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Thursday May 23, 2013

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VC recipient Mark Donaldson speaks with Neil Mitchell

Posted by: Michael James | 5 October, 2012 - 10:01 AM
<b>LISTEN HERE:</b> Corporal Mark Donaldson VC

LISTEN BELOW: Corporal Mark Donaldson speaks with Neil Mitchell

Victoria Cross recipient Mark Donaldson granted Neil Mitchell a rare interview after being named the Patron-in-Chief for 'Soldier On'.

The organisation was launched a year ago by two serving diggers to help Aussies who have been wounded, physically or mentally, while serving their country.

It was announced on Thursday at a function at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra that Corporal Donaldson would take up the important role.

The VC recipient, who is still a serving member of the ADF, is back in Australia after receiving a gun-shot wound while on tour of Afghanistan.

"It was a minor gun-shot wound to the lower half of my body, but that's about all I can say about it at this stage,”

"Other than that I am alright, but I think of myself as one of the lucky ones, if it was left or right up or down a little bit more I might have been worse but it wasn’t so, like I said, I was one of the lucky ones"  Donaldson told Neil Mitchell.

It's been a rough year for the VC recipient who also had to farewell his friend Sergeant Blaine Diddams who was killed in action in Afghanistan in early July.

"It was tragic, it is hard for the family and all our mates and everyone in the regiment, but we got to bring him home which was not only good for his mates but his direct family,"

"That’s the nature of the job but it doesn’t make it any easier"

Corporal Donaldson says his own experiences have inspired him to become involved in with 'Soldier On'.

"I look those guys that have been injured and they inspire me because they have wounds that are much much worse and more severe than what I’ve had,"

"Now I look at them and say 'You know what...I have no excuse'. I have no excuse because they have it a lot worse then me, and they can still go on and they can continue to go on and do great things,"

"It’s inspiring for me, and hopefully we can help them to inspire Australians" Corporal Donaldson said.

To find out more or donate to 'Soldier On' head to: http://soldieron.org.au/

LISTEN HERE: Corporal Mark Donaldson speaks with Neil Mitchell

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3AW Mornings with Neil Mitchell

Neil Mitchell Neil is one of Australia’s most experienced journalists with success in newspapers, radio and television. He was one of the youngest editors of a daily metropolitan newspaper, The Herald.

 

Blog comments Your Say

  • Johno & his mates just dont understand do they.Johno your freedom to express your opinions publicly was fought for & hard won by generations of Mark Donaldsons. People who are willing to put their lives on the line for us. We love & admire you "Digger Donaldson".

    woja Sunday 7 October, 2012 - 8:06 PM

  • Mark Donaldson - professional soldier, humanitarian, great Australian! Keep up the good talk and the good walk -you do great work.

    Great interview Neil - better than the usual BS and gossip!

    Jake Sunday 7 October, 2012 - 6:40 PM

  • Mr Donaldson

    I don't particularly admire what you do. Having said that, your professional deportment coupled with much gusto and a willingness to maintain the highest level of self betterment needs to be commended. See you in the media or standing for election in 15 years. Well done.

    Johno Friday 5 October, 2012 - 12:28 PM

  • Melissa & I say to Mark Donladson Yiu arec an inspiration to Australia.

    JASON & MELISSA FROM BORONIA & FERNTREE GULLY Friday 5 October, 2012 - 10:49 AM

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