skills. During this time, he also discovered his passion for survival skills. Towards the end of his career, Rick played a significant role in the training of SAS operators before discharging in 1994.  

Life after the SAS 

Almost immediately after, he proposed to his wife before they decided to move back to the Northern Territory, where she grew up. Rick says this move greatly helped during his transition from the Defence Force. 

“Our decision was to start a life up in the Northern Territory. That worked out perfectly because part of my plan to reintegrate into the civilian world was very much about being able to get back into nature,” he says.  

“I found it incredibly grounding; it worked out well for me.” 

Most of his time in the Northern Territory was spent in the bush leading tours and expeditions for tourists through Kakadu and Arnhem Land. It was also during this time that he developed a deeper interest in Indigenous culture and ethnobotany – the study of native plants and their traditional uses.  

Three years later, Rick found himself drawn to re-enlist in the military, this time in the Reserves. 

“I served an additional eight years with two of Australia’s Regional Force Surveillance Units (RSFUs): NORFORCE and the Pilbara Regiment,” he says. 

“I got to work with a lot of Indigenous men that came from all the different areas of country up there. It was a real privilege to be in and amongst their culture and understand their culture on a deeper level.” 

After serving in the military and gaining knowledge of bush, country and survival skills, Rick says passing his skills onto his children and others became a natural process.

“I already spent a fair bit of time out bush with my two young boys, unknowingly sharing the skills I had learnt. For example, if we ever went camping, I would always be rubbing sticks together instead of pulling out the gas lighter to light the fire,” he says. 

“Then some of their friends would come over for sleepovers and I’d take everyone out on bushwalks, pointing out snakes and bits and pieces – just enjoying our time exploring together. 

“Then those kids would tell their parents, who would come up to me later and say they were interested in learning some things from me, too. 

“It seemed like an organic process where I got to be out in nature and share the respect I have for it, but at the same time pass on valuable skills and allow that bonding process between parents and children to come about – giving them that platform and location to talk about the things that matter.” 

Walking the talk on Alone Australia 

In 2023, Rick was selected to be on season two of SBS’s survivalist television series Alone Australia, where 10 contestants were challenged to survive in the New Zealand wilderness for their chance to win $250,000.  

To win the prize money, the contestants are dropped off in separate areas with 10 items of their choice and must deal with the forces of nature, hunger and loneliness to be the last one standing.  

“A friend of mine recommended I apply, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to walk the talk if I was selected,” he says.  

“I was extremely thankful that this opportunity presented itself. And I would’ve been forever regretful had I not thrown my hat in the ring.  

“Out of 9,500 applications, I managed to be one of the 10 that were selected. It was a real privilege to be chosen.”  

Teaching the next generation 

Rick continues to share his passion for the natural world by hosting a variety of workshops and events for adults and families that specialise in bushcraft, survival and self-defence in the South East Queensland region.  

“While I teach the functional, fundamental skills of bushcraft and survival, my programs are really about opening up that opportunity for people to connect with each other and take on new challenges,” he explains. 

“I feel like I’m now at a point in my life where I’m stepping into this eldership role – sharing the experiences and skills I’ve picked up over my life and throughout my time in the military, in the hopes to inspire and encourage others to push themselves that bit harder.” 

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