A fishing expedition in Texas six years ago by Nelson Bay's Tim Dean has been the catalyst for a special day out for returned and serving veterans in Port Stephens.
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With the support of Soldier On and a growing number of sponsors, around 65 fishers boarded 21 vessels on February 20 to take part in the fifth annual Port Stephens Offshore Fishing Adventure.
Little did Mr Dean realise his "gift" to Armed Forces personnel would grow into an event that would have life changing effects on its participants.
"I came home from the 'wounded warrior' trip in the US and began researching the concept in the hope of orgnaising a similar event in Nelson Bay," Mr Dean said.
"Soldier On ticked all the boxes and the event has just grown bigger every year. In the first year we had six vessels. My aim was to put a smile on the faces of these men, women and their families, and due to its continued growth I am hoping to introduce a fundriasing component."
Mr Dean, owner and skipper of the boat Calypso, had a special guest on board at last Wednesday's event, popular TV fisherman and former rugby league star Andrew Ettinghausen (ET).
"There were a number of good catches this year, including two black and one striped marlin, plus some good sized flathead, snapper, whiting and perch."
The day concluded with a flypast featuring four Super Hornets from the Williamtown RAAF Base and a barbecue donated by Port Stephens Game Fishing club.
A spokesperson for Solider On said the day had become more popular each year thanks largely to the time and effort put in by Mr Dean. "He organises the entire event getting all the boats and skippers together donating their day, boat, crews, fuel and lunch."
ET has thrown his support behind fishing companies and skippers who volunteer the use of their boats to help promote better mental health of returned service men and women. "I know when I finished my football career the road ahead was full of doubt, but after a day on the water I felt better equipped to deal with those doubts.”
Soldier On’s CEO Mat Jones said that each year the feedback from the Soldier On participants was phenomenal. "They feel great meeting other veterans and their families."