Brewing up a helpful sche

TWO defence veterans have started an initiative to help former army, navy and air force personnel return to society post separation.

Army veteran Stewart Locke and RAAF veteran Ian Rawson began Australian Warfighters Coffee last November after experiencing their own difficulties in leaving the Australian Defence Force.

Former 3RAR Infantry Corporal Stewart Locke was discharged in 2014 after serving for almost 12 years.

“There’s a shortfall between Diggers getting discharged and fitting back into society,” Mr Locke said. “When I got out of the army I moved to Airlie Beach. I was isolated and it was terrible.”

Australian Warfighters Coffee believes the social beverage coffee can play a key role in connecting veterans back with the community.

“I’ve found that coffee can be a good talking point,” Mr Locke said.

“When you meet with your friends you sit there, sip on coffee and chat.”

Australian Warfighters Coffee funds barista training for veterans through the sales of their coffee at a stall inside Annandale Shopping Centre.

“We’d seen that the coffee industry was massive and there was a chance to make money out of it to be able to put it back into veterans,” Mr Locke said.

The movement aims to eventually finance coffee vans for veterans to run.

“If he or she’s working with a van, they get to meet new people every day and interact socially,” Mr Locke said.

He believes the initiative is a step in the right direction in connecting isolated veterans back with society.

“It makes them feel a part of the community again; that brotherhood we had in the army,” Mr Locke said.

Australian Warfighters Coffee’s purpose is to support veterans gain independence and a sense of purpose again after serving.

“We’re trying to help the veterans think for themselves so they don’t get stuck into thinking they’re alone and can’t do anything or they’re not qualified for anything,” Mr Locke said.

Australian Warfight put two veterans throug ing in Townsville.

“It’s starting to pick now and we’re hoping m on board with it,” Mr Lo

Townsville was the id the project to kick off in.

“One of the main re did it here is the fact tha the largest garrison tow Mr Locke said.

Australian Warfight collaboration with Sco will open their first cof Annandale Shopping next month.

“We’re hoping to hav coffee shop run by a v capital city in the next Locke said.

Australian Warfighte influenced by the welllian Warfighters Facebo aims to support current, ture defence personnel i

“We think the name o ed for what we’re trying the branding of it a lot o late to,” Mr Locke said.