About SPAHS | The Service Personnel Anglican Help Society

Supporting Those Who’ve Served – Since 1915

On the 7 June 1915, The Reverend Canon David John Garland established a fund known as the Soldiers Church of England Help Society to raise money for the work of the church in camps to provide social and recreational entertainment for soldiers of all denominations, to assist the work of the Chaplains at the front lines and to help returning soldiers to resume a normal life after their return from The Great War.

The soldiers and sailors rest home was established at Rainbow Bay in Queensland. The current building, incorporating “St George’s Defence Holiday Suites” opened in December 2016. The building also now contains 20 privately owned units that enabled us to fund the redevelopment. Our suites are located on the three lower floors and are self-contained, however there are significant indoor and outdoor community areas where the spirit of the old St George’s holiday house has been replicated.

The new holiday house enables us to provide affordable respite accommodation for former and current ADF personnel and their spouses or dependents; offer our facility and support to organisations and individuals who run programs to assist injured and ill veterans and their families; and to provide funds to the military chaplaincy in their support to veterans, all in keeping with our original and enduring mission.

In December 2022, the SPAHS Board gave approval to purchase four
accommodation units at 73 Coolangatta Road for $2.9M in order to diversify the SPAHS Investment Portfolio; maximise the return on investments and provide additional accommodation for ‘at risk’ veterans and their families.

Our Objects

The Company is established to be a charity whose purpose is advancing social or public welfare by undertaking activities such as:

1. Providing affordable respite accommodation and support for former and current ADF personnel and their families or dependents, particularly those who:
   
   • Have suffered or are suffering from physical, mental or moral injury as a
     consequence of their employment within the ADF; or
   • Are in personal crisis, or at the risk of suffering personal crisis, as a
     consequence of such things as marriage or family breakdown, homelessness, domestic violence or separation, caused by service related physical or mental conditions.
2. Providing respite accommodation and support for former and current personnel of other defence forces and their families or dependents, at the absolute discretion of the Board, particularly those who:
   
   • Have suffered or are suffering from physical, mental or moral injury as a consequence of their employment within a defence force; or
   • Are in personal crisis, or at risk of suffering personal crisis, as a
     consequence of such things as marriage or family breakdown, homelessness, domestic violence or separation, caused by service related physical or mental conditions
3. Facilitating ADF Anglican chaplaincy support for the welfare of ADF members and their families affected by their service or to reduce the harm that service may cause.

Directors:

Jennifer Walker (Chair)
David O’Hagan, RFD
Glen Garrick, OAM
Hal Morris
Alicia Irving
Rev. Don Parker (Archbishop nominee)
Rev. Stephen Briggs (Garland director)

Committee Members:

David Phillips, OAM

General Manger / Company Secretary:

Norm Yorston

How You Can Support SPAHS

• Become a Member: For just $10/year, you can join The Society and help preserve this legacy of support for future generations.
• Stay with Us: Whether you’re eligible for St George’s or booking at The Garland, your stay makes a difference.
• Donate: Every contribution helps us maintain and improve facilities that give back to the Defence community.

Donate Today or Join The Society