Mick joined the Australian Defence Force in 2015 after 25 and a half years in the British Army. He served across field units, training establishments, and spent significant time attached to amphibious task groups with the Navy aboard HMAS Adelaide. But after 10 years, his time in the ADF came to an abrupt end, not on his own terms. A medical discharge after the best part of 35 and a half years in uniform across two armies meant confronting a reality he hadn’t chosen and wasn’t ready for.
“It doesn’t matter what anyone says, you are never going to be accepted in civilian street as a civilian. You don’t accept it. I didn’t.”
For Mick, like so many veterans, the hardest part wasn’t the injury or the illness. It was that gut-punch moment of realising: your career is over, so what do you do now?
Take the first step by contacting our dedicated team of experts, who stand ready to simplify the process, advocate for your rights, and provide the holistic support you need for a brighter future.
Mick had heard the stories. DVA was slow, adversarial, full of dead ends and bureaucratic walls. For someone dealing with significant mental health challenges at the time, the prospect of navigating that system alone was genuinely daunting. He expected a long, exhausting battle.
Then a friend recommended VetComp, and everything changed.
“VetComp supported me literally from the first minute I spoke to them on the phone. He said ‘Yep, no worries. Leave it with us.’ And within a matter of a week or so, all my paperwork I needed to have was there.”
VetComp coordinated every medical appointment required by DVA, kept Mick informed at every step, and handled the entire process with transparency. There were no surprises, no hidden complications, just clear and consistent advocacy. Mick got the best possible outcome: compensation and ongoing DVA support, medical and financial, for his future.
For VetComp, the work didn’t stop when the claim was settled. When Mick had questions after the process was complete, they were still there. It wasn’t transactional. It was a relationship.
“They don’t sit there, do what they say, take your money and go away. They continue as a partnership between the veteran that they’ve dealt with and the company.”
That partnership has only deepened over time. VetComp came on board to support Spartans Rugby Club, the veteran charity Mick co-founded to give back to those transitioning out of service, through financial support and promotion of the club’s work.
“We now consider them part of our family, and we’re part of theirs. Using VetComp has literally changed my life.”
Mick co-founded Spartans Rugby Club with a simple goal: give back to veterans, whether they left service in good shape or struggled like he did. The club now runs coaching, refereeing and sports training programs open to any veteran or serving member looking to transition. VetComp has been a proud supporter of Spartans Rugby for several years, and the two organisations consider each other family.
Visit the Spartans Rugby Club website to learn more.
Take the first step by contacting our dedicated team of experts, who stand ready to simplify the process, advocate for your rights, and provide the holistic support you need for a brighter future.
All Hours Support – 1800 628 036
Defence Family Helpline – 1800 624 608
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Help Line – 1800 737 732
