APOD launches charity and new community space

On Thursday 28 August 2025, APOD marked a new chapter in our mission to support the defence, veteran, and first responder community, with the launch of APOD Community Ltd as a registered charity and the opening of a new community space in Keswick, South Australia.

Key highlights:

✅ Launch of APOD Community Ltd — a registered charity expanding support for Defence, veteran, and first responder families.
🏠 Opening of a new community space in Keswick, South Australia — enabling physical as well as digital impact.
🤝 Strong support from Defence leaders, government, business partners and veteran support organisations.
💡 Looking ahead: expanded programs in cost-of-living relief, wellbeing, and career pathways.

This space allows us to extend our digital impact into a physical one – a place where members, partners, and the wider defence and first responder community can come together to access support, share ideas, and build connections. It strengthens our ability to deliver cost-of-living relief, wellbeing programs, and career pathways that directly benefit families who serve and protect Australia.

A strong show of support

The milestone event brought together almost 80 senior defence and veteran leaders, business partners and veteran support organisations to celebrate APOD’s journey since its establishment in 2012.

The South Australian Minister for Veterans Affairs, The Hon Joe Szakacs MP, praised APOD’s role in building resilience among veteran families: “Today demonstrates the importance APOD places on supporting veterans through economic and financial resilience. We see the great value that APOD brings to the veterans community, veteran service organisations, and businesses in putting veterans and their families front and centre.”

“We see the great value that APOD brings to the veterans community, veteran service organisations, and businesses in putting veterans and their families front and centre.”

Wing Commander Craig Keane, CSC, Royal Australian Air Force, also spoke about APOD’s practical impact. “There are practical benefits that APOD produces that we can use every day. I see firsthand what the Royal Australian Air Force, Edinburgh precinct defence members get to benefit from APOD, and also see it firsthand as a user. It’s not just about the dollar saved, it’s about recognition, belonging, and ensuring that the defence and veteran family always feel supported. Having the unique service like APOD to support us is really important,” he said.

South Australian Minister for Veterans Affairs, The Hon Joe Szakacs MP, addressing the audience

Partners walking alongside us

The launch drew strong support from business partners present, including Commonwealth Bank, Garmin, Spinifex Brewing Co, the veteran-owned Human Quotient Group, Smoke Eaters Wines, and Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers. We’re grateful to our other partners who connected with us, including Ampol, Breville, Samsung, Posca, The Good Guys Commercial, and Koala.

Julie Hall, Senior Manager at Commonwealth Bank for Veterans, reflected on the partnership’s growth: “At CommBank we’re deeply proud to support APOD and to walk alongside them. On a personal note, my family and I have used APOD many times – the kind of support we get isn’t just about money, it’s a tangible way of saying thank you to the veteran community.”

Adam Barnard from Spinifex Brewing Co added: “With the help of APOD, we’re building a lasting impact and connection for the Defence community. We’re really excited about this partnership and the opportunities ahead.”

Looking ahead

Between 2019 and 2023, APOD delivered more than $55 million in savings back into the pockets of Defence and veteran families. With APOD Community now established as a charity, and with a physical space to complement our digital platform, we are expanding our impact even further.

Our CEO, Paul Broadbridge, described the launch as a defining moment. “APOD connects Defence and veteran families with cost-of-living relief, job opportunities, wellbeing programs, and a growing network of veteran-owned businesses,” he said. “This office gives us a home, this charity gives us a purpose, and this program gives us a way forward.”

In his speech, Paul thanked APOD members for their ongoing support and encouragement, noting that every partnership, every dollar, and every initiative is turned into real outcomes for families.

The mission of APOD Community is clear: to relieve the poverty, hardship and distress that come with service life; to support financial wellbeing and resilience; to foster mental health and community connection; and to encourage entrepreneurship by providing families with access to networks, knowledge, and, in time, resources to build sustainable livelihoods.

“This office gives us a home, this charity gives us a purpose, and this program gives us a way forward.”

Through APOD Community, we will also work closely with expert partners in areas such as financial wellbeing and mental health, ensuring families can access the right support at the right time. These collaborations mean we can turn lived experience into practical, professional help that makes a real difference.

Since 2012 APOD has been committed to improving the financial and social wellbeing of defence and veteran families. This new chapter ensures we can continue to grow that impact together.

Members of the defence, veteran, and first responder communities coming together for a group photo

Members from the defence, veteran, and first responder communities engaging at the event

Catch more of the moments in videos and photos

🎥 Watch the video of all the speakers and their speeches here.
📸 Browse the event photos here.

For more information, email APOD at community@apod.com.au or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.