Support and empathy help guide Navy veteran back on the right course

Joining the Australian Defence Force at 15 years old, Navy veteran Michael Thomas had an exciting career spanning pirate patrolling, convoying and sailing through typhoons. He even had the honour of escorting Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the South Pacific for the 1982 Commonwealth Games. 

“It was exhilarating – I loved being in the Navy,” Michael recalls with a smile. 

Navy veteran Michael Thomas

His seven and a half years of service also took him along the east coast of Australia, New Zealand and southeast Asia aboard several ships including HMAS Vendetta (II), HMAS Kimbla and HMAS Torrens (DE 53).  

But when the then 23-year-old was discharged in 1983, Michael found it difficult to adjust to civilian life. 

“I got out to be with my girlfriend,” he says. “I wanted to get married and have children; start a life together. 

“But there was no transition out at all. I had to find my own way. 

“I then became angry with the world. I’d get drunk, run amuck and get locked up for being disorderly. I had an attitude and wasn’t able to stay in the same job for more than two years at a time.  

“Eventually, things kept getting worse, so I left. But to this day I’ve still got a good relationship with my ex and all my children and grandchildren – it just took me a long time.” 

A journey of support and trust 

In early 2024, Michael was still in a bad place and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) recommended that he seek homelessness support services from RSL Queensland. From the moment he walked through the doors of RSL Queensland’s Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre Brisbane, things began to look up. 

“I walked upstairs to reception, and then Allan came out. I’m so glad he did,” Michael recalls.  

Allan Simmons is a Wellbeing Practitioner Level 2 at the Centre who supports veterans and their families through a holistic approach to veteran-centred care and wellbeing. 

“My role is to understand how my clients view the world, and why they may do things, and then address the support available to their specific situation,” Allan explains.  

“It's more about hearing their story and providing them with information they can access if they wanted to.” 

Michael and RSL Queensland Wellbeing Practitioner Allan Simmons

Allan first assisted Michael with emergency financial support and then introduced him to Compensation Advocate Natalie Millward. Once Allan had built that rapport with Michael, it opened the door for Allan and Michael to discuss Michael’s mental health and general wellbeing. 

Michael says that Allan’s support over the last year has been instrumental.  

“Allan talks sense, he’s compassionate and he understands me. He listens, suggests things, and if I don’t take them up straight away, he’ll suggest them later and we’ll talk about them,” he says.  

“If I've got a problem, I'll come and talk to him. He'll recognise when I'm stressed and cranky and he won't push.” 

Allan explains that his role is to stand alongside Michael through his journey – not force any solution or idea onto him.  

“I view Michael as the expert in his life. He’s survived it, he’s lived his life, he knows what he’ll be receptive to and what he won’t be. My role is to walk side by side with him and listen, at whatever pace he needs,” he says. 

As a Wellbeing Practitioner, Allan stands alongside veterans while helping them access support

When Allan recommended that Michael visit a psychiatrist at a nearby clinic, it took a few visits for Michael to feel comfortable with the process.  

“When I first went in there, I didn’t know the psychiatrist, didn’t trust him, didn’t understand him or his questions,” Michael recalls. “I just felt out of place.” 

He went straight back to Allan for guidance. 

“I sat with Michael for almost an hour and suggested not giving up on the process but maybe look into it when he feels more comfortable and ready,” Allan says. 

“I said ‘let’s work out what went wrong and work out ways to be more prepared next time’. Natalie and I then suggested he write down some questions he had for the psychiatrist so he could understand him more.” 

After a few attempts, Michael was not only able to successfully receive support from his psychiatrist but also become a shoulder to lean on for others in the clinic. 

“He’s got a gentle soul that allowed people to just gravitate to him,” Allan says. “He would work with and listen to everyone who came up and spoke to him.” 

“It was good to talk to others there,” Michael adds. “It even helped me hearing about other people’s problems as it put my problems into perspective.”  

A brighter future 

Looking back over the last year, Michael says the whole process allowed him to find the right path again. 

“It’s like I’ve been at the top of a mountain, and I’m walking down slowly with the help of a medical team, the psychiatrist, Allan and Natalie,” he says.  

“To know I’ve got people like Allan and Natalie in my corner to fall back on besides my family is terrific. Sometimes Allan understands me even better than my family. 

“But while it’s been easier to get through this with the support of a team, you’ve also got to put in the work yourself to be able to get anything out of it.” 

Michael advises veterans who might be in a similar situation to reach out to the Centre at their own pace. 

“Just walk in the door and have the first conversation – you don’t have to do any more than that. Then think about it, write down your questions if you have any and make contact again. Do that as many times as you need,” he begins. 

“It may be confusing or uncomfortable at first but give yourself the time to understand the information they give or the support they offer. And be honest about your situation – they’re there to help. 

“As long as you go in there willing to listen and find out what’s available, that’s all you can do.” 

Allan adds, “I’m proud of what Michael’s achieved and the future he’s hopefully going to have. And I’m proud that we can relate part of it back to him walking through the doors of RSL Queensland’s Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre Brisbane.”