Heston Russell: Going All In For Australia’s Veterans

Heston Russell joins Robbie Turner on Axons Unleashed ahead of Veteran Games Season 4 to talk about the mission behind the event, the challenges of building it from the ground up, and why purpose, community and identity matter so much after service. In this episode, Heston shares how Veteran Games was born from the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran suicide, why the “broken veteran” narrative needs to change, and how the Games are helping veterans reconnect, compete, lead and be seen for what they are still capable of. Robbie and Heston also discuss the evolution of Veteran Games, the Gold Coast event, plans to take the concept around Australia and overseas, the role of veteran-owned businesses, and why the broader community has a part to play in backing those who have served. If you are serving, ex-serving, a Defence family member, veteran-owned business, or someone who wants to support the veteran community, this is a conversation worth watching.