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Mark Direen

Veterans Reference Group 

Born and raised in Hobart, Tasmania, Mark Direen has lived a life that reflects a deep commitment to service, authenticity, and community engagement. Mark enlisted in the Australian Regular Army at 18, following a year in the Army Reserve, and after his initial Infantry training, he was posted to the First Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) in Townsville. While serving as an infantry sniper, he was selected to join the elite Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) in 1997, where he spent over a decade specialising in military skills including mobility operations, sniping, personal protection duties, special reconnaissance and training of local indigenous forces.

Mark’s military service includes high-stakes deployments across East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as Operation Gold at the Sydney Olympic Games. Known for his leadership under extreme pressure, Mark sustained serious injuries in Afghanistan in 2007. However, his determination led him back to active duty just six months later deploying back to Afghanistan three more times. After transferring to the Army Reserve, Mark continued to apply his expertise in high-risk environments, notably as a team leader and security manager at the Australian Embassy in Kabul between 2009 and 2016.

Today, Mark channels his unique experiences into his work as Director of Point Assist, a Hobart-based organisation he founded to promote personal development through the sharing of lived experience. His book, What’s the Point? and his Point and Shoot Australian Veteran Photo Exhibition are testaments to his dedication to capturing and sharing stories of resilience. Mark’s brand, Dog Tag Whiskey, launched in 2021, has further extended his commitment to honouring Australian service members, gaining recognition for its strong sense of mateship and remembrance.

Now an adventurer, photographer, author and small business director based in Hobart, Mark brings practical insight and a unique storytelling approach to his role on the advisory board, fostering connections between lived experience and positive community impact.