Luke finds his way

Luke Ryder celebrated his 19th birthday in Afghanistan. A former combat engineer for the Australian Army, he specialised in searching for roadside bombs but now has post-traumatic stress disorder. After dealing with this in the wrong way, he sought help.

Now 30, Luke is “finding my way again” at Avondale. The experience is part of his “reintegration to becoming a sustainable member of society.” Taking a unit in wellbeing with lecturers who “feel more like friends” has helped. “You walk away with a smile on your face.”

When Luke is feeling overwhelmed, he remembers what he’s learned in class. “I often hear my lecturers saying, ‘Blue and green should often be seen,’ and I go for a family walk and embrace what nature has to offer. It’s grounding.”

Luke is studying to be a high school teacher because he wants to bring purpose to the lives of others who are at risk.

He first did this as a member of the army’s Brigade Advisory Team, finding satisfaction in training Afghan recruits. “We took them off the street, clothed and fed them, and taught them how to do our jobs. This gave them a career that changed their life.”

Then as a self-employed carpenter after his second tour, he tells of taking on a “rough-around-the-edges” apprentice with the builder for whom he worked. “We helped this kid become a young adult—he went on to have a successful business and change his life. If I could do that to every student I teach, my job is done.”