Month: July 2019

The finish line looms for the 2019 ISPS Handa Pollie Pedal, with the 35 riders making their way through Gympie and Caloundra with the last day arriving at Geebung RSL on Sunday around 12:30pm. 

Whilst the weather has been somewhat clear, heavy winds in the first three days along with the hillsides of Currumbin Valley to Kilarney gave even the most experienced riders a challenge.  Today, the 6^th day of the 7 day ride will finish in Gympie and the riders would have ridden 716kms.

The “yellow jersey” has leap-frogged between Pollie Pedal stalwart the Hon. Tony Abbot and Angus Taylor MP.  The yellow jersey is offered to the highest fundraiser per day and the battle has been consistent throughout the ride.

The proceeds of the 2019 ISPS Handa Pollie Pedal will go towards developing Soldier On’s rehabilitation facilities. Through these centres, service personnel and their families will have access to best practice education, training, employment placement and social connectedness programs, as well as world leading physical recovery and rehabilitation programs. 

For Interview and photo opportunities please contact

Soldier On – Briony Young on 0428 076 773 or briony.young@soldieron.org.au

Minister Taylor – Annabel Clunies-Ross 0428 295 517

What do you call a group of MP’s, a bunch of contemporary veterans, a couple of Soldier On ambassadors, their pushbikes and a squad of volunteers? The 2019 ISPS Handa Pollie Pedal!

Led by the Hon. Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, the grueling ride will take off from Currumbin RSL on Sunday 14 July at 9am and will travel almost 1000 kilometres through regional communities in Queensland and Northern NSW, to the final destination in Brisbane.

In 2019, Pollie Pedal will continue its partnership with Soldier On, to raise funds and awareness to support those who have served our nation.  The proceeds of Pollie Pedal 2019 will go towards developing Soldier On’s rehabilitation facilities. Through these centres, service personnel and their families will have access to best practice education, training, employment placement and social connectedness programs, as well as world leading physical recovery and rehabilitation programs. 

The Pollie Pedal bike ride has raised more than six million dollars since Tony Abbott launched the charity fundraiser in 1997.  It is hoped that this year’s event will raise in excess of $500,000.

Over the course of eight days, the ride will pass through communities with an active defence presence to raise awareness of the work that Soldier On does. Ex-Service Personnel will also ride, making it a good opportunity for them to share their experiences – during and since their service – with fellow riders and members of the community at large. 

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor said “While this is not my first Pollie Pedal, it is a privilege to lead this year’s event, raising money for such an important cause. Supporting veterans is everyone’s responsibility and I am pleased that Pollie Pedal will have the opportunity to contribute again to making a real difference to the lives of veterans and their families.”

In addition to paying their ride fee, every participant is encouraged to fundraise individually and this year the prestigious Yellow Jersey will be on offer to the highest fundraiser per day. Currently Minister Taylor leads the tally.

A/g Soldier On CEO Tony Fraser said “Pollie Pedal is a major fundraising opportunity for Soldier On and we are grateful to both Minister Taylor and all the Pollie Pedal riders for supporting the cause”.

The ride will conclude at Geebung RSL on Sunday 21 July at approx. 12:30pm.

For Interview and photo opportunities please contact

Soldier On – Briony Young on 0428 076 773 or briony.young@soldieron.org.au

Minister Taylor – Annabel Clunies-Ross 0428 295 517

Soldier On has welcomed news that the outgoing Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), has nominated Soldier On to be the beneficiary of a donation made by the Australian Government to acknowledge his service.
“Sir Peter has been a long-time supporter of veterans and their welfare and Soldier On is thrilled that he has nominated us to receive a donation in his name by the Australian Government,” Acting Chief Executive Officer Tony Fraser said.
“Serving as Governor-General has been the honour of a lifetime and while I most certainly did not expect a farewell gift, I am pleased that the Australian Government’s generous contribution will support Soldier On,” the Governor-General said.
“Every veteran knows that it is not just how we distinguish ourselves in service that counts, it also matters how we look after each other when that service ends. Solder On does magnificent work and deserves respect and support from the broader community.”
Acting Chief Executive Officer Tony Fraser said “We are certainly most appreciative of His Excellency’s very kind gesture to assist with the much needed funds to deliver our services to contemporary veterans and their families”.
“Now more than ever Soldier On are in need of support and funding to continue our programs in over 9 locations around Australia” Mr Fraser said.