Ventia has deployed a community grant to assist a program supporting veterans recover from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through the healing power of fishing.  

Founded by keen angler and Afghan veteran Michael Hurren in Darwin in 2018, ‘Reeling Veterans’ leverages the therapeutic benefits of fishing with mates to assist veterans in their journey to mental wellness.

Ventia’s community grant helped a number of veterans attend a five-day fishing expedition in the Tiwi Islands, providing an immersive and peaceful experience for connection and healing.

Mike said he conceived of Reeling Veterans after seeing a number of his mates struggle with PTSD – some of them tragically taking their own lives.

Supporting military communities in Townsville

Michael said Reeling Veteran had assisted more than 5,000 veterans and serving frontline personnel of all genders and was establishing an operation in Townsville to support the military community there.

“We provide a safe haven where individuals can connect with peers who understand their struggles, in many cases a lifeline for those navigating the complexities of PTSD,” he said.

“The tranquil environment, coupled with the support of fellow veterans, fosters a sense of belonging and purpose.”

Providing financial grants like this is one of the many ways that Ventia lives our commitment to Veterans, Reservists and their families.

We have delivered essential services to the Australian Defence Force for more than 35 years, but it’s not just in our Defence business that we are employing and supporting Veterans. Within our workforce we are building a strong Defence community, welcoming the wealth of knowledge and experience Veterans bring to our business.

Our new three-year partnership with Invictus Australia will help us continue to bring people together and support Veterans through sport and in our communities.

Ventia’s 2025 Community Grants program opens for applications from 1 June – 31 July. The program offers grants up to $2,000 to help community groups make a positive difference.

For more information, visit our community grants page.