Media Release

In advance of Remembrance Day tomorrow, KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and State Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth have thrown their support behind the inaugural Yungaburra Triathlon in support of Soldier On, with Mr Knuth set to battle it out in the swim leg in a triathlon team with Mr Katter’s office.

Ahead of Remembrance Day tomorrow and the Yungaburra Triathlon on 22 November, Mr Katter and Mr Knuth have jointly called upon all Australians to “dig deep” and support Soldier On, a not-for-profit organisation set up to assist Australian service men and women who have been wounded, physically or psychologically, in contemporary conflicts.

Soldier On CEO John Bale today released figures in the media citing 103 self-caused deaths of returned soldiers since 2001, nearly three times the total number of soldiers killed in combat in Afghanistan. Soldier On is funded by generous Australians where every dollar donated to the charity goes towards programs to help wounded returning soldiers.

Mr Katter today said that “news that there have been 103 unnecessary deaths of soldiers returning from combat since 2001 is horrific and the primary organisation set up to deal with this is Soldier On.

“The soldiers in the First World War were granted Soldier Settlement blocks and in fact a lot of Australia was developed under the Soldier’s Settlement blocks scheme. John McEwen, later Deputy Prime Minister and one of the most powerful person in post WW1 era, got his start in life from the Soldier’s Settlement block scheme. In addition, returning soldiers were given free education and were lauded as heroes.

“There are few families who can withstand the emotional impact of their returning hero, who may have been away for 6 to 12 months and who may return with deep physical or emotional scars. We need to dig deep to support these returning heroes”, Mr Katter said.

Mr Knuth supported Mr Katter’s calls. “This is a great initiative, supporting the soldiers who are transitioning from the defence force back to everyday life. Sometimes our soldiers who have been battle scarred can be forgotten.

“I take great pride in our national service men and women. Whatever we can do to help them after their careers in the defence force have ended, to still recognise their hard work, achievements and contribution, we must strive to do.” Mr Knuth said.

On Saturday 22 November 2014 the inaugural Yungaburra Triathlon will be held on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland to raise funds for Soldier On.

Mr Katter today joked that “he had heard a rumour that a famous Olympic qualifying long jumper and ex A-grade representative rugby league player could be coming out of retirement. There is a lot of interest in who that might be. There may be a challenge laid down to every one above 50.”

Mr Katter said he himself “regularly did 6 laps of his pool”. When questioned by media, Mr Katter refused to disclose the length of his pool.

Mr Knuth later announced that he would be doing the swim leg as part of a team in the Yungaburra Triathlon on Saturday, 22 November 2014 – with all money raised going to Soldier On.

Donations for Soldier On can be made at: https://soldieron.giveeasy.org/campaigns/yungaburra-tri/

Photo: Bob Katter with John Bale, CEO of Soldier On.