Building a resilient and united Western Australian Veteran Community

The need for specialised support for our veterans continues to grow. A 2010 study revealed that 22% of ADF personnel experienced mental health disorders annually - surpassing rates in the general Australian population. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide highlights that, after thirty-two years of deployments to Somalia, East Timor, the Solomons, Afghanistan, Iraq, and beyond, this figure has undoubtedly risen.

Veterans face unique and often extreme pressures during military service—pressures that can leave lasting physical, mental, and emotional scars. These are consequences we, as service personnel, willingly accept in the name of duty to our nation—a debt that lingers long after the uniform is folded away.

Yet, the transition to civilian life often proves as challenging as the pressures of service itself. The loss of structure, camaraderie, and purpose that defined military life can be deeply destabilising. Traditional support services, though well-intentioned, are often hindered by red tape, delaying the timely and tailored support veterans need to address their pressing and unique challenges. This gap in support not only complicates reintegration but can also intensify the challenges veterans seek to overcome.

At Pillars for Pilgrims, we believe that those who’ve paid it forward deserve unwavering support as they transition from military service and rebuild lives defined not by past sacrifices but by future potential.

  • Our role is straightforward: to raise funds to support our programs, increase awareness of the challenges faced by ADF veterans, and foster a safe and supportive community. We're committed to achieving this with speed and efficiency.

  • We are a majority SAS veteran-founded, not-for-profit registered charity with ACNC accreditation and PBI (Public Benevolent Institution) status. As a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR), donations to us are tax-deductible.

    Our mission is laser-focused on supporting current and former SAS veterans throughout Australia, former ADF veterans, and international Special Operations Forces veterans (SOF) based in Western Australia.

  • Fundraising, leveraging, facilitating, supporting and partnering.

  • Our charity, which we proudly call a community, is named Pillars for Pilgrims because it embodies the dual essence of strength and journey. The term “pillars” reflects the steadfast support, resilience, and stability that veterans bring to one another. Like ancient structures that have endured the test of time, we stand as unyielding supports for our community, lifting each other through challenges and providing a foundation of trust and strength. Pillars are not just about holding things up; they represent enduring bonds that create stability in times of uncertainty.

    The word ‘pilgrims’, whilst drawing on the P4P founder’s SASR history, speaks to the journey we all share. Life after service is a pilgrimage—one of transformation, discovery, and purpose. Pilgrims venture into the unknown, often relying on the strength of their community to guide them forward. For us, it symbolises the collective path veterans walk as we transition, grow, and seek new meaning.

    The Pillars of Hercules, from ancient mythology, mark the edge of the known world—a gateway to uncharted territory and a reminder of the struggles endured to reach greater heights. Like Hercules in his legendary labours, veterans face their own Herculean challenges, both in service and in the pilgrimage that follows. These challenges forge resilience, create purpose, and strengthen the bonds that connect us.

    Together, Pillars for Pilgrims captures who we are: a community that strengthens and supports each other through the challenges of the journey, ensuring no one walks alone.

    “The people in your life are like the pillars on your porch. Sometimes they hold you up, and sometimes they lean on you. Sometimes, it’s enough to know they are standing by.”

    — Merle Shain

PROGRAMS

  • Emergency Financial Relief

    A program providing urgent financial assistance to veterans and their families in times of crisis, when immediate support is needed and other options are delayed or hindered by time constraints or bureaucratic processes. Examples are short-term accommodation, financial hardship, and respite.

  • Wandering Pilgrims

    A program offering cultural immersion experiences that gently challenge veterans by taking them beyond their mental, psychosocial, and sometimes physical comfort zones. The primary goal is to foster the creation of positive and lasting memories for veterans and their families.

  • Ambassador

    Veterans who have participated in any Pillars for Pilgrims program are invited to become ambassadors for the community. As ambassadors, they share their lived experiences of reintegration and rehabilitation, helping to inspire and support fellow veterans on their own journeys. 

Meet Our Founders

Andy White

Andrew’s inspiration for co-founding Pillars for Pilgrims stems from his unwavering commitment to accountability and transparency in addressing issues rooted in military leadership and government decisions that impact veterans. Drawing from his professional experiences and personal drive, he seeks to create a robust network of support in Western Australia, rebuilding the camaraderie and community that service members and their families often experience while serving. His goal is to foster this sense of belonging and connection in civilian life, helping veterans and their loved ones navigate the challenges of reintegration and thrive within a united community.

  • Andrew’s military career includes service in both the British Army and Australian Defence Force, with more than a dozen operational tours across Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, Africa, and Asia. As a former SASR troop SGT, Andrew brings extensive leadership experience and an intimate understanding of the unique challenges faced by veterans transitioning to civilian life, as well as the ongoing struggles many veterans encounter.

    Andrew’s inspiration for co-founding Pillars for Pilgrims stems from his unwavering commitment to accountability and transparency in addressing issues rooted in military leadership and government decisions that impact veterans. Drawing from his professional experiences and personal drive, he seeks to create a robust network of support in Western Australia, rebuilding the camaraderie and community that service members and their families often experience while serving. His goal is to foster this sense of belonging and connection in civilian life, helping veterans and their loved ones navigate the challenges of reintegration and thrive within a united community.

    Outside of his advocacy and charity work, Andrew values spending quality time with his wife, Tracy, and their six children. He remains deeply committed to fostering social connection and camaraderie within the veteran community, ensuring that no one who has served feels isolated or forgotten.

    Andrew is proud to stand with his fellow directors and supporters in advancing the mission of Pillars for Pilgrims, creating a lasting legacy of support and solidarity for veterans and their families.


Adam Slot

Pillars for Pilgrims was founded from Adam’s deep commitment to supporting his fellow veterans, particularly SAS and international SOF veterans in WA. His personal mission addresses four critical challenges: the lack of local services tailored to the unique needs of contemporary veterans, the frustrating bureaucratic red tape that often delays access to vital support, the need for meaningful reintegration opportunities beyond occasional social gatherings, and the importance of holistic rehabilitation that prioritises mental well-being alongside physical recovery.

His goal is to create a space where veterans feel respected, appreciated, and supported, ensuring they know they are not only part of a legacy but also a community that continues to stand by them.

  • Adam, known by many as "Slotty," grew up in Tasmania, completing his schooling before embarking on a distinguished military career in May 1992. Over nearly three decades, Adam served in the Army Reserve, Ready Reserve, Royal Australian Navy, and the Australian Regular Army. In 2002, he achieved one of the military’s most challenging milestones, successfully completing SAS selection. Throughout his career, he deployed to East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and undertook domestic counter-terrorism duties. After being medically retired from the ADF in September 2021, Adam transitioned from his service, leaving behind an enduring legacy.

    Married with three adult sons, Adam sought new purpose after leaving the military. He took on leadership roles, such as President of the WA branch of the Australian Special Air Service Association (WA ASASA), represented his country at the Invictus Games in Germany, and embraced new sporting pursuits. However, his experiences revealed the frustrating reality many veterans face—navigating the complex maze of support services. He was particularly struck by the lack of respect and resources for younger Afghan veterans, despite widespread public support for them. Adam was determined to create meaningful change and address the critical gaps in veteran care.

Tess Slot

As co-founder of Pillars for Pilgrims, Tess draws on personal experience and a deep connection to the military through her family, combined with an unwavering determination to address the challenges veterans face as they transition to life after service. Her personal mission is clear: to create positive, uplifting experiences and opportunities for veterans, empowering them to create new, meaningful memories - ones that are rooted in hope, growth, and a positive, enriching future.

Tess envisions a community where veterans feel truly supported, valued, and empowered, building a brighter, fulfilling future and rebuilding their sense of purpose and belonging. Her motivation is driven by an unwavering belief that those who have given so much for their country deserve to be celebrated, uplifted, and supported.

  • Tess Slot is a seasoned Director and passionate advocate for Australia’s veteran community, with extensive experience in the charity sector supporting initiatives that strengthen communities and create lasting impact. As Co-Founder of Pillars for Pilgrims, Tess combines personal experience, a deep familial connection to the military, and an unwavering commitment to addressing the unique challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life.

    With a strong family legacy of military service - her father, uncle, and brother, Adam Slot, all served, with Adam earning distinction in the SASR - Tess has profound respect for those who dedicate their lives to serving their country. Her close ties to the armed forces have also provided insight into the hidden struggles veterans endure after service, including feelings of isolation, loss of structure, and the mental and emotional toll of reintegration.

    Beyond her work with Pillars for Pilgrims, Tess has made significant contributions to broader community projects through her leadership roles in organisations like the Regional Regeneration Alliance. Her dedication to creating thriving, resilient communities is evident in her ability to lead initiatives that deliver sustainable, grassroots solutions, foster connection, and support those in need.

    Through her work, Tess strives to make a meaningful difference, whether by addressing gaps in veteran support, advocating for social well-being, or driving initiatives that create positive change across the broader community. Her leadership is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a steadfast belief in the power of community to transform lives.