We use cookies
This helps to improve your online experience and measure traffic to the website. For more information visit our cookie policy.
Father of five with a family history of service.
Updated 11 Feb 2024 (first published Feb 2024)
Meet Josh Pratt, who is our dedicated hero for VIP Heroes Draw 10. Originally from Victoria, Josh enlisted in infantry in the Australian Army in 2001. Encouraged by his grandfather, who had served in the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force), Josh joined the Defence Force when he was just 17 years old.
The Pratt family has a very proud history of service dating all the way back to Josh’s great grandfather, who served in Gallipoli. During his time in service, Josh was deployed to Timor-Leste on a United Nations peacekeeping mission. He was medically discharged in 2006 and now lives in Townsville with his wife, Amanda, and their five daughters.
At the time when I discharged, I didn’t realise how bad my injuries were. And as the years went on, it just kept getting worse and worse.
“I’d be popping pills, pills and pills just to get to work. Then the pain was taking a toll on all the kids and the wife because I would get home from work, and I could barely walk.”
Physical and financial pressures grew
By his mid-twenties, Josh’s back pain grew progressively worse. He would come home from work and collapse at the front door, unable to move. Everyday life became unmanageable and he had to be heavily medicated just to get through the day.
“In terms of normal activities, I couldn’t mow the yard or if I did, I’d then be bedridden for two days.”
After a multitude of costly appointments with several specialists, Josh was finally diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. He had previously dislocated both shoulders, sustained multiple ankle injuries and developed arthritis in his ankles, knees and back.
The chronic pain was starting to affect him mentally, and he could no longer work, putting the family under financial pressure. Josh and Amanda decided to move to Townsville in the hopes that the warmer climate would relieve some of the pain.
When we got to Townsville, we had nothing. We were in a hole, both emotionally, financially, mentally. Just everything was down in the gutter.
Finding support and the road to recovery
A friend of the family had recommended that they contact the Mates4Mates Family Recovery Centre in Townsville, which supports both current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force, as well as their families.
Originally seeking help for physical rehabilitation, RSL Queensland Advocate Brett Armstrong, could see the family was also struggling in other areas. He was able to offer financial support to help the family on the road to recovery.
Support like that from the RSL Queensland and Mates4Mates is amazing. I think especially Mates4Mates have had a big impact on us. When you go through financial stress, injuries, mental health whatever it is, there is someone there for everything.
“I’m still on plenty of medication, however Mates4Mates with Lauren, the exercise physiologist, has been great. She’s given me stretches that I do every day to try and relieve some of the pain. But it won’t go, it’s going to be there forever.”
Through Mates4Mates, Josh started to receive both physical and mental support for his chronic back pain. The Centre also provides services to keep the whole family active, including yoga, after school activities, kids’ boot camps, and even art classes.
“Even though I can’t do a lot of physical activities, it’s more the movement and keeping active that helps with recovery. Keeping a healthy mind helps with the pain as well.”
Through his time with Mates4Mates, Josh has also become aware of other people facing similar challenges and has become a strong supporter of the services. Together with his wife Amanda, Josh is regularly donating his time by volunteering at the Centre café.
“The amount of help down there is phenomenal. All you need to do is ask and you’d be surprised with what they can do.”
Thank you to all the supporters of RSL Art Union. All the funding that goes towards RSL QLD and all the support services helps both veterans and families. If you need help and you’re an ex-serviceman or woman, you can get assistance if you need it.
How your support changes lives
Our regular supporters are so important for RSL Queensland to provide much-needed help to veterans and families. The money raised helps deliver a range of impactful services and programs to help in real and meaningful ways. In 2023, 20% more veterans and families were supported by RSL Queensland’s services than the previous year, including:
8,411
veterans and families supported by RSL Queensland’s services.
6,712
claims and appeals submitted to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
285
jobs found for veterans and their partners.
202
veterans and families housed in safe, permanent accommodation.
Frequently asked questions
Funds raised through RSL Art Union allows RSL Queensland to provide practical support, assistance, advice and camaraderie to current and former Australian Defence Force members and their families across Queensland and nationally.
RSL Queensland’s mission is to provide care, commemoration and camaraderie to enable veterans and families to live with dignity and respect.
For example, in 2023, RSL Queensland supported 8,411 veterans and their families with their services, found jobs for 285 veterans and their partners, and helped 202 individuals into safe, permanent housing.
You can read about our services and stories at rslartunion.com.au/about/impact.
Life always has its ups and downs. But as a veteran, or the partner of a veteran, you don’t have to face them on your own.
Whether you're looking for employment, scholarships, wellness programs, or assistance with DVA claims, RSL Queensland has free programs, and people at the ready, to help you achieve your life goals.
To learn more and get assistance, visit www.rslqld.org or call 134 RSL.
Every year we bring you 10 multi-million dollar properties, some with added gold bullion or even luxury cars. Get a sneak peak at future prizes with up to 5 games available for purchase or pre-order at any time. See the VIP Calendar for more on prize draw dates.
In addition to our 10 prize home draws each year, VIP Club members have exclusive entry in two VIP-only Heroes Draws worth millions in gold bullion (subject to State/Territory Licensing approval). In other words, you must be a VIP Club member to be able to purchase these tickets. See the VIP Calendar for more on prize draw dates. Or find out about how you can become a VIP here from $5 a ticket.
Get in early and reserve your tickets before a game officially opens through pre-order. Simply add the tickets to your cart now and we won’t deduct any funds until the draw’s nominated open day. See the VIP Calendar for more on prize draw dates.
If you purchase a ticket book worth $10 or more in one of our 8 prize home draws, or a ticket book worth $30 or more in one of our 2 Golden Treasure prize home draws, you're eligible to win a Bonus Gold prize!
Ranging between $10,000 and $100,000 in gold bullion, the Bonus Gold prize is awarded to the first prize winner and determined by the value of their ticket book purchase.
For more information, please see the Terms and Conditions.
You have the option of taking possession of the gold bullion or selling the gold bullion to claim its value in cash.
Please note that selling costs and market variations apply when selling gold bullion.
Of course! We love to hear feedback from our customers. We built our new website to cater for you and to improve the customer experience, so we'd love to hear what you think. You can provide any feedback here!
After each draw, we attempt to contact the winner by phone as the priority. The winning ticket number will also be posted on our Winners page, Facebook and Instagram shortly after the draw.
See our latest winner stories.
Full details of our current, and some of our upcoming draws are available online – see Prizes.
For the latest draw updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
If you're signed up for our emails, we'll email you on the open day of each draw, giving you all the draw details and the chance to order tickets.
See the VIP Calendar for draw dates.
The transfer of all our lottery prizes to prize winners is not taxable for the prize winner. There may be tax consequences for the prize winner for the ongoing use or sale of the prize. More detailed information can be found via the Australian Taxation Office.
Please note RSL Queensland is not able to provide financial or taxation advice. We advise all our prize winners to seek professional financial and tax advice to fully understand any implications.
RSL Art Union draws are held at ANZAC House, 283 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006 or as specified in the Terms and Conditions for each draw. Draw results will be published online, on Facebook and Instagram.
The majority of RSL Art Union prize homes are built brand new, while some are existing homes, expertly renovated. In both instances, RSL Queensland works closely with our accredited partners in the building industry to ensure the highest quality of standards is maintained.
Due to the often residential location and popularity of our prize homes, RSL Art Union has not been permitted by regional councils to conduct open homes because of the disruption to the local community.
Our prize homes might be closed to public viewing, but you can explore them in just as much detail online, any time you like! Visit our Prize page to access draw brochures, photos, videos, floor plans and virtual tours. All addresses are listed on our prize pages, so why not take a drive past and explore the neighbourhood. RSL Art Union will continue to assess opportunities to re-open prize homes to the public into the future.