The sun had barely climbed over the granite ridges of Beechworth Gorge when veterans and serving soldiers began their steady descent into cold rock pools, cascading waterfalls and narrow drops.

What looked like any other abseiling tourist group was something far more meaningful: Exercise Second Watch, a growing partnership between the Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC) and the Wodonga RSL, designed to reconnect those who’ve served through challenge, camaraderie and the kind of shared experience that lingers long after the uniform comes off.

Veteran Kain Neale left Defence 15 years ago, initially having no contact with Defence or the RSL. It’s these experiences, he said, that reconnect him – with himself and the veteran community.

“As someone with PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], there can be a lot going on in your head,” Mr Neale said.

“But when you're doing this kind of stuff, your brain gets pretty quiet and it's more task-oriented, so you're more in the moment.

“Being in the ADF is a lifestyle and when you leave that lifestyle it can be very isolating, so it's great to reconnect.”

ALTC Human Factors Training Team Officer Commanding Major James Brundish said resilience training is a critical factor in the success of Exercise Second Watch – offering veterans the familiar thrill of adventurous activities they experienced in service alongside other current and ex-serving veterans.

“Resilient activities are designed to put people outside the comfort zone,” Major Brundish said.

“We want to expose people to activities they wouldn't usually do, get them to do something that will inspire just a little bit of stress, a little bit of fear, but then provide a great deal of accomplishment at the end of it.”

'I’m not afraid to admit I got a little teary because I am super proud of what we achieved.'

The Exercise Second Watch concept was conceived a year ago by Major Brundish and brought to life with Wodonga RSL Operations Manager Stacey Bernadin. 

After the pilot program proved a raving success in October last year, this second serial will be but one of many in 2026.

“We're going to take advantage of our region's beautiful weather systems and seasons,” Major Brundish said.

“So we're going to do some rock climbing as it starts to cool down, then we're going to go into some snow, then as it starts to warm up again, we're going to do some water activities and then we're going to culminate with a camping activity towards the end of the year.”

To help the program gather pace, Ms Bernadin said Wodonga RSL had submitted an application to the Department of Veterans' Affairs' Veteran Wellbeing Grants Program by Wodonga RSL scale up Exercise Second Watch across Victoria.

Regardless of the outcome of the grant, 21 serving and ex-serving veterans left the Beechworth Gorge beaming with pride on March 22, having fought the fear and arm in arm, accomplished something great. For Major Brundish and Ms Bernadin, however, their satisfaction surpassed the thrill of abseiling.

“I’m not afraid to admit I got a little teary because I am super proud of what we achieved,” Ms Bernadin said.

“To be part of this, not only the team that organised it but to actually partake as well – if you could bottle the feeling and if I could spread it around I would. That’s the aim from the ALTC team and the Wodonga RSL – to bottle it and spread it around because there’s nothing else like this on offer to the veteran community. I feel immense pride to work alongside veterans and current serving members. It’s what it’s all about.”