Last week, Mt Stromlo Forest Park came alive as current serving ADF personnel and veterans came together for the ADF National Cycling Carnival. Alongside Duncan’s Plumbing, MM Kembla was proud to support Invictus Australia’s Operation Endurance, bringing veterans and serving members together through mountain biking, mate ship in creating new connections or giving old mates a reason to catch up through a shared love of sport (and in this case, a bit of grit).
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide highlighted the alarming importance of maintaining strong connections for veterans after leaving Defence, particularly with peers who understand their experiences. Transitioning out of the Defence Force can mean leaving behind the people and community that have been part of your life for years, sometimes decades. Losing those connections can contribute to isolation and make the transition to civilian life more difficult.
Invictus Australia works to connect current and former serving personnel and their families with sporting communities across Australia, using sport as a way to build purpose and social support in meaningful connection, confidence and wellbeing. Helping rebuild these connections by bringing veterans and current serving members together through sport, creating opportunities to share experiences, support one another and remain connected to the Defense community. Event organiser Tone Watson elaborates:
“What today is about is integrating our veterans and ex-serving members back into the ADF to take part in the ADF National Cycling Carnival. It’s really about reuniting those peers with current serving members, sharing our experiences of getting out, helping those who are looking to transition, and giving them that sense of purpose.
After 30 years in the military, you lose your peers, you lose that purpose that is such a big part of military life, and you lose that identity. A lot of that identity is driven by the soldiers you serve with. Bringing the soldiers back together, providing that support and really integrating us back in with the Defence Force.”
Operation Endurance built on a successful pilot program held during the 2025 ADF National Cycling Carnival where a single day, small group of veterans joined current serving ADF members to compete in a cross-country cycling event, expanding to a two-day event, with 26 competitors and participants in 2026, including gravity enduro downhill riding and road cycling, with around 100 current ADF members also attending in coaches, sponsors, family and friends.
Duncan’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Con, as major sponsors of the event, noted the importance of supporting the people who have served for Australia and helping to create an opportunity for veterans to reconnect with the community. Jason Duncan capturing the attitude perfectly:
“We are very stoked and grateful to be supporting this incredible event and to have Kembla onboard. Seeing all the ADF and veterans flying down the tracks. It’s just been amazing seeing the camaraderie between everyone here.”
Kembla was lucky enough to spend some time on the trails with the crew. Current serving ADF members and good mates Pearce and Soups summed up what riding and the event brings to participants through shared stories and experiences:
“Riding is a good way to network and share a passion. You get to hear different stories, share different experiences and meet people you’d never think you’d meet.“
For Willy, who joined the Army as an apprentice mechanic before spending more than 20 years as a physical training officer and later becoming a commissioned Captain, the importance of connection was just as clear.
“The biggest thing is to rely on each other. Don’t bottle things up. There is so much help out there.”
For Joel, a former Navy member who was medically discharged, the opportunity to ride alongside current serving members provided an important connection.
“Serving members and veterans conversations hold stories and often similar experiences. It really means a lot to me, days like this.”
Whether riders were experienced competitors or simply getting back on a bike, the trails provided a relaxed environment for veterans and serving members to get together, have a laugh, yarn and share a few stories. And, of course, there was plenty of friendly competition.
Established in 1916, Kembla has deep Australian roots and a long history nestled amongst our communities. Supporting the ADF community through an event built around mate ship, resilience, grit and “getting stuck in” is something we were proud to be part of. We believe good things happen when people get together, back each other and have a crack. Operation Endurance did exactly that.
Get Behind the Cause
Invictus Australia is a leading not-for-profit organisation connecting current and former serving personnel and their families with sporting communities across Australia.
Sport can play an important role in supporting physical and mental wellbeing, including helping veterans manage challenges such as PTSD, anxiety and depression. Invictus Australia has identified that sport can support 34 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s 122 recommendations. Invictus Australia therefore uses sport to support recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration, while helping veterans rebuild connection, confidence and a sense of belonging.
Find out more and see how you can get involved. We’ll see you there next year.
