Music, woodwork and social connection

For veterans living with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), sometimes it’s the simplest of tunes that can help them find peace of mind and turn their lives around.

A guitar and a couple of chords is the starting point for what can be a life-changing journey for service veterans taking part in the Guitars for Veterans program at the William Kibby VC Veterans Shed in Glenelg North.

The shed has been an integral part of the community for more than a decade, providing social gatherings, woodwork activities and fundraising support for ex-servicemen and women.

Three years ago, Vietnam war veteran and singer-songwriter Jim Mavromatis introduced Guitars for Veterans to the shed and has since helped 130 war vets. The motto is “where words fail, music speaks”.

“We give them a brand-new guitar. Five one-hour lessons with (teacher) Crafty. Six weeks later, I ring them up and see how they’re going. And if they’re interested in going further, we have a guitar club,” Jim said.

Starting with two-chord classics such as Horse With No Name and Mull of Kintyre to some Creedence Clearwater Revival, rockabilly or the blues, the vets can learn to write songs and even perform on stage.

One of the guitar students is Vets Shed president Graham Matthews, who says the lessons have helped with reducing medication he takes for PTSD.

“I’m still no good (at guitar),” jokes Graham, who served in the army in the 1980s. “But since I’ve been playing guitar and talking to Jim, I’ve halved my PTSD medication.”

Graham says the music also helps vets to open up and talk with others.

“A lot of blokes come here and can talk to fellows they know and feel comfortable and safe with,” Graham said.

Guitars for Veterans is just one of the programs at the William Kibby VC Veterans Shed designed to help former soldiers recover from the physical and emotional injuries from their service.

There are woodwork activities, such as making kindling and planter boxes and turning wine barrels into tea light stands which are sold at markets. There are also social activities and a garden honouring those Diggers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“If anyone has a guitar, under the bed or in the garage, we will take it,” said Jim.

“If they’re broken, we will get them fixed.”

Some of the guitars have been painted in military themes and will be auctioned to raise money.

If you have a guitar to donate, you can drop it off at the Vets Shed at Kibby Reserve in Glenelg North or call Jim on 0438 843 254.