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Support to feel strong again
Updated 11 Feb 2024 (first published Feb 2024)
Meet Trudi Lines, who is our dedicated hero for VIP Heroes Draw 11.
Trudi was discharged in 2017 after almost 14 years of service. Suffering physical injuries, as well as PTSD, as a result of her deployments, Trudi faced a challenging time as she transitioned back to civilian life. With the support of Mates4Mates, Trudi is rebuilding her life and is once again able to feel strong.
From when I first went to Mates4Mates to now I have been blown away with everything they provide to help you get back on your feet. They helped me get to a much better place.
Inspired to enlist by her pop
Trudi enlisted in the Australian Air Force in 2003, inspired by her grandfather, who was an RAAF bomber pilot in WWII.
Trudi’s defence force career spanned almost 14 years, during which time she worked in logistics, as an aircraft engineer and as an electrician. She was also deployed overseas to multiple locations, including Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Thailand, East Timor and twice to Afghanistan.
Among the highlights of her service she describes her biggest accomplishment as the chance to make her Nana and Pop proud, as well as receiving the Australia Day medallion and medals for her deployments to Afghanistan.
However, the deployments eventually took their toll on Trudi, both mentally and physically. The gruelling physical nature of deployment saw her suffer from injuries to her neck, back, knees, ankle and shoulder.
It was these physical injuries that led to her discharge in 2017. The mental impact her service took didn’t become apparent until further down the track, when she began suffering the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Life after defence
Trudi describes the adjustment to life after the military as “challenging to accept”.
After almost 14 years in the defence force, she felt the loss of the mateship and the support of being in a team environment; being cut off from her close network of mates, she was faced with having to define a new identity as a civilian.
They cut the cord and that’s it, you’re out.
This led to a period of uncertainty for Trudi; although she describes her struggle with PTSD as “manageable”, she found that the stigma attached to PTSD made it difficult to find employment. After seeing an advertisement, she decided to visit the Mates4Mates centre in Townsville, on a day when she was feeling “quite low”.
Reaching out to Mates4Mates
After taking the brave first step to connect with Mates4Mates, not knowing anyone there, Trudi met Holly, a Mates4Mates liaison officer, who helped her access the range of support services on offer.
For Trudi, the most important thing has been finding a new support network of veterans and friends who can understand what she has been through – for her, attending Mates4Mates “feels like home”.
I’ll actually be forever grateful for that day.
Trudi has been able to participate in a range of sports and activities that have given her the chance to once again be part of a team. She has embraced the opportunities, so far taking part in equine therapy, the East Coast of Australia trek - which she has since become a fundraiser for, and regularly attends the gym and PT circuits.
Although she didn’t think she could apply, Holly also encouraged Trudi to try out for the Invictus Games, where she was accepted and participated in wheelchair tennis and wheelchair rugby, winning a gold medal.
“I’ve had so many opportunities that I never would have had if it wasn’t for Mates4Mates”, Trudi says.
With the support of Mates4Mates, Trudi has been able to continue to rebuild her life outside the defence force. She says, “it’s been a process to get back to a place where I’m strong”, but she can now enjoy some of her passions, including playing Women’s AFL, wakeboarding, keeping fit and has been able to start studying engineering and take on some jobs as an electrician.
It is your ongoing support of RSL Art Union that helps us provide valuable services, such as Mates4Mates, to help veterans like Trudi. Thank you.
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.
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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.