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Our vision is already in action.

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The Aussie Frontline Foundation has been created to scale up the valued support and resources currently being provided by Aussie Frontline Foundation Ltd. These services have been created by people with real world, first hand experience of the communities and the issues they face, and already has a loyal and grateful group of frontliners who both contribute to, and benefit from, what we do.

By first identifying this need, and then catering to it through our self-funded model, we were able to establish a robust, working model which includes conferences, social gatherings and activities as well as educational resources and counselling services. The challenge now is to scale it to create a wider positive impact on our frontline communities which we can do with the support of third-party benevolent donations. 

The team

Board members

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Dr Dan Pronk

Dan entered into the Australian Army in 2001 on a scholarship to study medicine. Upon graduation he completed his internship and first year residency in civilian hospitals before posting to his first Army unit and quickly moving into Special Operations following successful completion of the Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment selection course. Dan spent the last five years of his service working between the SAS and the 2nd Commando Regiment and saw operational service in Timor Leste and Afghanistan. Dan was awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service for his leadership in combat during his second of four operational tours of Afghanistan.

Following leaving the army in 2014 Dan has held positions as a remote mine site doctor, a ship’s doctor, the Deputy Medical Superintendent of a regional hospital, and the Medical Director of the South Australian Prison Health Service. He co-owns and serves as the Medical Director for the private medical company TacMed Australia. He currently works part time in the Emergency Department of a regional hospital in between remote medical support tasks including support of reality TV shows including SAS Australia.

Dan holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science, A Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, A Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a Master of Business Administration, and an Associate Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators. He is an instructor on the Royal Australian College of Surgeons’ Early Management of Severe Trauma course, a board member of the Australian Tactical Medical Association, and a former Independent Medical Advisor to the Department of Home Affairs. Dan regularly presents to corporate, medical, military, government, and other groups on leadership under adversity, resilience, and social psychological theory. He has co-authored a best-selling book on resilience titled The Resilience Shield, which uses the evidence base from both the scientific literature, as well as Resilience Shield’s own government grant supported research project, to present resilience as a multifactorial, dynamic, and modifiable construct. Other titles from Dan include his autobiography “The Combat Doctor”. He lives in Adelaide, is married to a very tolerant wife and is the proud father of three boys.

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Mali Briggs

Mali joined the emergency services and became a Frontliner in 2009, and it wasn’t long before he came face to face with the mental health struggles frontline workers experience when a good friend, colleague, and army veteran, took his own life. Soon after, he became aware of another friend and colleague who was experiencing a severe mental health crisis, and Mali’s journey to understand and support him, and those with similar challenges, began. 

Over the years, Mali has experienced his own fair share of personal and professional challenges making his connection to the cause more than just theoretical or professional. At his lowest point, he contemplated suicide, but with the support of friends and colleagues, endured and emerged as a better version of himself. It’s this personal experience that gives Mali a unique, first hand appreciation of how important it is to speak up if you’re struggling, to seek support, and surround yourself with good people. 

For someone as dedicated to helping people as Mali, particularly in the area of mental health, co-founding Aussie Frontline Pty Ltd and then the Aussie Frontline Foundation Ltd, was the natural next step. He’s proud to have helped countless Frontliners to date, and believes Aussie Frontline has only just started to scratch the surface of the positive impact it can have on fellow Frontliners.

Zoe Andrews - Aussie Frontline Foundation

Zoe Andrews

Zoe was a Frontliner for more than a decade before exploring new opportunities and taking on a more hands-on role at the Aussie Frontline Foundation. In her time at SAPOL she worked across multiple departments in a number of roles, as well as contributed to activities supporting staff resilience and mental health – so her skill set and personal interests were perfectly suited to our mission here at Aussie Frontline. 

Not unlike far too many other Frontliners, Zoe has had to overcome her own challenges in the job, navigating her way through a number of issues and coming out the other side, not just stronger and more resilient herself, but with a passion to help others do the same.

She holds a number of qualifications both within, and external to, SAPOL, and has received numerous awards and levels of recognition across her career.

Her passion, personal values, attention to detail, and first-hand Frontline experience is a massive asset to the Aussie Frontline team.

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Dr Dan Pronk

Dan entered into the Australian Army in 2001 on a scholarship to study medicine. Upon graduation he completed his internship and first year residency in civilian hospitals before posting to his first Army unit and quickly moving into Special Operations following successful completion of the Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment selection course. Dan spent the last five years of his service working between the SAS and the 2nd Commando Regiment and saw operational service in Timor Leste and Afghanistan. Dan was awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service for his leadership in combat during his second of four operational tours of Afghanistan.

Following leaving the army in 2014 Dan has held positions as a remote mine site doctor, a ship’s doctor, the Deputy Medical Superintendent of a regional hospital, and the Medical Director of the South Australian Prison Health Service. He co-owns and serves as the Medical Director for the private medical company TacMed Australia. He currently works part time in the Emergency Department of a regional hospital in between remote medical support tasks including support of reality TV shows including SAS Australia.

Dan holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science, A Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, A Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a Master of Business Administration, and an Associate Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators. He is an instructor on the Royal Australian College of Surgeons’ Early Management of Severe Trauma course, a board member of the Australian Tactical Medical Association, and a former Independent Medical Advisor to the Department of Home Affairs. Dan regularly presents to corporate, medical, military, government, and other groups on leadership under adversity, resilience, and social psychological theory. He has co-authored a best-selling book on resilience titled The Resilience Shield, which uses the evidence base from both the scientific literature, as well as Resilience Shield’s own government grant supported research project, to present resilience as a multifactorial, dynamic, and modifiable construct. Other titles from Dan include his autobiography “The Combat Doctor”. He lives in Adelaide, is married to a very tolerant wife and is the proud father of three boys.

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Mali Briggs

Mali joined the emergency services and became a Frontliner in 2009, and it wasn’t long before he came face to face with the mental health struggles frontline workers experience when a good friend, colleague, and army veteran, took his own life. Soon after, he became aware of another friend and colleague who was experiencing a severe mental health crisis, and Mali’s journey to understand and support him, and those with similar challenges, began. 

Over the years, Mali has experienced his own fair share of personal and professional challenges making his connection to the cause more than just theoretical or professional. At his lowest point, he contemplated suicide, but with the support of friends and colleagues, endured and emerged as a better version of himself. It’s this personal experience that gives Mali a unique, first hand appreciation of how important it is to speak up if you’re struggling, to seek support, and surround yourself with good people. 

For someone as dedicated to helping people as Mali, particularly in the area of mental health, co-founding Aussie Frontline Pty Ltd and then the Aussie Frontline Foundation Ltd, was the natural next step. He’s proud to have helped countless Frontliners to date, and believes Aussie Frontline has only just started to scratch the surface of the positive impact it can have on fellow Frontliners.

Zoe Andrews - Aussie Frontline Foundation

Zoe Andrews

Zoe was a Frontliner for more than a decade before exploring new opportunities and taking on a more hands-on role at the Aussie Frontline Foundation. In her time at SAPOL she worked across multiple departments in a number of roles, as well as contributed to activities supporting staff resilience and mental health – so her skill set and personal interests were perfectly suited to our mission here at Aussie Frontline. 

Not unlike far too many other Frontliners, Zoe has had to overcome her own challenges in the job, navigating her way through a number of issues and coming out the other side, not just stronger and more resilient herself, but with a passion to help others do the same.

She holds a number of qualifications both within, and external to, SAPOL, and has received numerous awards and levels of recognition across her career.

Her passion, personal values, attention to detail, and first-hand Frontline experience is a massive asset to the Aussie Frontline team.

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Sputnik

When Sputnik first heard about Aussie Frontline, they immediately felt a connection with the mission to support Frontliners, having seen first hand the challenges they face through close personal relationships with people in the MFS, SAPOL and health system. Sputnik initially acted as an informal adviser, contributing to various Aussie Frontline activities and communications, bringing more than three decades of experience in the advertising/marketing space, before agreeing to join the Board of our Foundation.

Their experience spans both Australia and South East Asia, where they’ve worked on projects for some of the worlds biggest brands (Coca Cola, Tourism Australia, American Idol, Caltex etc). Sputnik is also an author, speaker and regular guest on ABC radio.

While Sputnik doesn’t have any official experience as a Frontliner, they have worked with numerous Not For Profits here in Australia, and have supported various NGOs and worked informally in disaster relief during their time in Cambodia, plus Sputnik will try and convince you completing a leadership course at RMC Duntroon many years ago also sort of counts. 

Most importantly, Sputnik’s extensive experience as a Creative Director and Strategic Adviser is a significant asset in helping us spread the word about the important work we do.

Governance & annual reports.

Aussie Frontline Foundation is committed to maintain transparency in both its operations and community services. Our board is dedicated to ensuring that all members, supporters and stakeholders are provided with the necessary information to fully understand the work we do and the outcomes we achieve.

Constitution.

Our constitution is our primary governance document and underpins the operation of the foundation.

VIEW DOCUMENT

Financial reports and Annual Information Statements.

2024-2025 Financial Year
Veteran running from Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road’

Upcoming fundraising event.

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Sam Bamford is a former Australian Army Paratrooper combat veteran, ultra-marathon runner, and host of the 2 Worlds Collide podcast. Having deployed to Afghanistan in the early 2010s, Sam witnessed firsthand the effects of combat on soldiers and first responders alike, particularly the long-term challenges of PTSD. His personal experiences on the frontlines have ignited a passion for raising awareness about the mental health struggles that veterans and first responders face.

In April, Sam will embark on a monumental journey, running 1042km from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road. Averaging 52km a day for 20 days, this run will raise funds for the newly formed Aussie Front Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting combat veterans, veterans, and first responders living with PTSD. This foundation offers critical resources and services to help those struggling with the mental health burdens of their service.

While honouring the memory of fallen soldiers like his cousin, Scott Palmer, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010, Sam’s focus is on supporting the living. He hopes to bring attention to the unseen scars carried by many and to ensure that these brave individuals receive the recognition and help they deserve. Through his run, Sam is determined to inspire others to contribute to this important cause and to offer hope to those affected by PTSD.

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