Veterans Care Association

What Veterans Care Association does

Veterans Care Association Inc. (VCA) is an Australian nonprofit organization founded in 2016 and headquartered in Kelvin Grove, Queensland, that delivers veteran-led peer-support wellbeing programs to Australian Defence Force veterans, current serving members, and their families. Its flagship offering, the Timor Awakening program, is a 9-12 day residential holistic health and wellbeing experience combining peer mentoring, group therapy, physical activity, historical commemoration, and community development, delivered at St George's Defence Holiday Suites on the Gold Coast, at the Veterans Transition Centre in Jarrahdale (Western Australia, since June 2025), and in Timor-Leste (Dili, Same, Pro-Ema, Baucau). By mid-2026 the organization has delivered 39 Timor Awakening program cohorts and reached over 1,000 veterans and family members since inception, with ~150 participants in 2024 alone.

VCA operates as a community-led organization with a small paid staff of approximately 11 employees, supplemented by a volunteer management committee and an alumni peer-mentor pool (16 TA alumni staffed TA38 Mentor Training). It is not a technology company and has no proprietary software platform; its primary assets are the curated program curriculum, the lived-experience facilitator base, and the in-country infrastructure (notably the VETS Friendship School in Same serving ~150 students daily). The business model is a donation-and-grant-funded nonprofit: revenue is sourced from individual donations (PayPal, Raisely), government grants (DVA, ADF), foundation grants (Bowden Marsden Foundation: $50,000), major individual donors (Craig Thrupp: $73,855.24), strategic partners (SPAHS, RSL Queensland, Bolton Clark), and a nominal membership fee of $25 for five years. Go-to-market is entirely community-led via peer referral, alumni testimonials, newsletters, organic social media, and DVA/ADF/ESO forums — no paid advertising is used. Programs are free to participants. The organization is registered as a charity with the ACNC (ABN 97 213 464 172) and is led by Founder/The Veterans' Padre Gary Stone OAM (47+ years infantry officer and chaplain) and President Michael Stone (former infantry officer and Timor Awakening founder).

Name

Veterans Care Association

Legal name

Veterans Care Association Inc.

Website

https://veteranscare.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Veterans Care Association is an Australian nonprofit, founded in 2016, that delivers the veteran-led Timor Awakening peer-support wellbeing program to ADF veterans, current serving members, and families across Queensland, Western Australia, and Timor-Leste, funded through donations and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Caregiver Support, Coaching & Training (HLADALAG)

Keywords

• Veteran support services
• Peer-led wellbeing programs
• Veteran mental health
• Suicide prevention services
• Holistic health education

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane (Kelvin Grove)

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: VCA relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and the veteran community to fund its programs. Donations are actively solicited through its website, newsletters, and dedicated fundraising pages (PayPal and Raisely). The organization is a registered charity with tax-deductible donation status (ABN 97 213 464 172).
2. Government Grants and Funding: VCA pursues grants from DVA (Department of Veterans' Affairs), the ADF, and other government bodies. RSL Queensland has provided ongoing partnership and funding support since 2016. The Bowden Marsden Foundation provided $50,000 for social justice projects in Timor-Leste. VCA continues to advocate for sustainable government funding to support program expansion.
3. Membership Fees: Ordinary Membership is priced at $25 for five years. Membership provides voting rights and a voice in organizational governance. This is a minor revenue stream relative to donations and grants, primarily serving as a community engagement mechanism.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Veterans Care Association is an Australian nonprofit that delivers veteran-led, holistic health and wellbeing education primarily through its flagship Timor Awakening program - a 9-12 day residential peer-to-peer program combining holistic health education, group therapy, mentoring, physical activity, historical commemoration, and community development. Programs are delivered at venues in Australia (Gold Coast and Western Australia) and in Timor-Leste. Complementary offerings include the VETS Friendship School in Timor-Leste, peer mentor training, and support services connecting veterans to healthcare providers.

Product overview

Veterans Care Association operates as a veteran-led support organization offering a suite of interconnected programs centered around the flagship Timor Awakening program. The organization provides immersive peer-to-peer wellbeing programs combining holistic health education, group therapy, mentoring, and community development, delivered both internationally in Timor-Leste and domestically across Australia (Gold Coast and Western Australia). Complementary offerings include the VETs Friendship School in Timor-Leste for educational support, peer mentor development training, and direct support services connecting veterans to healthcare providers. Membership is available for $25 for five years. The programs share a common framework of veteran-led, lived-experience peer support focused on preventing veteran suicide and promoting holistic wellbeing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Timor Awakening: An immersive peer-to-peer wellbeing program for veterans, combining holistic health education, self-awareness, group therapy, mentoring, counselling, physical activity, historical commemoration, and community development.

Products and services

• Timor Awakening Immersive peer-to-peer wellbeing program for veterans combining holistic health education, self-awareness, group therapy, mentoring, counselling, physical activity, historical commemoration, and community development. Programs are delivered in Timor-Leste (Dili, Same, Pro-Ema, Baucau) and on the Gold Coast, Australia, with 9-12 day residential cohorts of 16-30 participants each. Free for participants.
• VETs Friendship School (Veterans Education Training Scheme - Timor-Leste) Educational initiative located in Same, Timor-Leste, providing English language education, boarding facilities, nutrition, practical skills, and leadership training for approximately 150 Timorese students daily. Includes new infrastructure (bore, rainwater harvesting, water storage, ablutions, kitchen equipment).
• Australian Wellbeing Programs (Domestic) Domestic veteran wellbeing programs delivered in Australia, including Gold Coast retreats at St George's Defence Suites and Western Australia programs at the Veterans Transition Centre, Jarrahdale. Adapted from the Timor Awakening framework for domestic delivery.
• VCA Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 veterans and family members have been positively impacted since 2016, with many previously suicidal participants becoming mentors and community leaders.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship / core, core and supporting.

• Service Personnel Anglican Help Society (SPAHS)flagship / coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020SPAHS owns and operates St George's Defence Holiday Suites in Coolangatta, providing accommodation and program spaces for VCA's Gold Coast Timor Awakening programs. Since coming to VCA's aid in 2020, SPAHS has provided both accommodation and funding. SPAHS confirmed at its AGM in June 2026 its commitment to continue support through 2027 and 2028. SPAHS is the sole remaining sponsor for VCA's Gold Coast programs. Over 320 participants have benefited from programs at this venue, and SPAHS chairperson is Jenny Walker.
• Timor-Leste Veterans Council (CCLN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Timor-Leste Veterans Council (CCLN), led by President Vidal 'Riak Leman' de Jesus, is a key partner in VCA's Timor-Leste programs. The council facilitates veteran engagement, commemorations, and community connections during Timor Awakening programs. The council was instrumental in VCA's humanitarian aid response following the natural disaster in April 2024.
• Jorge Alves / Timor-Leste Resistance Museum and ArchivesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJorge Alves is a co-founder of Timor Awakening and serves as Director of the Timor-Leste Resistance Museum and Archive. He has been a long-time friend and supporter of VCA's programs, facilitating cultural and historical elements of Timor Awakening.
• Australian Embassy DilicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Australian Embassy in Dili collaborates with VCA on ANZAC Day commemorations and the 20 September Peacekeeping anniversary in Timor-Leste. Embassy staff participated in the TA31 dawn service. DVA also attended programs in September 2024 and is seeking VCA's support to increase commemoration and historical tourism in Timor-Leste.
• ADF Cooperation Program (DCP) Timor-LestesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ADF Cooperation Program in Timor-Leste works with VCA on commemorative events and provides in-country support during Timor Awakening programs. The program enhances the connection between current ADF operations and VCA's veteran wellness mission.
• Pro Ema (Timor-Leste)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro Ema is a partner organization in Timor-Leste providing emergency accommodation support for students facing hardship and housing insecurity. VCA delivered a $2,000 donation to Pro Ema for construction of new training kitchens and supports the organization through the VETS project.
• AHHA Education (Timor-Leste)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAHHA Education is a partner organization providing education support in the Manu-Fahi district of Timor-Leste. VCA delivered a $6,489 donation to AHHA providing two additional high-protein meals per week for 180 students and teachers in AHHA schools for six months.
• SABEH Medical Outreach (Timor-Leste)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSABEH (saudebaemahotu.org) is a medical outreach organization in Timor-Leste that VCA has established relationships with for social impact and humanitarian projects.
• Palms AustraliasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPalms Australia facilitates long-term volunteering missions in Timor-Leste. VCA refers interested participants and alumni to Palms Australia for one-to-three-year volunteering opportunities, creating a pathway for VCA mentors to continue service in Timor-Leste.
• Veterans Transition Centre (VTC) JarrahdalecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Veterans Transition Centre in Jarrahdale, Western Australia, hosted VCA's first domestic pilot program (TA33) in June 2025. This partnership marks VCA's expansion into Western Australia, with plans for two WA programs in 2026.
• Timor Plaza HotelsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTimor Plaza Hotel is used as an accommodation venue during Timor Awakening programs in Dili, Timor-Leste. VCA's partner logo appears on the VCA partners page.
• Bolton ClarksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBolton Clark is Australia's largest independent not-for-profit aged care provider and has been a sponsor of VCA for 10 years. The partnership has enabled wellbeing outcomes for Australian and New Zealand veterans, including older veterans whose health was affected by service. Shared values underpin the ongoing relationship.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Emerging players

• Invictus Australia: Australian offshoot of the Invictus Games foundation using sport and community to support veteran recovery. Comparable in using non-clinical pathways (sport, community, peer connection) to address veteran mental health, serving an overlapping ADF cohort.
• Australian Veterans' Alliance: Coalition of Australian veteran ESOs providing coordinated advocacy and support services. Comparable as a peer-and-partner ecosystem for veteran welfare advocacy, aligning with VCA's government engagement and DVA policy work.
• The Oasis Centre: Veteran wellbeing centre in Western Australia offering holistic programs to veterans and first responders. Direct overlap with VCA's veteran wellbeing mission and a natural partner/peer for VCA's WA expansion via VTC Jarrahdale.
• PTSD Coach Australia: Australian veteran mental health app and support service developed with Phoenix Australia. Comparable as a complementary veteran mental health resource, though digital rather than residential — useful as a referral partner for VCA participants.

Broad incumbents

• Legacy Australia: Long-established Australian veterans' welfare organisation supporting families of veterans. Comparable as a legacy nonprofit operating in veteran welfare, with broader advocacy and beneficiary services than VCA's program-focused model.
• RSL Australia: Australia's peak veteran ex-service organisation, providing advocacy, welfare and wellbeing support to veterans and families. Comparable as a large, established veteran support ecosystem — and is also a current VCA partner (RSL Queensland) and potential funder.

Others

• Phoenix Australia: Australia's national centre of excellence in PTSD and veteran mental health. Adjacent peer that sets clinical standards and could be a research/credentialing partner for VCA's evidence-based Timor Awakening program.

Direct peers

• Mates4Mates: Australian veteran support organisation providing psychological, physical and social wellbeing services to veterans and families. Direct peer delivering complementary non-clinical wellbeing programs funded largely by government and corporate partners.
• Soldier On: Australian nonprofit delivering holistic rehabilitation and wellbeing programs for veterans and families. Comparable peer operating peer-led wellbeing, recovery and employment programs for the same ADF/veteran cohort, with a national footprint and government funding access.
• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: Australian Government-funded veteran and family mental health service. Most direct peer to VCA: both serve Australian veterans and families experiencing PTSD, suicidal ideation and transition challenges, though Open Arms delivers clinical counselling while VCA delivers peer-led holistic programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/veterans-care-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/timor_awakening

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Veterans Care Association