New Invictus uniform a symbol of connection

Loss of connection has been an issue for some of the 33 members of Team Australia heading to Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.

CAPTION: The Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitors receive the new team polo shirt during a uniform unveiling event at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra. Story by Flying Officer Belinda Barker. Photos by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

Battling isolation because of physical and mental injuries or medical discharge after years of service, many of the competitors cite coming together as a team as a key step to connecting with the world again.

So it is fitting the team’s new uniforms, unveiled at an event at the final training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, feature Aboriginal artwork titled ‘Connection’.

Artist Jody-Sherie Godfrey created the artwork during COVID-19, when loss of connection affected people all over the world.

The artwork includes large circles representing communities, varying in land sizes and population, interconnecting with each other, while footprints are a reminder to keep moving forward.

CAPTION: An Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia member proudly wears the new team polo shirt during the uniform unveiling event.

“Seeing how excited Team Australia was to put their uniforms on for the first time made me feel really honoured. I can’t wait to see the team proudly wearing my artwork on their uniforms on the global stage,” Ms Godfrey said.

The story of connection and sense of belonging resonated strongly with team member Cindy Chawner, of Binjura, NSW, who was delighted with the team kit.

“It felt really special just knowing we’re all coming together as a group of individuals – some serving, some former serving – across the services,” she said.

“There’s some Aboriginal people within the team, all from different mobs, but we’re all coming together essentially as one mob to represent our country, and we’re going to be doing that wearing an Aboriginal-designed uniform. It’s pretty special.”

The international adaptive multi-sport competition for former and serving military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill during their military service will be held in Canada from February 8 to 16.

The inclusion of Aboriginal artwork in the uniforms aligns with the philosophy of the games’ organising committee, which is committed to upholding Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action, and ensuring Indigenous protocols are respected in all aspects of the games.

Mrs Chawner said the uniforms embodied the spirit of the team.

“When you’ve been medically discharged, there’s a sense of loss,” she said.

“You’re not just losing a part of who you were, but you’re losing your mob. Coming together as a team, you’re forming a new mob.

“As was told to me by an Elder, mob means family and in family no one gets left behind.”

CAPTION: Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitors, in their new uniforms, fine tune their skills during a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra.

.

.


.


.