'It gave me that purpose that I was looking for'
Adam Barrett with his motorbike at the Australian War Memorial.
Adam Barrett is on a mission to get people talking.
What began as a project to rebuild an old Harley Davidson motorbike in memory of his mates and give him a sense of purpose soon grew into an eight-day ride to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to raise awareness of veterans’ mental health.
The Afghanistan veteran arrived at the Memorial last week after travelling more than 4,000 kilometres from his home in Townsville, northern Queensland, to a motorbike show in country Victoria, and then Canberra.
“The Memorial has been the goal from the get-go, so riding in was definitely emotional for me,” Adam said.
“I wanted to build a motorbike to start a conversation about veterans’ mental health because I lost two friends to PTSD.
“I was originally going to build the bike for myself and for them, and it just grew.”
Adam Barrett served for almost ten years with the 1RAR. Photo: Courtesy Adam Barrett
Adam joined the army as a 22-year-old in January 2010, and served for almost ten years with the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2014, and was medically discharged in late 2019.
“It was tough,” he said. “My dad was in the air force, and it kind of fed down the line. I always wanted to join the army, and ever since I was a kid I knew I was going to join.
“I struggled when I got home [from Afghanistan] and I struggled even more when I got out of the army.
“I went from a job where I had purpose and a sense of pride to civilian life … and it was hard.
“I wanted to find a mature-age apprenticeship as a fitter and turner … and then COVID hit.
“I really struggled because I couldn’t find a job, and then I found purpose in this motorbike.”
Adam turned his garage into a workshop and rebuilt the Harley with the tools he had on hand. Photo: Courtesy Adam Barrett
Determined to turn his life around and pay tribute to his two mates, Adam turned his garage into a workshop and set about learning how to strip back and rebuild the Harley with the tools he had on hand.
“When I found it, it wasn’t running, and it hadn’t been ridden since 2017, and it gave me that purpose that I was looking for,” he said.
When he began sharing his journey online, other veterans started reaching out and sharing their own stories.
“I’ve been very fortunate that people have resonated with my story, and it’s just been beautiful to be honest,” he said.
“I was blown away [by the support] … And it made me realise that there was a bigger issue with veteran suicide that needed to be spoken about.”
Adam named the motorbike "Pop Smoke" - slang for throwing smoke grenades as a means of cover during battle. Photo: Courtesy Adam Barrett
Wanting to use the motorbike as a conversation starter, he called it “Pop Smoke” – slang for throwing smoke grenades as a means of cover during battle – hoping to encourage people to reach out for help and offer assistance to others.
“I just wanted to do my part to remember them, but also to start the conversation and to get the word out there for mental health and especially veteran mental health,” he said.
“And that’s why I called the bike Pop Smoke, to say let’s go for a ride or go and hang out; let’s go pop smoke and go together.”
He decided to ride the bike to the Memorial in memory of all those who had suffered in war.
Adam Barrett and his mate Nate Punchy and Memorial Director Matt Anderson, centre.
Adam Barrett and his mate Nate Punchy while visiting the Memorial.
“The bike is my sculpture to not only two of my friends, but to the broader community that have suffered, and to the people who have sadly taken their lives,” he said.
“It’s been a journey, but I met so many people along the way, old and young, and it’s been very humbling to hear them …
“When I tell them I rode from Townsville, they’re blown away, and when I tell them what I’m trying to achieve, they give me a big thank you, and some dudes give me a big hug …
“It’s all about checking in on a mate, or reaching out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while …
“You can lend an ear. Help them find their purpose. It might be that little bit of encouragement that someone needs to keep going…
"And it could just save a buddy’s life.”
Defence All-hours support line – The All-hours Support Line (ASL) is a confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1800 628 036.
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling Service provides free and confidential counselling and support for current and former ADF members and their families. They can be reached 24/7 on 1800 011 046 or visit the Open Arms website for more information.
DVA provides immediate help and treatment for any mental health condition, whether it relates to service or not. If you or someone you know is finding it hard to cope with life, call Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or DVA on 1800 555 254. Further information can be accessed on the DVA website.