Luke selling Legacy badges in Bomaderry. Photo: Supplied.
For 16 years, the hum of machinery and heat of the boiler room defined Luke Brownjohn’s life as a petty officer marine technical in charge of safety aboard HMAS Brisbane.
Now, as he nears Remembrance Day as a Navy veteran with a disability, his life pulses with a different kind of purpose – reconnecting with community and embracing life beyond military service.
For Nowra-based Luke, the transition to this point hasn’t been a solo voyage.
Enter Scope disability support worker Linda Paull, a woman with her own naval roots, who understands the unique challenges veterans face.
Following his transition out of the ADF, Luke connected with Linda in March 2022, discovering a shared language of service.
Linda served on the HMAS Albatross for more than two years in charge of the mess. Coincidentally, Luke was a cadet on HMAS Albatross.
“Most of my family members are all in the military services,” she said.
“I also am connected with Albatross and Creswell because I do their functions. I’ve always been involved in the catering side of things.”
Linda has supported Luke to reconnect with other veterans and active ADF members through the Nowra RSL Veterans’ Hub, where he reconnects with fellow veterans, sharing stories and maintaining the camaraderie that defined his military years.
She said connecting him with the hub had been invaluable, becoming his anchor point.
“The most important thing for Luke is he’s with people who he’s got so much in common with, and he really looks forward to it,” she said.
“I think the other thing is, it’s a great time for Luke to be able to talk about what they did and what’s happening now.
“To see the veterans and the serving members day to day, he loves it.
“Luke and I have now done his history, because we met a gentleman through the veterans’ hub.
“We’ve got all this information now about Luke’s grandfather and grandmother who were in the army. Luke’s really excited about that.“
Luke’s morning tea catch-up with the veterans from the RSL and current serving members. Photo: Supplied.
While the pair have a strong passion for the military, Linda admits Luke’s passion runs deeper.
“With Luke, anything he attends in regards to the Defence Force or if you drive past an Aussie flag, he always salutes it,” she said.
“He’s very passionate about it, and he’s just so very proud of his family, who are also serving members.
“I learn a lot from Luke too, because I can go to him and say, ‘Hey, my son’s in the SAS, what are my expectations?’ I love that connection.”
She said in return, she was also able to keep Luke updated on Defence Force life today.
Other ways Linda has supported Luke through the transition to civilian life include taking him to events such as Wings over Illawarra, and surfing with the assistance of the Illawarra chapter of the Disabled Surfers Association at Port Kembla.
“The ocean is so special to him,” Linda said.
“He used to be a scuba diver as part of what he did with the Navy.”
She said he was also a previous state swimmer.
“He’s joined up with the Gerroa Fisherman’s Club, which he loves,” she said.
“It’s all about the way people embrace him and it’s all about breaking the barriers down.
“The biggest thing for him when he goes to the club is the way they address him and welcome him.
“They really make him feel part of something.”
He also now attends a special Veterans’ Corner at the Shoahlaven Entertainment Centre each Friday, which includes a guest speaker.
Linda said her next goal was to get Luke to be a speaker and share his extensive military knowledge.
She said she enjoyed helping those she worked with in the disability sector maintain independent living.
“Just because they’ve had ailments and things doesn’t mean they should stop and it’s good to bring that out in them,” she said.
“The world doesn’t stop, it just keeps going and it’s about how we navigate our way around it to still be doing and be part of what we were part of before.
“It’s a great joy to be able to help them gain so much fulfillment.”
On Remembrance Day on 11 November, the pair will attend the Huskisson RSL Club for the morning service.
