The Stand Tall for PTS convoy ‘the Lighting Bolt’ is a procession of military, first responder’s and support vehicles alongside a ‘Ride for Life’ group of veteran cyclists and psychiatrists. 

They started in Brisbane and will travel through 17 towns and cities across Australia during Mental Health Month to raise awareness for PTS before attending the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games. 

Stand Tall for PTS founder and veteran Tony Dell said the convoy stopped at Dubbo RSL to connect with those who may be affected by PTS.  

Mr Dell founded the not-for-profit organisation after his own PTS diagnosis. He said the main message was for people to “talk to someone”. 

“If you’ve got problems, or think you’ve got a problem talk about it.”

“We have job creation services, psychologists and experts with us, and ex-Invictus competitors, veterans and police officers will be sharing stories of incredible resilience and recovery.”

A one-man-show “shell-shock” accompanied the convoy to Dubbo.

“It’s a comedic way of detailing a veteran’s problems getting back into civilian life after being deployed overseas,” Mr Dell said.  

Mr Dell said the Stand Tall logo was “awareness, knowledge and action”. 

“The idea is the more awareness, the more people that know, the more educated they are as a result there will be a lot more action,” Mr Dell said. 

Lieutenant Ryan Kelly from the 8/9 RAR said PTS was something that affects first respondents and everyone in the military.

“A convoy like this, something that raises awareness is just so important because the lack of awareness amplifies the problem in the long run,” Lieutenant Kelly said. 

“The ‘talking about it’ is a big focus of the convoy, the more people talk about it the more it becomes a part of culture. 

“The convoy has been great, we’ve come through a lot of country towns, sparking awareness with people of how much of a norm this is so people don’t withdraw themselves and hide it has been really important to us.”

Lieutenant Kelly said the engagement they have had with people during the convoy was fantastic. 

“A lot of our stops have been to local RSL’s and veteran’s affairs, so we get a lot of visits from ex-military personnel and first responder’s and they’re always overwhelmed with the response and our displays,” he said.  

“The highlight has been the engagement with smaller communities and towns, places we don’t usually get to visit and engage with.”

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