Soldier On welcomes veteran and community advocate Al Charry as its newest ambassador, bringing a deeply personal connection to the organisation and its mission.
Alvaro (Al) Charry’s commitment to Soldier On reaches back to its earliest days.
As a graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, he served alongside John Bale – a close friend and classmate who went on to establish Soldier On following the death of fellow officer and classmate Michael Fussell.
‘That experience has always stayed with me,’ Al says.
‘When Soldier On was founded, it wasn’t just another organisation – it was something I felt personally connected to from the very beginning.’
Al has remained connected to Soldier On over many years, including during his time working at Government House as an Aide-de-Camp.
He now steps into the ambassador role to formalise that long-standing connection.
‘I’ve seen the impact Soldier On has, not just in what it delivers, but in how it brings people together,’ he says.
‘I’m proud to stand behind something that is genuinely making a difference.’
Al is a veteran of three combat tours and speaks candidly about the challenges that can follow service and the lasting impact of those experiences.
‘I have personally experienced a lot of mental health challenges having transitioned from the military and in the military,’ he says.
‘I’ve got a lot of friends, sadly, who have taken their own lives.’
He says those experiences continue to shape his commitment to supporting other veterans and their families.
‘Anything that I can do to support an organisation that does genuine good work in that space is a no-brainer for me,’ Al says.
‘Mental health is something that is very important to everybody, but more so for those that have experienced traumatic experiences in combat or related to their service.’
A community responsibility
Al says supporting veterans is not only a personal responsibility, but a broader one shared by the community.
‘It’s almost like it’s a societal responsibility to make sure that we look after those that have put their lives on the line to protect our way of life,’ he says.
‘I’ve been that person, and now I want to be that person that supports those that are continuing to go through those challenges.’
Al describes Soldier On as an organisation that stands out as a leader in the space.
‘You don’t have to think very hard when somebody asks you to name one organisation in the ex-serving fraternity that is doing fantastic work – Soldier On Australia,’ he says.
‘I am just so in awe of how everything comes together and everything that is being done by the Soldier On team.’
Giving back and marching on
Al also serves as a councillor at Yass Valley Council, where he advocates for his local community.
‘I don’t see myself as a politician – I’m a community advocate first and foremost,’ he says.
‘That’s what this role is about too – being a voice, connecting with people and helping others understand where support is needed.’
A long-time supporter of Soldier On’s March On Challenge, Al has contributed through personal and business donations and by supporting others involved in the fundraiser.
He will attend the March On event in Canberra on 24 March, where he is looking forward to connecting with participants and the broader community.
‘It’s about showing up, meeting people and being part of something bigger,’ he says.
‘I just want to get out and meet as many people as possible – like-minded people who care about this cause.’
He also highlighted the role of physical activity in supporting wellbeing.
‘Physical fitness goes hand in glove when it comes to what we’re trying to achieve here,’ he said.
For Al, the focus remains simple and deeply personal.
‘If sharing my story helps even one person take that step to reach out, then it’s worth it.’
Join us to March On at our Canberra event on 24 March by registering here.
You can also play an active part in supporting veteran mental health here.
