About

A private retreat for our Emergency Service and ADF families.

Banks Creek Retreat is owned and operated by Nicole and Grant as a not-for-profit incorporation and was established in July 2017. They established it to create a community of support for Emergency Service (ES) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) families.

Nicole has served in the Queensland Police Service since 2006 and Grant is a former Queensland Police Officer who now works in Corrective Services.

Banks Creek Retreat is a 100 Acre property on the border of the D’Aguilar National Park in South-east Queensland. The property is available for day use and short term camping. There are also regular community gatherings focused on providing positive mental health support.

The property is restricted to police, fire service, ambulance, paramedic, corrections, SES and defence families. Other groups and individuals can be considered on a case-by-case assessment.

The vision of Banks Creek Retreat is to provide a place of relaxation and recovery for ES and ADF personal (current and former).

The purpose is to provide a community of support and assistance to ES and ADF personnel (current and former) who have experienced Acute Stress Injury (ASI), Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI), depression, anxiety, stress and burn out, utilising evidence based approaches with innovate elements.

In the short term, eligible people will be able to utilise the property for private camping, day-trips and gatherings. The property can support approximately 100 people at present. Approximately 15 Acres of land has been reclaimed from invasive Lantana and continues to be developed and rehabilitated.

Please be aware that you will need to contact Nicole or Grant directly if you wish to use their property. Grant and Nicole take time to meet everyone that visits the property.

All visits MUST be booked through this site and approved before you arrive.

Banks Creek Retreat is intended to be a location to assist in the prevention of PTSI and associated mental health trauma (stress, burnout, etc) as well as a location to assist in the recovery from the same. It is not intended to be a location to treat those requiring professional assistance. However, if you are struggling you are always welcome for a cuppa and a chat.

Their long-term goal is to provide residential stays where members can be referred to psychologists and complimentary therapies if needed. Grant and Nicole are not medical professionals, but have a strong desire to help their ES and ADF family to build a supportive community away from the general public.

Banks Creek Retreat Incorporated (IA57594)

In February 2018, Banks Creek Retreat became a not-for-profit Incorporation and our executive was born.

  • President: Karen Harmon AM
  • Treasurer: Grant Neilson
  • Secretary: Nicole Seden

The objects of the incorporation are:

To provide benevolent relief and assistance to current and former Emergency Services, Australian Defence Force and Corrections personnel who suffer from mental and social difficulties by:

  • Advancing recovery and support by providing a supportive environment;
  • Co-ordinating and providing tailored assistance to support such persons and their families; and
  • Engaging and developing support networks

The incorporation will be seeking to become a registered charity in the future.

There are loads of relationships being built in the background and Nicole and Grant have met with and received support from many different organisations.

Grant and Nicole have the land, the good will, and the passion to drive this project, but it will cost money, labour and time. They are hoping to get much of the work done through assistance from you – through working bees, donated materials, shared labour and connections with people who can influence the powers that be.

We know that working in Emergency Services and ADF jobs affect our lives significantly. The job stays with us for life.

We know the Black Dog and PTSI are part of our lives and our ultimate vision is to create a supportive space for us to help our brothers and sisters fighting against this internal struggle. Help us to help our own!

Your Emergency Service and ADF Family,

Grant and Nicole