In a remarkable display of community spirit, over 20 soldiers arrived at the home of 90-year-old Vera Walker in Gladstone early on a weekday morning, leaving her in a state of astonishment. “It was truly an eye-opener and quite the surprise,” expressed the great-great-grandmother.
With a skip bin in tow, the soldiers parked their trucks along the quiet street and swiftly began cleaning up Ms. Walker’s untidy backyard while also managing traffic. “I get emotional just thinking about it… I was absolutely amazed,” she remarked.
For years, Ms. Walker had struggled to find help in taming her overgrown garden. “I faced numerous rejections from companies… they would come to provide a quote, but when I requested a written estimate, they lost interest,” she shared.
Unbeknownst to her, a representative from the charity Legacy had nominated Ms. Walker for the Backyard Assist program. This initiative, organized by Legacy’s Brisbane division, aims to assist the families or partners of fallen or injured veterans by managing their overgrown backyards, often in collaboration with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) or through corporate sponsorship.
Ms. Walker received a phone call following her nomination, inquiring if Army Reserve members participating in the biennial Exercise Austral Shield could visit her home. Without prior knowledge of the visit’s purpose, she was pleasantly surprised to see the soldiers trimming trees, weeding, planting new flora, and dismantling her old barbecue and shed. “I was incredibly grateful… it looks absolutely beautiful, I just love it, it’s so tidy,” she said, humorously adding that she could now “have a jazz waltz” in her spacious yard.
Ms. Walker’s late husband, George, served in the ADF in Thailand for six months in 1964, shortly after the birth of their second child. Having resided in Gladstone for 34 years, the guitar-playing, country music-loving nonagenarian expressed deep appreciation for the assistance, which will allow her to remain in her home longer.
Ms. Walker is one of many recipients of the Backyard Assist program, which is nearing its 10th anniversary. “However, we have been informally providing this support for nearly a century,” noted Anthony Birch, interim CEO of Legacy Brisbane. “It is crucial, especially with our aging population, that we continue to support these individuals and help them stay in their homes as long as possible,” he added.
Another recipient, Colleen Platten, experienced a similar surprise during the same period. While Ms. Walker’s backyard transformation was taking place, Ms. Platten was preparing for her own visit from uniformed personnel in Tannum Sands, approximately 25 kilometers away. “I looked out from my balcony to see four uniformed reserves greeting me,” she recalled.
Having also been nominated for the Backyard Assist program, the soldiers initially visited to assess her yard and returned two weeks later with reinforcements. “I felt incredibly humble… it was very emotional,” Ms. Platten shared, noting that her neighbors were impressed by the soldiers’ presence, saying, “People driving by were just in awe.”
The Army Reserve horticulturists not only pruned large trees and vines but also assisted in replanting potted plants. “It was a monumental task… honestly, I couldn’t have afforded this otherwise,” she stated. Ms. Platten’s late husband, Lee, enlisted in the navy at age 16 in 1962 and served mainly on minesweepers for five years.
After facing challenges with PTSD from his service, along with Parkinson’s disease and dementia, the couple decided to move Mr. Platten into an aged care facility, which was located about two hours away. He passed away in 2023. Ms. Platten has also been involved with Legacy, organizing lunches and workshops for the community.
Mr. Birch mentioned that the organization is always seeking more volunteers and expressed optimism about the future of the Backyard Assist program, stating, “It provides recipients with a sense of pride and serves as a wonderful way to honor their service or that of their family members.”
