The past few weeks have been significant for our community and for all Australians. With the Royal Commission’s report now public, we’ve reached the end of a major chapter, but our real work starts now. Following the lead of the amazing women who built our organisation, we’ve got to push for change.

We need to keep talking about the Royal Commission’s findings and tell Australians about the daily sacrifices made for their peace and freedom. The commission’s report isn’t just a set of recommendations; it details the lived experiences and struggles of countless individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation. The system has let many veterans and their families down. Australians expect their veterans and their families to be supported. The 122 recommendations from the Royal Commission must lead to real change at all levels of the system and it isn’t just for Defence and DVA to do this. It is for all of us.

Australia needs to stand by its veterans and their families for everything they’ve done. Without their service and commitment, the freedoms and security we enjoy today would not be possible.

In the past, these issues haven’t gotten enough attention. Only now are Defence and the government starting to see the link between service and suicidality. This lack of attention has caused untold suffering and hardship for many. Some people have waited over 25 years to be heard. Their stories can make the system better. Their willingness to share painful and personal experiences is a testament to their resilience and courage. These brave individuals are the true champions of change, and their voices must continue to be heard.

The evidence from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide shows how important veterans’ families are in preventing suicide and suicidality. Despite their vital role, there is limited relief offered for veterans’ families. Families are the backbone of our community, providing the first line of support and care for veterans. Their role is indispensable, and their contributions must be acknowledged and valued. We have already been advocating for more support, recognition and inclusion, and our efforts are strengthened by the evidence the Royal Commission presents in its final report.

Now more than ever, we must show solidarity and commitment. This is our collective moment to make a difference, to turn the tide, and to forge a brighter future for our veterans and their families. Together, we can build a system that truly honours and respects their service, a system that provides hope and healing, and a system that stands by our veterans and their families. Let us rise to this challenge and be unwavering in our pursuit of change.

Want to get involved? Contact our Lead Advocate, Renee Wilson at ceo@fov.org.au. 

The post Royal Commission, what is next? first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

As the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide held its closing ceremony on 28 August, our CEO, Renee Wilson, shared her thoughts and reflection on the closing ceremony in a thought provoking article ‘3-2-1 Go’.

3-2-1 Go

The message on Wednesday was clear – the Defence and Veteran support system isn’t meeting the expectations of the Australian community.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide fundamentally saw an examination of the Defence and Veteran systems by those from outside the system. For far too long the system has been reviewing itself and discounting reviews undertaken by external bodies, all 57 of them.

Australians, like the Commissioners themselves, the staff , the Solicitors and Barristers alike saw what was happening within our system. They saw what has been happening for decades and said very simply – not good enough – do better.

For those of us in the system we are used to having our hearts broken by reviews that go no where and change taking place at such glacial speed that it is easier to simply give up rather than keep going to access what is needed, access entitlements and make change.

But the feeling yesterday at the Ceremonial Close of the Royal Commission was different. It was different because you could feel the weight of the history. You could feel the weight of all of the lived experiences shared, and you could sense the baton passing from the Royal Commission to all of those in the room with the power to do something.

Powerful insights were shared by those from outside the Defence and Veteran system as they reflected on what they saw over the last three years. Reflections like this from Commissioner Kaldas:

“The men and women of the ADF have done all we ever asked of them. They have worn the uniform, many have gone where angels fear to tread, and too many have paid a very dear price, up to the ultimate sacrifice. Our nation is indebted to them and that debt must be now be repaid”

While the Commission may have closed yesterday – its work continues and it continues through each and every person, organisation and institution who now has to step up and keep the momentum going – because if we don’t we have failed.

We need real, fundamental and systemic reform following this Commission because we now know everything in painful and confronting levels of detail which obligates us to come together and act.

The Commission has demonstrated the power of independent external oversight and inquiry. This must continue because without it there can be no accountability and no check and balance on the Defence and Veteran system. A lack of this oversight is what got us here in the first place and it will keep us here unless the Australian community can continue to see what is and isn’t happening. Australians expect their veterans and their families to be looked after and supported.

The next steps on this journey will be taken by true leaders. It will take leaders at all levels of government the system and the community. It will be the leaders that will forge the path for those that come after, and I think we may finally have enough of them in the system now to rise above the noise and take action. While the Defence Minister may have said a few months ago, history will judge us – history will be made by those that stand now for our veterans and their families.

Will you?

In the words of Commissioner Brown “3-2-1 go.”

– Renee Wilson, CEO Families of Veterans Guild & veteran spouse.

The post Our CEO’s reflection on the Royal Commission Closing ceremony first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

For those of us in the veteran community and who have lived through the system and it\’s impacts, there isn’t much new in here. For the Australian public however, I imagine there was a lot new. Perhaps even a realisation that the system isn’t fit for purpose and fails to meet community expectations. I myself still remember sitting in my GP’s office as she is building me a mental health plan and seeing the shock on her face when I advised her that support for me as the spouse of a veteran was limited to open arms and that I didn’t want to deal with their red tape I just needed help.

Veteran families too need help and support

Veteran families need to be at the centre of the system, because they are the heart and the solution. But they too need help and support. They too need streamlined access to services and have their needs met. If we are serious about reforming the system and better supporting our veterans, we must support those who support them. Because that’s what the Australian community expects.

The evidence provided to the Royal Commission has shown what we have known for some time. The veteran system is antiquate, unnecessarily complex and full of barriers. It leaves veteran families on the ‘front line’ of support with little to no support themselves in their own right. And, when the worst happens, the system is slow to respond, we have heard many stories of widows of suicide being left in a financial black whole while they await claims processing and widows who are left alone and unsupported because they are continually having death claims rejected.

Lack of support for children

Most critically, we have heard how the children of Afghanistan veterans in particular are bearing the burdens of their parent’s war service. Tragically 1,200 Australian veterans have been lost to suicide in the last two decades. The impact on their families is immense and the evidence the commission has heard to date shows this.

Yet there continues to be a lack of appropriate psychiatry, psychological and trauma recovery support for children under 15 and those over 18 who carry the burden of their parents’ death and believe they are responsible for their parent’s behaviour or death.

This is why we are advocating strongly for:

• the provision of appropriate psychology and psychiatry services for children of veterans
• the inclusion of veterans’ families within the reformed veteran support system; and
• the reestablishment of the National Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to ensure these difficult lessons only need to be learned once and, that the system is reformed and delivers what Australians expect.

The interim report has established what many of us know the veteran system has struggled to keep up with the changing needs of veterans and their families. But now is the opportunity to reform it.

We need to tell your stories

It is important to remember this isn’t the end of the Royal Commission’s investigation, but we need more evidence before it about your experiences. We need more widows and families to come forward and tell their stories. We can help you and link you with services that are established to help you provide your evidence and experience. Written submissions close in October 2023. Contact us on 02 9267 6577 or guild@warwidowsnsw.com.au to find out more.

You can also listen to a podcast by Life On the Line in which Afghanistan Veteran and Special Forces Operator Wes “H” Hennessey, host Alex Lloyd and I dissect the interim report and discuss the recommendations in detail.

– Renee Wilson, CEO AWW NSW

The post Royal Commission Update first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Over the past year, the Commission has received more than 1,900 submissions including our own, those of some of our members and within our community.

Our CEO Renee Wilson wrote an opinion article for The Sydney Morning Herald to share our position on the recommendations.

We believe that this report was an opportunity to drive meaningful change. But instead, it chose to focus on process and administration rather than on supporting the families at the heart of the system.

The system is outdated…it is simply ill-equipped to meet the needs of this generation of veterans and families.

As expressed in her opinion piece, Renee explained:

The 12-month backlog of claims is only one part of the problem of Defence and veteran suicides. The veterans’ system is outdated and in need of urgent reform. Hundreds of lives are at risk and the need for immediate action is now. Policymakers cannot afford to delay in helping this vulnerable community access the support and services it critically needs.

Families need to be at the heart of this reform because they are the heart of the community. They are very much the front line of mental and physical injuries and illnesses in the veteran community. The family support network is there for our veterans no matter what, yet this support network is not meaningfully engaged nor supported within the system.

We will continue to advocate for our members to ensure that their voices are heard during this important time for the community.

Read the entire opinion piece here.

The post FAMILIES NEED TO BE AT THE HEART OF REFORM first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

We are hosting an online Town Hall gathering on 31 August 2022 to discuss your thoughts on the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Importantly we want to learn more about the barriers you face in supporting yourselves, your loved ones, your families – this will help us identify your unmet needs. We would also like to explore how some of the barriers and issues you identify could be addressed.

This Town Hall is open to all families of veterans will focus on our second submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and the interim report.

Registrations are still open and close on 29 August 2022. Click here to register your attendance, call the office on 02 9267 6577 or email guild@warwidowsnsw.com.au.

It is important that we stand together to have our voices heard. Your voice is important and it will be heard.

Australian War Widows NSW CEO Renee Wilson wrote an opinion article recently for The Sydney Morning Herald to share our position on the interim report recommendations.

We will continue to advocate for our members and veteran family community to ensure that their voices are heard during this important time for the community.

The post Calling all families of veterans first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

As a member of this group, we join partner organisations from around the veteran community, exploring the issues the Commission is examining and testing ideas. The Royal Commission wants to hear what you are thinking, they want your feedback.

Over the coming months we will be reaching out to get your views to help guide the Commission.

The Reference Group is seeking to meet Bi-Monthly. This month’s homework is to identify international veteran and family-based initiatives, programs, services and suicide monitoring and prevention approaches that may be of interest to the Royal Commission. We are aware of some but would also like to know what you are thinking. Please feel free to share your ideas below or send them to ceo@warwidowsnsw.com.au

The post Representing your views at the heart of the Royal Commission first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.