Few things bring Soldier On Ambassador Karen Gallacher more joy than seeing veterans connect with one another.
Whether she is hosting a monthly veteran dinner, leading a coffee catch-up and walk or simply taking the time to listen, Karen is passionate about creating opportunities for veterans and their families to come together, build friendships and support one another.
That passion has shaped much of her life.
Military service runs deep in Karen’s family. Both of her parents served in the Armed Forces and, at just 18 years old, she followed in their footsteps by joining the Royal Australian Air Force. Over the next two decades, she built a distinguished career that included service in Australia and overseas, promotion to Warrant Officer and becoming the first RAAF woman to lead an all-female flight on a Battle of Britain parade.
After leaving Defence, Karen continued working in people-focused roles across recruitment, career transition and human resources. Helping others identify opportunities and reach their potential remained a constant throughout her civilian career.
That commitment eventually led her to Soldier On, where she worked as one of two Pathways Team Leaders supporting veterans and families as they navigated employment and life after service.
‘I used to look after a team of pathway Program Engagement Officers, as we called them back then, in the employment space.’
Karen supported veterans across Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and Canberra, helping them build confidence and identify meaningful career pathways beyond Defence.
When an opportunity arose to join engineering company Aurecon in a senior role focused on veteran engagement and recruitment, Karen made the difficult decision to leave Soldier On. Even then, she knew she wanted to remain involved.
‘When I left Soldier On, I said to the leadership team, I love the organisation and I believe in what you do,’ she said.
‘I still want to be able to support you, even though I’ve left as an employee.’
That desire to stay connected led Karen to apply to become a Soldier On Ambassador.
‘I was ever so delighted to hear that, after an interview, I was accepted.’
Today, Karen channels that same enthusiasm into supporting veterans and their families throughout the Newcastle region.
One of her most rewarding roles is hosting monthly veteran dinners in Stockton. The dinners bring together veterans and their partners in a relaxed and welcoming environment where conversations flow easily and new friendships are formed.
The events regularly attract around 25 attendees and often create unexpected connections between people with shared experiences.
‘We’ve really had some great turnouts,’ Karen said.
She recalls one dinner where current and former air traffic controllers found themselves sharing stories and experiences from different generations of service.
‘There were some lovely connections made between past and current RAAF roles.’
Creating those moments is what Karen loves most.
‘I love facilitating, creating that opportunity for connection.’
Years spent working with veterans have reinforced her belief that connection is one of the most powerful forms of support available to those transitioning from military life.
‘You’ve already got a strong bond because you’ve served and nothing can ever break that,’ she said.
‘You have this instant trust when you know it’s another veteran that you’re talking with or meeting.’
The bonds formed through service often transcend rank, service branch and age. Karen sees that every month as veterans from different backgrounds come together around the dinner table, united by shared experiences and an understanding that only fellow veterans can truly appreciate.
Karen also helps facilitate a fortnightly veteran coffee catch-up and walk, which attracts veterans, partners, young families and even a few furry companions.
The informal gatherings provide an opportunity for people to talk openly, share experiences and access support in a welcoming environment.
Sometimes those conversations lead to practical assistance.
During one coffee catch-up, Karen met a young Air Force veteran who was struggling to find employment. Drawing on her extensive background in recruitment and career transition, she helped the veteran improve her resume, connect with services and access support through Soldier On.
‘I feel so very privileged to help somebody on their journey,’ Karen said.
‘To let them know that they’re not alone, that we’re here to provide not a handout, but a hand up.’
Karen regularly sees veterans arrive at events feeling uncertain or hesitant before gradually finding their confidence and building meaningful connections with others.
‘A little bit shy, a little bit quiet,’ she said.
Over time, many become familiar faces at both the dinners and coffee catch-ups, forming friendships and strengthening their support networks along the way.
Karen often encourages newcomers who attend a dinner to come along to a coffee catch-up as well, helping them expand their networks and deepen their connection to the veteran community.
Watching that happen brings her enormous satisfaction.
‘It fills my cup. I get so much enjoyment out of seeing other veterans enjoying themselves.’
Those moments remind her why she continues volunteering her time long after retiring from full-time work.
Participation in Soldier On’s mentoring program, veteran events and community initiatives has only strengthened that commitment.
‘It means a lot to me,’ she said.
‘It’s something that’s in my DNA. It’s my purpose.’
Karen also recently attended the Veteran Women’s Forum in Brisbane, where she joined discussions about some of the challenges veteran women face during and after military service. Opportunities like these continue to reinforce the importance of connection, advocacy and ensuring veterans feel supported long after they leave Defence.
Despite retiring from her professional career, Karen remains deeply connected to the veteran community and grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting it.
‘Even though I’ve retired, I feel so connected to the veteran community, primarily thanks to Soldier On and again the opportunity to be part of the ambassador team.’
For Karen, the veteran community has provided lifelong friendships, shared understanding and a sense of belonging that extends far beyond military service.
Through every dinner, coffee catch-up, conversation and act of support, she continues helping others discover that same sense of connection.
And in return, the community she serves continues to inspire her every day.
