ABOUT US

---

Founded in 2021, Veteran Gaming Australia’s mission is to develop a community around a shared love of gaming & geek cultures for Veterans & their families. Our aim is to improve veteran engagement & social connections through interactive and engaging community platforms with an aim to decrease reasons for isolation, hardship and health issues in the Veteran & Family community space.

To date we have facilitated, donated & setup social gaming hubs at:

Sydney Veteran Lodge – Supporting Veterans with emergency accommodation & social needs.

Keith Payne VC Unit Hospital – Supporting Veterans with PTSD, Substance Abuse & Anger Management. (Thank you to RSLSED for kind donation of Costs)

Riverina Veteran Wellbeing Centre – 2 x Social Gaming Hubs to help connect and provide fun platforms for Veterans & Families in some of the more regionally separated locations.

These hubs provide a fun, engaging and interactive aspect for Veterans & their Families and are part of the physical/psychosocial program within Veteran Hospitals.

Some of our level ups to date include;

Established the first Miniature Figurine Painting Alternative therapy activities which are held regularly in Veteran Hospitals.

Provided resources & education Australia wide to Veteran hospitals, social workers, Health professionals & professional institutes on the benefits of ‘Alternative Therapies’ & the community space.

First charity in Australia utilising digital gaming & geek culture mediums to receive a grant from a Mental Health Association for QLD Mental Health Week.

Over $14,000 worth of care packages to Veterans experiencing financial hardships and wanting to connect with others.

First Air Assault in 2022 with all expenses paid trips for four Veterans to go on a social & interactive trip of a lifetime to PAX

Australia 2022. (Thank you to Young Veterans for kindly sponsoring 2 x Veterans)

Held over 400 fun community days/events inclusive of in-person & online Dungeons & Dragons, Virtual Reality, PC & cross-play game social days/nights, tournaments & streams. Over 6000 hours committed by our team of amazing volunteers who support Veterans & Families on many fronts.

Advocated and assisted with over 6 x Emergency Housing situations, 32 x immediate financial support (food vouchers, rent, bills),

Statistics from IGEA 2019 – Digital Australia 2020 report designed and conducted by Bond University revealed that the top 5 reasons to play games were to; have fun, de-stress, pass time, keep mind active and be challenged. The statistics also found that:

• 83% of players say video games can be effective in stress reduction
• 73% say video games may improve life satisfaction
• 87% say video games may increase mental stimulation
• 74% say video games can help emotional wellbeing
• 66% say video games can help social wellbeing
• 58% say video games may help manage pain
• 59% of parents play with children in the same room to spend time together
• 47% of all players are female