Soldier On Journal 

Red Poppy Advocates is a veteran organisation established in 2021. It is a movement which provides the tangible support and advocacy for Aussie Veterans by lodging compensation claims on their behalf. We do this by simplifying the complexities of applications and making the process from claim to compensation fast, smooth and worry free.

But it doesn’t stop there. Red Poppy Advocates go above and beyond the payout to ensure that veterans are provided with the follow-up care they need by providing direct access to a range of specialised holistic care. Red Poppy Advocates believe that veterans not only deserve financial compensation, but the means to restore health, whether it is by rehabilitation, fitness, nutrition or further financial entitlements. 

Through our partnership with Allied Health Services, veterans have access to Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, Occupational Therapists and Osteopaths and will be guided through one-on-one rehabilitation. Additionally, our collaboration with Elite Supplements Australia provides professional nutrition and dietetic support to enhance recovery and optimise overall health.

At Red Poppy we are veterans helping veterans. Our advocates have previously served in Defence for more than 10 years working in human resource management, administration and data processing. Our specialty is cutting through the bureaucratic red tape and navigating the complexities of DVA so veterans can focus on what really matters – recovering and getting on with life in the best shape possible.

The founder of Red Poppy Advocates has always had a deep sense of compassion, shaped by his early experiences. Growing up with a disabled younger brother, he realized the impact of disability not only on the individual, but on the family. He saw the value of external supports for people facing challenges and the difficulty of attaining them. This became a more personal experience when faced with his own injuries as a veteran. Trying to get claims through was a long painful process.

After leaving the Defence Force, he saw a similar lack of support for veterans struggling with service-related injuries. Understanding firsthand the hardships they face, he felt a strong desire to make it easier for others. Red Poppy Advocates was born from this passion with a commitment to veterans, ensuring they receive the care, guidance and advocacy they need to rebuild their lives.

‘An Australian Veteran Survives Helicopter Crash’

In 2013, during a training exercise in the Middle East, Private D. Beatson was aboard a helicopter when it crashed into the desert.

The helicopter was being thrown around violently, and I was forced into the sand as the rotor blades tore through the air. It was loud, dark, and filled with dust. I curled into the foetal position as I was tossed around inside the aircraft, while a fellow soldier was ejected and tragically crushed beneath the wreckage. We did everything we could to save him.

After leaving the Australian Army in 2022, I faced ongoing challenges with injuries from the crash. I knew support was out there, but didn’t know where to begin with the DVA process. Fortunately, with the help of the veteran community, I was introduced to Red Poppy Advocates who supported and navigated the entire process for me. During a time of uncertainty, Red Poppy took the lead and helped enormously. It was a pressure I was happy to hand over to the professionals. 

Private D. Beatson 

If you or someone you know is feeling alone or struggling with past trauma, Red Poppy is here to help when you need it most. Sometimes, being heard is the first step toward healing. Red Poppy is the best way forward with compensation and recovery. Our advocates are experienced, caring and waiting to help you.