Veterans’ Chaplaincy Pilot Program

Learn more about the Veterans’ Chaplaincy Pilot Program, where it will operate and who is involved.

What is the Veterans’ Chaplaincy Pilot Program?

The Veterans’ Chaplaincy Pilot Program (VCPP) offers chaplaincy support to transitioning members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), veterans and their families in three pilot locations of Townsville, Perth and Brisbane. The VCPP provides another option to support those who need it most.

The objectives of the VCPP are to:

• facilitate access to spiritual health support and other DVA support programs;
• provide pastoral care, mentoring and education through transition and into civilian life;
• provide pastoral care and spiritual health support during crisis, high intensity or acute events, in particular supporting adjustment, grief, and recovery; and
• develop, upskill and support community-based faith leaders to deliver this support to veterans and their families.

In the 2024–25 Budget, the Government committed to extend the pilot program for a further 12 months to 30 June 2025. 

Program context

Chaplains have long been a feature of the Australian military. Chaplains play an important role in providing spiritual, religious, and pastoral support to serving ADF personnel and their families, regardless of their religious beliefs. Many who have served in the ADF will have, at one time or another, sought the support of a chaplain.

Evidence before the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has highlighted the important role that ADF Chaplains can play in suicide prevention and care. This pilot will extend that support with a focus on veterans and families undergoing complex or challenging transitions from ADF service.

The VCPP aims to connect transitioning ADF members, veterans and their families with chaplains working in the program. By doing this, the effective and familiar support ADF personnel receive through ADF Chaplains can also be offered through transition and into post-service life.

Civilian religious organisations are not generally able to replicate the service provided by ADF Chaplains, as they are less familiar with the experience of veterans and families and the context of military life. As a result, once someone has transitioned from the ADF, they lose access to this very specific service they once received.

Most ADF personnel transition readily into the Australian community after their ADF service with little need for support. However, for some, transition is a difficult and stressful time. The VCPP aims to assist those who need chaplaincy support as part of their transition.

The VCPP also aims to enhance wrap-around support services within the civilian community for veterans and their families. This includes upskilling community-based faith group leaders on veterans’ issues through the provision of training and support, particularly in mental health and suicide prevention. 

Program locations

The VCPP is trialling support in regions with significant ADF and veteran populations.

The VCPP is being offered to veterans and families in Perth, Brisbane and Townsville.

Who are the Veterans' Chaplains?

VCPP Veterans’ Chaplains are current or former ADF Chaplains. 

Perth

Chaplain Cornelis Bosch is the Veterans’ Chaplain based in Perth, Western Australia.

Chaplain Bosch started his military life in the Netherlands as a soldier in 1987 and completed National Service in 1988. During this time, he experienced the need to find a listening ear from a military chaplain to navigate difficult challenges. This experience became instrumental in his decision, much later in life, to join the ADF as a Defence Chaplain.

Chaplain Bosch then joined the Navy in 2012, where he was posted to HMAS Moreton in Brisbane, spending much of his time visiting ADF members and their families in hospitals and clinics. Since then, he has served around Australia and completed sea deployments in the Middle East and South East Asia.

Chaplain Bosch has faced his own challenges during his military career, experience which has given him a greater ability to connect with people facing a range of difficulties. 

Chaplain Bosch is working from HMAS Stirling and the Perth Veterans’ and Families’ Hub and can support veterans and family members in both city and regional locations around Perth.

Brisbane

Chaplain Stan Fetting has been appointed as the Veterans’ Chaplain in Brisbane. 

Chaplain Fetting entered the Navy as a chaplain in Darwin 1999, before becoming an Army Chaplain in 2003. Chaplain Fetting has provided chaplaincy across a number of units, areas and domestic operations, primarily working in the Army Reserve. He has extensive experience in suicide prevention, mental health care, moral injury and working with members who are transitioning out of the ADF.

Chaplain Fetting is also a qualified fitness professional, with experience in using physical activity as a pathway for mental and spiritual wellbeing.

Chaplain Fetting works closely with Open Arms and particularly with the Lived Experience Peers. He works with the Soldier Recovery Centre on Gallipoli Barracks, the Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Caboolture and the RSL Queensland Veteran and Family Wellbeing Centre in Stafford.

Townsville

Chaplain Louis Clun has been appointed as a Veterans’ Chaplain in Townsville. 

Formerly from Victoria and Tasmania, Chaplain Clun has been an Army Chaplain in Townsville since 2013.  He has had several Townsville postings including the 5th Aviation Regiment and the 4th Health Battalion (4 HB).  Chaplain Clun is continuing to work with 4 HB during his time as a Veterans’ Chaplain. 

Chaplain Clun is also working closely with DVA’s Veteran Support Officers, Open Arms and with ex-service organisations, including The Oasis Townsville Veterans’ and Families’ Hub.  Additionally, Chaplain Clun can work from Townsville bases, providing support for ADF members and their families. 

Who is eligible for assistance?

All transitioning members of the ADF as well as veterans and their families.

Please note: the VCPP is a pilot program and is currently only operating in Perth, Brisbane and Townsville. 

Training for faith leaders

The VCPP is developing training resources for community faith group leaders. The resources will include an emphasis on suicide prevention program, the nature of ADF service and supports, transition process and supports available for veterans and families.

What support will be available for faith leaders to support veterans?

The VCPP is developing a range of support resources to help community based faith leaders provide appropriate support for veterans and families including:

• how to conduct a military funeral
• how to conduct a memorial service
• how to conduct an Anzac Day or Remembrance Day service
• how to access suicide prevention support
• how to connect veterans and families to appropriate support
• how to lead veteran or family small group sessions.

Forums

To support the work outlined above, the program is offering a series of forums: Supporting an Effective Faith Community for Veterans and Families. The first two forums were held on 14 May and 31 May 2024. 

Forum 1, 14 May 2024. Topics included: the context of the VCPP, the unique needs of veterans and their families, supports available to faith group leaders, veterans and veteran families; and a family’s experience of chaplaincy support.  

The recording for this forum is available here: Supporting an Effective Faith Community for Veterans’ and Families’ Forum – 14 May 2024   

Forum 2, 31 May 2024. Topics included: understanding the unique pressures on ADF members, veterans and families; how faith leaders can support ADF members, veterans and families; practical ways in which faith communities can help; and a family’s experience of chaplaincy support. 

The recording for this forum is available here: Supporting an Effective Faith Community for Veterans’ and Families’ Forum – 31 May 2024

Program Evaluation

Flinders University has conducted an independent, external evaluation of the VCPP. The evaluation report is being considered.   

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this just a Christian program?

The VCPP aims to provide support to people of any or no religious adherence. Operating in a manner similar to ADF Chaplains, Veterans’ Chaplains principally provide pastoral care and counselling, spiritual health support and, if appropriate, religious support.

How do I contact a Veterans’ Chaplain?

If you or someone you know would like to contact a Veterans’ Chaplain, you can connect with them through the normal DVA support channels:

• DVA Triage & Connect on 1800 VETERAN / 1800 838 372
• 24/7 Support through Open Arms on 1800 011 046

ADF Chaplains can also access support from Veterans’ Chaplains.

How do I find out more?

If you are interested in participating in an upcoming forum or would like to join our mailing list, please email vcpp [at] dva.gov.au (vcpp[at]dva[dot]gov[dot]au).