A 77-year-old Redlands veteran challenged himself to complete the fitness test used by the Australian Defence Force as part of the Legacy Challenge on Remembrance Day.
Every day for the 11 days leading into November 11, Chad Sherrin completed 100 push-ups, 100 ab curls and a beep test to raise funds for an organisation that is close to his heart.
Sixty years on from passing his own fitness exam to enter the service, he is no stranger to strenuous physical activity but admits the exam has changed a lot over the years.
Chad first joined the 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (8 RAR) in 1964 and was promoted through the ranks to Sergeant serving with the Battalion in Malaysia and South Vietnam.
The decorated Vietnam veteran was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in action.
In 1976, he was selected for commissioning through the Administrative and Technical Officers’ Qualifying Course and there followed a variety of regimental and instructional appointments.
Following his 25 years of service, Chad decided to take up a military-level challenge of a different kind, completing the Kokoda Tail.
What he thought was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience turned into over 19 years as an expedition leader on the trail, during which time Chad led 97 expeditions across the Kokoda Trail, honouring military history and telling anecdotes and poetry to groups of trekkers.
Having retired from leading these expeditions, Chad found his next goal-oriented activity in the form of the Legacy Challenge.
For Chad, this challenge was deeply personal, a chance to give back to Brisbane Legacy, an organisation he’s been involved with for 36 years, both as a staff member and as a Legatee, honouring the wishes of his father, a WWII veteran who always spoke highly of Legacy.
“When we were growing, he always said to me, ‘If you’re ever going to do anything, do it for Salvos and Legacy,’ ” Chad reflected.
“Both organisations are very close to the hearts of any servicepeople.”
As a Legatee, Chad currently supports 28 widows in the Redlands area from almost every war and peacekeeping exercise.
“It’s a very self-rewarding thing,” he said.
“Sometimes it seems as though you’re doing very little, but to them it means an awful lot to know that there’s someone at the end of the telephone if they get into strife.”
Chad said Remembrance Day brought a variety of emotions to mind as he reflected on those he served with as well as those he serves as a Legatee.
“Because of my service, I’ve lost friends as a result of their operational service, they always come to mind,” he said.
“So too do the families I work with in Legacy; they’re the forgotten part of Remembrance Day.
“They make incredible sacrifices themselves and some, unfortunately, when they come into Legacy’s care, have made the ultimate sacrifice and have lost their partner or parent.”
Chad urges Redlands residents to donate and help Legacy Brisbane continue to support families of veterans.
“The wonderful thing about Legacy,” he said, “is it’s really about that spirit of mateship that Australians cling so proudly to.”
Visit legacy.com.au to find out more or to donate.
