UNSW Canberra was recently announced as a Premier Partner, and the Official University Partner, of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, presented by Jaguar Land Rover.
This year there are seven UNSW Canberra alumni competing across competitions running between 20–27 October.
UNSW Canberra Rector Professor Michael Frater said the partnership is a natural fit as the university has provided education for members of the Australian Defence Force for more than 50 years. He looks forward to supporting the UNSW Canberra alumni as they compete in athletics, indoor rowing, powerlifting, swimming and sailing.
“We are proud to have contributed to shaping the lives and careers of members of the Australian Defence Force,” said Professor Frater.
Former UNSW Canberra alumnus and Australian Army Officer Ben Farinazzo is competing in indoor rowing and powerlifting. As a former infantry parachuter in East Timor (about 20 years ago), Ben suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as a broken neck and back after a mountain bike accident.
He told the Canberra Times, “(I) tried to beat it and it smashed me pretty hard.”
“Sport gave me an opportunity, in particular rowing, to get back on top of my physical and mental health and it was through that opportunity of rowing that I was connected with Invictus Games.”
Ben reflects on his time at UNSW Canberra with fond memories.
“UNSW Canberra helped me with a supportive and engaging learning environment. As a student I was provided with a solid foundation in the development of critical analysis, effective communication and a broader understanding of the global environment.”
In the lead up to and during the Games, UNSW Canberra will be highlighting its research in moral injury – which is an inner wound sustained when an individual’s value system is disrupted by morally challenging experiences.
“The notion of moral injury is not new, but the need to understand and better manage this unseen wound is critical as more uniformed personnel return from overseas deployments affected by what they’ve seen and heard,” said Professor Frater.
“UNSW Canberra will use this partnership with Invictus Games Sydney 2018 to further raise awareness with a view to better supporting men and women returning from service in the future.”
The partnership was announced at the Invictus Games 100 Days to Go event at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Chief Executive Officer Patrick Kidd OBE, said: “We are grateful to have UNSW Canberra join us on our journey to the Games.”
“Together, through this partnership that we’ve announced today, we can ensure the Games have a lasting impact for our defence personnel and veterans well beyond October 2018,” he said.