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RSL tore down barriers to full life

When Michael Osenbaugh walked into the Returned and Services League's Cockburn sub-branch, he began a new life.

It took him from the depths of stress and isolation into new ways to serve his community.

Mr Osenbaugh, 27, joined the army in 2006 and was sent to help restore order in East Timor, where a rebellion raged.

His company came under fire and Mr Osenbaugh to this day vividly recalls seeing enemy casualties. In late 2007 he was in Iraq where his unit was bombed and again subjected to fire.

He began to feel constantly tired and though he would not admit it at the time, became depressed and was bullied.

Eventually the pressure took hold and he was sent back to Australia for treatment. Soon afterwards, one of his friends was blinded in an enemy attack.

He later lost four mates when the battalion deployed to Afghanistan and he felt guilty, angry and frustrated about being at home.

After discharge in 2010, he shut himself away from the world.

Then in 2013 he realised he needed help and walked into Cockburn RSL.

Mr Osenbaugh said the RSL took him in and offered practical advice about how to seek help from the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

He now volunteers with the State Emergency Service, a bush fire brigade and at the Army Museum, speaks at schools, recently started a job as a truck driver and has regained his pride.