Veteran who withdrew super, travelled to provide aid in war zone

Uranquinty's Damien Nye was awarded the Wagga City Council Peace Award at the 2024 Combined Rotary Clubs of Wagga Peace Day ceremony on Sunday

"Damien ... is a modest but amazing man - someone who, when he sees suffering whether in his community or overseas, is compelled to do something about it," Rotary Peace Officer David Payne told the crown in attendance.

Mr Payne commended Mr Nye on his philanthropic efforts after retiring from the Australian Defence Force in 2020, and using his time to raise money and awareness for "worthy causes".

"$60,000 was raised to purchase a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to sustain [army veteran Brad Fewson]'s life and return him home to his family," Mr Payne said.

"He then got involved in raising funds for the Pro Patria Centre - an organisation which assists veterans and emergency first responders.

"Lately, he has been raising money for Riverina Bluebell, a mental health centre in Wagga.

"In 2022 Damien saw the devastation that Russia was inflicting on Ukrainian civilians.

"In April during the first year of that war he withdrew his superannuation and headed to Ukraine not knowing what to expect.

"After donating all he could to a humanitarian aid organisation it soon became apparent their was a gap in the system of aid distribution where people in remote areas were simply going without."

Mr Nye's praise didn't stop there and when he returned home he began working with an agency from the Ukraine embassy to help Australian's volunteering to work in Ukraine on humanitarian release.

"He started working closely with Ukrainian Patriot," Mr Payne said.

"After much deliberation, Damien decided to return to Ukraine ... and when he arrived he filled up several vehicles with supplies and drove to where they were needed the most.

"Damien's team travelled in four convoys of vehicles and travelled thousands of kilometres bringing supplies to small communities.

"Since Damien's return, he continues to help Ukrainian Patriot."

Upon accepting his award, Mr Nye told the crowd he wasn't alone in his efforts, thanking several others for working alongside him throughout the last two years.

"There's no 'I' in team," Mr Nye said.

"I have here a family who have supported me the whole way and people who have travelled a long way and who have stood beside me as we worked in Ukraine."