Bob Richards
CEO
MID, CG, RFD (Rtd)
Bob served in the Australian Army for 15 years including South Vietnam 1967-8 as a Platoon Medic and was wounded in action. He earned gallantry medals but unfortunately his service left with PSTD that ironically led to his daughter Hannah seeking training to provide her Dad with a Service Dog. From this, the charity Paws for Hope and Understanding Inc was formed.
Bob has been the CEO for the past 4 years and has, with the assistance of his daughter, moved the Organisation to Charity Not for Profit and Deductible Gift Receipt.
He went into the Life Underwriting industry for several years culminating in obtaining a Business Management Degree from the Adelaide University. He used this degree when he moved to Queensland and was appointed State Welfare Director of a Ex Service Organisation.
He established a telephone call line in Rockhampton to assist veterans with mental conditions in 1979.
As a passionate supporter of his country and with his service background, he now finds his purpose as a strong and empathetic advocate of men and women Veterans returning to civilian life. How valuable is it to have a man of his experience naviage that return to society, with all the emotion and adjustment that it brings?
In 1992, he established Advocacy for Veterns, his motto “Winning the PEACE” involves peer support to maximise Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) claims. Bob is qualified also as a facilitator through the Gallipoli Foundation and has appeared at Veteran Review Board and Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Thank you so much for your dedicated service Bob!