SMEAC Inc.
2315 Steve Irwin Way, Landsborough, QLD, 4550
Veterans Helping Veterans
A place to reconnect. A place to rebuild. A place to belong.
SMEAC is a veteran-led charity based at Camp SMEAC on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
We bring veterans and their families together through practical support, accommodation assistance, health and wellbeing services, activities and the simple power of mateship.
Whether you’re looking for support, somewhere to reconnect or an opportunity to help others, you’re welcome at SMEAC.
SMEAC
A veteran-led organisation providing support, structure, and purpose after service.
SMEAC is more than a place to seek assistance. It’s a community where veterans can reconnect with mates, make new friendships, share experiences and find purpose beyond military service.
Sometimes support starts with a conversation over coffee, a shared activity or simply being around people who understand. You don’t need to be struggling to be part of SMEAC. Whether you’re doing well, facing challenges or just looking for somewhere to belong, there’s a place for you here.
CAMP SMEAC
The Firm Base for Veterans Helping Veterans.
Set on 50 hectares beside Ewen Maddock Dam on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Camp SMEAC is a place for veterans and their families to reconnect, access support and enjoy a genuine sense of community.
From accommodation and health services to social activities, recreation and simply catching up with mates, Camp SMEAC offers a place to belong.
SMEAC- WHY WE EXIST
Service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Neither should support.
Transitioning from military to civilian life can mean losing the structure, camaraderie and sense of purpose that service provides. For some veterans, this can lead to isolation, hardship and serious personal challenges.
SMEAC exists to rebuild those connections, provide practical support and help veterans find purpose and belonging beyond military service.
Prevention where possible. Intervention when necessary.
WHY WE CARE
VETERAN HOMELESSNESS IS A REALITY WE CANNOT IGNORE.
Australian research estimated that almost 6,000 veterans experienced homelessness over a 12-month period. Behind that statistic are men and women who served their country, yet now have nowhere safe to call home.
At SMEAC, these aren’t stories we’ve read in reports. They’re veterans we’ve met and helped. Veterans sleeping under park benches in Noosa, along the Maroochy River, in tents, in the back of cars or on a mate’s couch. Many arrive with almost nothing, struggling with financial hardship, relationship breakdown, injuries and mental health challenges.
Providing a roof over their heads is only the beginning. The real challenge is helping veterans regain stability and find somewhere permanent to call home. Without sustainable accommodation and support, we risk sending them straight back into the circumstances they came to us to escape.
Veteran homelessness isn’t someone else’s problem. It’s happening in our own communities, and SMEAC is confronting it firsthand. We cannot afford to ignore it.
THE PROBLEM
Veterans falling through the cracks.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide reported an average of three serving or former ADF members dying by suicide every fortnight.
The Commission also recognised that the true toll may be significantly higher.
Behind these numbers are our mates, our families and our people.
Too many veterans fall through the cracks. SMEAC believes prevention must start long before a crisis develops.
THE SOLUTION
CAMP SMEAC
Camp SMEAC turns our commitment to veterans into practical action.
Through emergency and transitional accommodation, health and wellbeing support, social activities and a strong veteran community, we provide a firm base where veterans can find stability, rebuild confidence and move forward.
Real people. Practical support. Veterans helping veterans.
A veteran community and support facility on the Sunshine Coast
- Veteran Accommodation – Emergency and short-term accommodation with practical support.
- RAP (Regimental Aid Post — Medical Centre) – Onsite GP and access to specialist healthcare.
- Allied Health & Wellbeing – Psychology, exercise physiology, dietetics, social work and drug and alcohol support.
- Veteran Engagement & DVA Assistance – Personalised support, guidance and advocacy connections.
- SMEAC Mess & Community Facilities – Dining, social spaces and places to connect.
- Veteran Clubs & Squads – Recreation, shared interests, skills and purposeful activities.
- Gym & Outdoor Recreation – Fitness, fishing, kayaking and bushland activities.
- Community Events & Mateship – Wellbeing Wednesday, seminars, entertainment and social gatherings.
SMEAC-HOW WE HELP
We call it the 4-Rs
Reconnection
Reconnection is about restoring the mateship, belonging and shared sense of purpose that many veterans miss after service.
At SMEAC, veterans come together with people who understand their experiences without needing an explanation. Through friendship, shared activities and community involvement, we rebuild connections, strengthen relationships and create a place where everyone belongs.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is about helping veterans regain stability, confidence and independence when life becomes difficult.
At SMEAC, we provide a firm base through safe accommodation, practical assistance and access to health and wellbeing services. Our Dependence Program, DVA advocacy and Wellbeing Cell help veterans address addiction, personal challenges and barriers to moving forward.
Our aim is simple: restore stability, rebuild confidence and help veterans get back on their feet.
Retraining
Retraining is about helping veterans rediscover their skills, confidence and sense of purpose beyond military service.
At SMEAC, veterans have opportunities to learn, contribute and develop new skills through camp operations, volunteering, clubs and practical activities.
By getting involved, sharing their experience and taking on new challenges, veterans can rebuild confidence, discover new interests and develop pathways towards greater independence and future employment.
Reintegration
Reintegration is about helping veterans reconnect with civilian life, rebuilding relationships, confidence and a sense of purpose.
At SMEAC, we bring the wider community into Camp SMEAC, allowing veterans to reconnect with society in a safe, familiar environment and at their own pace.
Through family connections, community activities, volunteering and employment opportunities, we help veterans build confidence, strengthen support networks and successfully reintegrate into the wider community.
WHAT WE DO
Veteran Support
Practical assistance, peer support, accommodation pathways, advocacy, and access to health and wellbeing services for veterans and their families.
Camp SMEAC
Our veteran community hub on the Sunshine Coast, providing a welcoming place to reconnect, access services, share experiences and find purpose.
Activities and Clubs
From social gatherings and recreation to hands-on activities and volunteer opportunities, there’s something for every veteran to get involved in.
HOW WE DO IT
Volunteer Pathways
Veterans and community supporters working side by side, sharing skills, building friendships and making a meaningful contribution to SMEAC and each other.
Wellbeing Support
A coordinated approach to veteran wellbeing, combining peer support, health professionals, practical assistance and early intervention to help veterans navigate life’s challenges.
Community Engagement
Bringing veterans, families, businesses and the wider community together through shared activities, events and partnerships that build understanding and lasting connections.
WHAT MAKES SMEAC DIFFERENT
SMEAC Veterans Helping Veterans
SMEAC isn’t simply another support organisation. We’re a community of veterans who understand military life because we’ve lived it.
We don’t just refer veterans elsewhere and hope for the best. We work alongside them, providing practical assistance, genuine mateship and opportunities to reconnect and rebuild.
Our strength is simple: veterans looking after veterans.
THE WAY WE ROLL
SMEAC – A Grassroots Veteran Organisation
At SMEAC, we believe in getting things done. We bring the discipline, teamwork and mateship of military service into a community where everyone has something to contribute.
Whether it’s helping a mate, maintaining the camp, volunteering or simply turning up for a yarn, we believe participation creates purpose.
No egos, no unnecessary fuss. Just veterans working together and looking after their own.
SMEAC Inc.
SMEAC, JUST VETERANS HELPING VETERANS
BECOME A SMEAC VOLUNTEER
SMEAC is built on people giving their time, sharing their skills and looking after one another.
Whether you’re a veteran or a community supporter, there are opportunities to get involved in everything from camp maintenance and activities to administration, fundraising and veteran support.
Our Volunteer Form helps us understand your experience, interests and availability so we can find the right role for you.
You don’t need a military background to make a difference.
SMEAC CODE OF CONDUCT
Respect, integrity, teamwork and accountability are at the heart of SMEAC.
Our Code of Conduct establishes clear expectations for everyone representing the organisation, including volunteers and members.
It covers behaviour, safety, confidentiality and personal responsibility, helping us maintain a welcoming and supportive environment for veterans, their families and the wider community.
We look after each other, respect each other and lead by example.
SMEAC MEMBERSHIP
SMEAC is more than an organisation. It’s a community built around mateship, shared purpose and Veterans Helping Veterans.
We welcome eligible veterans as Veteran Members and community supporters as Associate Members.
Membership offers an opportunity to become more involved in SMEAC, contribute to its future and strengthen the community we’re building together.
Whether you’ve served or simply want to support those who have, there’s a place for you at SMEAC.
HELP US SUPPORT VETERANS
SMEAC relies on volunteers, community generosity and corporate partnerships to provide practical assistance, maintain Camp SMEAC and support Australian veterans and their families.
Your support directly changes veterans’ lives.
Every dollar helps SMEAC provide practical assistance, accommodation, meals and a place where veterans can reconnect, rebuild and belong.
Here’s what your contribution can help achieve.
$50 – feeds a veteran
$100 – supports a day at camp
$500 – contributes to accommodation
FOLLOW THE SMEAC JOURNEY
There’s always something happening at Camp SMEAC.
Follow our Facebook page for the latest activities, veteran stories, community events and the people and organisations helping us make a difference.
SMEAC - WHAT DOES IT MEAN AND HOW CAN WE HELP
SMEAC
SMEAC is a military planning framework familiar to generations of Australian service personnel.
At SMEAC Inc., we’ve adapted this simple, structured approach to help veterans identify their challenges, establish priorities and develop a practical plan to move forward.
Situation. Mission. Execution. Administration. Command and Communication.
S-SITUATION.
Understand the veteran’s current circumstances.
We start with a conversation, getting to know the veteran and their family, understanding their circumstances and identifying any immediate concerns.
Together, we establish what is working, what isn’t and where assistance may be needed.
First, understand the situation.
M-MISSION.
Identify what needs to be achieved.
Working with the veteran, we agree on the immediate priorities and longer-term goals.
Whether the challenge involves accommodation, health, relationships, employment or simply reconnecting with others, we establish a clear and achievable mission.
Know what we’re working towards.
E-EXECUTION.
Ensure awareness of all the services on offer
Identify those other services and support that will aid the achievement of the mission and that satisfy the needs of the veteran and their family
Agree/Draft an Action / Execution Plan that is prioritised and balanced
A-ADMINISTRATION.
Organise the support and resources needed.
We help veterans navigate practical requirements such as accommodation, transport, appointments, documentation and access to appropriate services.
The aim is to reduce unnecessary obstacles so the veteran can concentrate on moving forward.
Get the logistics right and make the plan achievable.
C-COMMAND AND COMMUNICATION.
Maintain communication and follow through.
With the veteran’s agreement, we coordinate with relevant support providers, establish responsibilities and maintain contact as the plan progresses.
Regular check-ins help us identify changes, address difficulties and adjust the plan when necessary.
Stay connected, maintain momentum and leave nobody behind.
STRAIGHT TO SMEAC MERCH
ENGAGEMENT MODEL
Every veteran’s circumstances are different, so we begin by listening.
Using the SMEAC planning framework, we work with veterans to understand their situation, identify priorities and develop a practical plan.
Whether the challenges involve accommodation, health, relationships, employment or reconnecting with the community, our approach is built around the individual and their needs.
WELLBEING COACH
SMEAC’s wellbeing approach focuses on helping veterans take an active role in rebuilding their lives.
Through guidance, practical assistance and connections with appropriate health professionals and support services, we help veterans navigate challenges, access their entitlements and develop confidence and independence.
Our aim is to work alongside veterans, not make decisions for them.
Mobile Overwatch
Taking Veterans Helping Veterans beyond Camp SMEAC.
SMEAC’s Mobile Overwatch concept aims to extend practical support and connection to veterans living in regional and isolated communities.
By bringing veteran-led assistance closer to those who need it, our goal is to reduce isolation, identify emerging difficulties and help veterans access appropriate support.
Rapid Response
Helping veterans when life takes an unexpected turn.
SMEAC’s Rapid Response concept focuses on mobilising veteran-led assistance when individuals or families face urgent hardship.
The aim is to coordinate practical support, connect people with appropriate services and provide reassurance during difficult circumstances.
Built on mateship and shared experience, it’s about ensuring veterans know they don’t have to face challenging situations alone.
SMEAC Inc. SUPPORTED BY
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
SMEAC is strengthened by the generosity of businesses, community organisations and individuals who share our commitment to Australian veterans.
Through donations, equipment, services, partnerships and volunteer support, these organisations help us turn Veterans Helping Veterans into practical action.
We sincerely thank everyone who contributes to our mission.
Toro Australia is a leading supplier of professional mowing, turf maintenance and outdoor equipment.
Toro has generously supported SMEAC through the donation of a zero-turn ride-on mower and a self-propelled mower. This significant contribution helps us maintain Camp SMEAC’s extensive grounds, providing a safe, welcoming and well-maintained environment for veterans and their families.
SMEAC sincerely thanks Toro Australia for its generosity and practical commitment to supporting our veteran community.
MT Movers has been an outstanding and longstanding supporter of SMEAC, contributing equipment, infrastructure, financial assistance and invaluable logistical support.
From supplying shipping containers and building our gym to transporting containers at no cost, MT Movers has played an important role in the development and ongoing operation of Camp SMEAC.
Their generosity, practical assistance and genuine commitment to Australian veterans exemplify what Veterans Helping Veterans is all about.
SMEAC sincerely thanks the MT Movers team for consistently stepping up when we need them.
Southern Cross Smokers — Victoria, Australia
Southern Cross Smokers is a proudly Australian business manufacturing handcrafted, heavy-duty barbecue smokers in Victoria.
Andy, the man behind Southern Cross Smokers, has shown extraordinary generosity through the donation of impressive, Australian-made smoking equipment to Camp SMEAC.
His contribution provides a fantastic addition to our camp facilities, bringing veterans and their families together around good food, conversation and mateship.
For a small Australian business to make such a generous contribution speaks volumes about the people behind it.
SMEAC sincerely thanks Andy and Southern Cross Smokers for their outstanding support of our veteran community.
The National Servicemen’s Association represents and preserves the legacy of Australians who undertook National Service between 1951 and 1972.
Its members bring a lifetime of experience, mateship and commitment to the veteran community.
SMEAC is proud of its relationship with the National Servicemen and the contribution they continue to make through their involvement, experience and support.
We sincerely thank these veterans for their service and their ongoing commitment to looking after fellow Australians who have worn the uniform.
BioGiene has been an exceptional supporter of SMEAC, contributing far beyond its professional cleaning and hygiene expertise.
Through financial assistance, legal and professional support, shipping containers, equipment and generous donations of cleaning products, vacuum cleaners and essential supplies, BioGiene has made a substantial contribution to developing and maintaining Camp SMEAC.
Their willingness to provide practical solutions and support when needed has made a genuine difference to our operations.
SMEAC sincerely thanks the BioGiene team for its generosity, commitment and belief in our veteran community.
The Aussie Veterans Association is one of SMEAC’s most trusted partners when veterans and their families need immediate, practical financial assistance.
Whether it’s vehicle registration, children’s school expenses, clothing, household bills or other essential costs, the Association consistently steps up to help veterans experiencing hardship.
Through its opportunity shops, fundraising and dedicated volunteers, Aussie Veterans turns community generosity into meaningful, direct assistance for those who need it most.
SMEAC is proud to work alongside an organisation that genuinely lives the principle of Veterans Helping Veterans.
The Queensland Veterans’ Council is an independent statutory body established to provide advice to the Queensland Government on veterans’ matters, to hold and manage Anzac Square and its Memorial Galleries and to administer the Anzac Day Trust Fund.
Ewen Maddock Fish Management Inc. is a volunteer-driven community organisation dedicated to maintaining and improving recreational fishing opportunities at Ewen Maddock Dam.
Through fish stocking, environmental stewardship and community involvement, the organisation helps protect an important recreational asset enjoyed by locals and visitors.
SMEAC values its relationship with Ewen Maddock Fish Management and our shared appreciation for volunteering, community participation and the benefits of spending time outdoors.
We thank its members for their contribution to our local community.
1. Stay connected with SMEAC.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news, veteran stories, activities and events at Camp SMEAC.
See our volunteers, supporters and veteran community in action, and discover how Veterans Helping Veterans is making a difference every day.
Follow our journey and help spread the word.
2. VISIT Camp SMEAC
Come and experience SMEAC for yourself.
Located near Ewen Maddock Dam on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Camp SMEAC is a welcoming place for veterans, their families and community supporters.
Whether you’re interested in our services, activities, volunteering or simply catching up for a coffee, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch and arrange a visit.
3. SHARE us online
Help us reach more veterans.
You don’t need to donate money or volunteer to make a difference.
Sharing SMEAC’s stories, services and activities helps us reach veterans and families who may not know where to turn.
Every share introduces someone new to our community and strengthens our network of support.
Sometimes helping a veteran starts with simply spreading the word.
SMEAC Veterans Helping Veterans
Whether you’re a veteran looking for support, a sister or brother seeking connection or someone wanting to make a difference, there’s a place for you at SMEAC.
Veterans Helping Veterans. Together, we make a difference.
SMEAC
A PLACE FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO RECONNECT, FIND SUPPORT AND BELONG.
2315 Steve Irwin Way,
Landsborough, QLD, 4550
