Running for a reason

Dedicated to community service 

Matt’s rural firefighting career began in the late 1990s. After a 16-year break to serve in the Australian Army as a Royal Australian Engineer (RAE), he returned to the Kureelpa Rural Fire Brigade following his transfer to the Inactive Army Reserves in 2022.  

“We respond to fire calls throughout the Sunshine Coast and South East Queensland area, and even deploy to Western Queensland. Some of our members went to the United States last year,” Matt shares. 

Rural firefighting isn’t just about putting out bushfires. It’s about prevention, education and hazard reduction alongside national parks and council. 

For Matt, the mission to keep his community safe mirrors the values he learned in the Defence Force. 

Matt (L) with members of the Kureelpa Rural Fire Brigade

“Veterans are often a good fit for emergency responders due to their military experience,” he says.  

“It provides a community for veterans similar to the camaraderie we had in the military, which can help with mental health issues and social connectedness. So, the benefit goes both ways.”  

Why Run Army matters 

With a clear connection between his time in the Army and his work as a first responder, Matt is a proud supporter of Run Army, an annual fun run presented by RSL Queensland to support Defence members, veterans, first responders and their families.  

“It’s a great event. I've run in the past several events in Brisbane,” he shares. 

Anyone can participate in Run Army to show support for our service and rescue community, with different distances on offer to either run or walk in Brisbane, Townsville or virtually. 

For veterans like Matt, it's also an opportunity to reunite with old units. 

"It’s a good chance to catch up with people I served with in the Army. My old unit 11 Squadron at 11 Engineer Regiment complete it as a stretcher carry as a team event.” 

Matt (R) at Run Army with members of the 11th Combat Engineer Squadron, of the 11th Engineer Regiment

“I asked to be involved but they said they already had a dummy to carry in the stretcher, and an extra dummy was not required,” he jokes. 

With Run Army 2026 hitting the pavement in Brisbane on Sunday 29 March, Matt is looking forward to getting back on the course again and raising funds for charity. 

“In the past, I have supported Legacy by fundraising for the event and our RSL community has been very supportive in providing donations,” he says. 

Mapleton: A community with heart 

Alongside his commitment as a rural firefighter, Matt is proud to serve as President of Mapleton RSL Sub Branch. When the Sub Branch needed a leader, Matt stepped up temporarily, or so he thought. 

“There was a gap in nominations for the job, so I agreed to stand in as temporary President until someone more suited and qualified could be found. Five years later, I’m still here.”

Mapleton, a rural town in the Sunshine Coast region, may be small, but according to Matt, it's a community full of spirit and camaraderie that supports the RSL and the veterans who call it home. 

“Although we are a small Sub Branch, the members are dedicated to ensuring its long-term presence in our community. 

Matt (L) with Vietnam veteran Denis Griggs at the 2025 Mapleton Vietnam Veterans' Day service

“We provide an avenue for social connectedness through our monthly meetings and morning teas, social events and services. 

“They are a great group of people to be involved with, and I have had many great experiences with them.” 

Matt is also Troop Commander of the Woombye Light Horse Historical Troop, which provides ceremonial support for the Mapleton ANZAC Day march and service and the Battle of Beersheba Day parade and service. 

“We generally have about 30 horses and riders involved, making it one of the biggest Beersheba memorial parades in Australia involving horses.”