As well as the fantastic effort so many individuals are putting into this year’s March On challenge, March On is also powered by teams. Across Australia, organisations are bringing people together to support veteran mental health – turning individual effort into collective impact.
ISS Australia, Logistic Engineering Services and Boeing Australia show how participation can build connection, strengthen culture and make a tangible difference.
ISS Australia – A shared milestone, a shared commitment
For ISS Australia, this year’s March On challenge carries added significance, aligning with a major milestone for both the organisation and the Australian Defence Force.
Craig Zubrinich, People & Culture Manager at ISS Australia, Captain of the organisation’s Employee Resource Group for Age, Generations and Veteran Communities, and a RAAF veteran, says the timing has created a powerful sense of connection, with teams across the country (ISS – Team NSW are pictured left and ISS – Team WA below) all keen to raise as much as possible for Soldier On’s ongoing support of veterans and their families.
‘This year feels especially meaningful for us. ISS is celebrating its 125th anniversary, and we’re marking it alongside the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy, who are also celebrating 125 years since their establishment on 1 March 1901. That shared milestone creates a strong sense of connection and gives us a moment to reflect on what service, commitment, and community really mean,’ he says.
‘March On gives us a practical way to honour that connection. It’s not just symbolic – it’s about showing up, taking action, and standing alongside the veteran community in a way that’s visible and genuine. For us, forming teams isn’t about ticking off kilometres; it’s about reinforcing that ISS is a place where people belong, where service is respected, and where mental health and wellbeing are taken seriously.’
He says participation across the country has been deliberately flexible and inclusive.
‘We’re keeping things flexible and people focused. Different states are tackling the 96 km in ways that suit their teams best. In Queensland, we’ve set up weekly group walks from the office, which has been a great way to build routine and connection. In New South Wales, the team recently completed a walk through Lane Cove National Park – a chance to enjoy the outdoors while clocking up some kilometres together,’ Craig says.
‘Across the board, the message is simple: walk your way. Whether it’s group walks, solo early mornings, or squeezing steps in between meetings, everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that works for them.’
The challenge is also strengthening connection and culture across the organisation.
‘Taking part as a team gives everyone a shared purpose beyond their day-to-day roles. Supporting veteran mental health brings people together around something meaningful, and that has a real impact on morale,’ he says.
‘From a business point of view, it strengthens relationships across teams and locations. Walking together – or even just cheering each other on – builds trust, resilience, and connection. It reminds our people that they’re part of something bigger than their individual role.’
The team has set ambitious goals for both fundraising and distance.
‘Our current goal is to raise $14,985 and collectively walk 6,294 km throughout the challenge. We’re already well on our way and incredibly proud of the momentum so far – to date, the team has raised $11,085 and logged almost 4000 kilometres,’ Craig (pictured with ISS – Team QLD below) says.
‘That said… we’re definitely not stopping there. The real aim is to raise even more and keep pushing the kilometres as far as we can. Every extra dollar and every additional step helps extend Soldier On’s impact.’
While there is an element of competition, the focus remains on shared purpose.
‘There’s definitely some friendly competition – and that’s part of the fun,’ he admits. ‘Within the team, there’s plenty of light-hearted banter and motivation to push a little further than yesterday. The competition motivates us, but the shared purpose is what really brings everyone together.’
Logistic Engineering Services – Driven by friendly rivalry
At Logistic Engineering Services, a little friendly rivalry helps keep the momentum going during March On.
‘It definitely gets competitive internally as it gets closer to the end of the month,’ says General Manager Warren Smith.
‘People do start to look at who has raised the most money and how they are tracking against others. People use different strategies to raise money, so any late jump on double days is always met with a level of focus and determination. As the winner of the last three years internally, I feel I have a target on my back this year. From a team leaderboard perspective, we are always aiming to do one better than the year before and, at worst, we target the top ten.’
The team’s involvement in the challenge reflects the organisation’s close connection to the Defence community.
‘As a Defence-oriented business and with a number of ex defence personnel, we feel this is a charity that aligns to our company and, in particular, the values which we are aligned to,’ Warren says.
‘We have supported Soldier On for the last three years and each year we seek to increase the awareness internally, and this year we have expanded our focus to include our parent organisation UGL to also support the great cause.’
With staff spread across different states, the team is tackling the kilometres in a variety of ways.
‘The team is tackling it as individuals as we are in a dispersed work environment with people in different states,’ he says. ‘Having said that, we do try and coordinate walks together wherever possible and will look to have one key gathering where possible.’
Some participants have chosen to go even further than the standard distance.
‘Many have opted for the 192km rather than the 96km one-way journey. This not only places a bigger challenge on the individuals but also recognises the challenges our veterans go through, so a small sacrifice on our part to walk some additional kms is not much to ask.’
For the team, the challenge is also about supporting a cause that matters.
‘The ongoing commitment from LES says a lot about the people we work with and the strong values we hold close to us,’ Warren says. ‘There’s a genuine willingness to support each other and to back causes that matter, especially when it comes to veterans and mental health.’
This year, the team has set a fundraising goal of $25,000.
‘Our goal this year is to raise $25,000. This is slightly greater than last year. Currently we are a long way from it but there is still time to get there.’
Boeing Veterans Group – Walking with purpose
For Boeing Australia, March On is less about competition and more about connection to the veteran community.
David Smith, Supply Chain Manager and President of the Boeing Veterans Group, says that connection is what drives the team’s involvement.
‘It’s crucial for the Boeing Veteran Community and myself to actively engage with the wider Veteran community. Soldier On stands out as an ideal partner due to its commitment to ex-service personnel, their families, and mental health support. The recent Royal Commission confirmed what we knew—a significant issue needing focused attention. We’re eager to help; every step and blister is worth it.’
David says there is a personal dimension to the challenge.
As a veteran who began his Australian Army career in 1989 and continues to serve in the Army Reserves, he understands the long-term impact of service life.
‘As a slightly busted up old soldier these days, my 35kg pack days are a long way behind me! I take my time and sometimes bring along some furry mates. My wife and I foster abused and neglected dogs, rehoming them through Dog Rescue Newcastle. My latest companion, Buster – a Staffy x Shar Pei – recently completed his basic training and marched off to his fur-ever home. I’m now looking forward to completing the last 30 kilometres solo.’
Across the Boeing team, participation is grounded in wellbeing and support.
‘It’s a great way to get the team members at Boeing out of the office and the hangar, and it’s always a great way to start or finish the day. It has been proven that physical activity can help anyone with their own personal mental health. To be very honest, I suffer from post-operational service PTSD, and it just lifts my mental state every morning before getting behind a computer. I also engage in other activities, such as my passion for surfing.’
That openness shapes the team culture.
‘I feel that the Boeing team is more supportive and encouraging as a team rather than competitive. And let’s face it, I’m obviously biased, but as an Army veteran myself if it were a service-related competition, the Army would win every time,’ says David (with tongue firmly in cheek!).
He is proud to say that the fundraising efforts have already exceeded expectations to support veterans of all services.
‘My personal goal was $1,000.00 but I’ve doubled that. The Boeing team’s target was $2,664, and we’ve already hit $6,365, so we’ll be reassessing our objectives to set our sights even higher.’
Soldier On’s March On Leaderboard makes it easy to track the progress of all our registered March On teams and individual supporters. You can also donate to support veterans’ mental health.
