Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner

17/12/2025

It’s 10.59pm (1.59pm Kyiv time) and I’m about to dial into my first international Knowledge Exchange Event: “Policies and practices to strengthen targeted support to veterans and their families in Ukraine”

As Ukraine develops its support mechanisms for veterans and families of veterans, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), has organised this event so that Ukrainian practitioners can draw from our experiences across the world. It’s also a great way for me to learn about what other policy practices, service provision and physical and mental health supports are working from countries like Canada, France, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

I’m a little bit nervous, but I’m also really excited to be able to help Ukraine at this crucial time by sharing the work Australia does in supporting families of veterans through the Veteran Family Commissioner role - and just as importantly, the things we could have done better and the lessons we’re learning along the way.

Wish me luck!

15/12/2025

Words fail, but support is available.

If someone is experiencing mental health distress, or you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health, contact:

- Lifeline (24/7) crisis support 13 11 14
- Open Arms (24/7) crisis support and counselling for current and former ADF members and their families 1800 011 046
- Kids Helpline (24/7) support for children or young adults 1800 55 1800
- Beyond Blue (24/7) for mental health advice and support 1300 22 4636
- Mental Health Line (24/7) for advice and connection to specialist mental health services 1800 011 511
- Transcultural Mental Health Line (Monday to Friday, 9am – 4.30pm) 1800 648 911.
- 13YARN (24/7) led by, co-designed by, developed and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 13 92 76

Lifeline has also produced a Wellbeing Support guide: https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/support-toolkit/techniques-and-guides/bondi-beach-incident-wellbeing-support-guide?q=bondi-incident

Thank you to all the defence personnel currently supporting the relief effort 🖤

Guidance for those impacted by the Bondi Beach attack on 14 December 2025. Understand common reactions, find coping strategies, and access help.

12/12/2025

At the 2025 Veteran Family Forum in September, we heard feedback from families that we needed to focus on better outcomes for our children and young people. I'm pleased to share that the team from Open Arms and I have been collaborating across the Department and with external stakeholders to review the Open Arms Model of Care to better meet the needs of veteran children and our young people.

Open Arms has engaged a specialist consultant to commence a mental health needs-based service planning and design project commencing January 2026. Alongside the Model of Care review, Open Arms is investing in a tailored workforce capability uplift to equip staff with specialised skills for working with children and families. This will improve access for children, strengthen early intervention and support a trauma and military informed approach to better support families of veterans.

To further enable this work, a recent amendment to the Treatment Principles has allowed Open Arms to expand the Outreach Program network to include a broader range of professionals to provide mental health and wellbeing services. The Open Arms team have told me that this expansion will increase the availability of suitably qualified professionals to provide services to children and young people.

While we are only at the beginning of these reforms, I am excited about the direction and hopeful for the positive impact these will have on families of veterans. I look forward to sharing more updates as we go.

A huge shoutout to the incredible families who bravely and vulnerably shared their experiences in September - your voice is linking directly to positive change. And to the Open Arms team - thank you for your openness and creativity in finding solutions to those issues raised. It's not the whole answer, but it's a big step.

11/12/2025

In the December edition of Vet Affairs magazine, I took the opportunity to share a little more of my story, and my plans for my term.

You can read the whole newsletter here:
https://www.dva.gov.au/news/vetaffairs/vetaffairs-vol-41-no3-december-2025

08/12/2025

One of the hardest parts of accepting the Commissioner position was saying goodbye to my beloved Melbourne Legacy team. And I think, when you read this, you'll see why!

Thank you to the wonderful Kath Leech and Luisa Cardamone for taking the time to interview me, transcribe and write this article - and for all the amazing work you do with writing The Answer Magazine, a quarterly publication that goes out to 3,000 or so widows, mitigating loneliness and promoting connection throughout the incredible Victorian Legacy community.

And of course, always, thank you to Suzanne Shaw, my beautiful Legatee, for quite simply saving my life x

04/12/2025

I’m looking for someone amazing to join me and my awesome team to help me create a trusted, clear and community-centred voice for families of veterans.

To help bring that to life, I need someone who can shape our presence, grow our influence and make this office a one-stop point of truth that genuinely helps families with the tools to navigate their world and push for change.

I’m especially keen to find someone who’s energised by storytelling, media, strategy and real community impact. I want this movement to be transparent, and our progress to be tracked - our community deserves nothing less.

If this is you, or someone you know, please apply here: https://lnkd.in/dZSFjv2M

And please share far and wide!

📸 Photo credit: 2025 Families of Veterans' Roundtable, Families of Veterans Guild

03/12/2025

Last week, Kahlil and I spent the morning with the RSL State Branch CEOs.

As someone who has spent the last nearly decade of my life volunteering and working for multiple ESOs, it's still very hard for me to drop the "we", when it comes to talking about the ESO community.

Together, "we" discussed big visions and practical actions, and I feel pretty excited about the direction the RSL seems to be starting to head... Which is not something I've always been able to say.

Thanks for hosting us, for so openly allowing me to be honest about my frustrations and expectations, and for the clear passion and care from everyone in the room.

01/12/2025

Still on cloud nine after last week's Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards!

Often in this community, we spend our time together having difficult conversations, identifying gaps, and pushing for change, but last Monday night we had the opportunity to pause all that and simply spend time together celebrating the incredible achievements of some exceptional humans.

Congratulations to Emily Pyke, RSL Queensland, Venita, Wilson Security Military and Emergency Services Health Australia, Human Quotient Group, NSW Office for Veterans Affairs, Savannaha Wells and Taylor Cowell, and all of the nominees!!

And, of course, thank you to Matt Keogh, Garth Callender, Penelope Twemlow the Veterans Employment Program team for the brilliant work you all did in pulling the event together!

Right. Pause over. Back to work 💪

03/11/2025

Thank you for your service…

I enjoyed the chance to meet the new Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner Annabelle Wilson who has responsibility for providing strategic policy advice in the interests of veterans and their families.

Annabelle has extensive experience as the widow of a veteran and as the Chief Operating Officer of Melbourne Legacy.

I look forward to working with her to support families impacted by military service in the years ahead. Good luck in the important new role Annabelle!

02/11/2025

Kokoda Day | 3 November

On November 3 – Kokoda Day, also known in Papua New Guinea as Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels Day, we honour the extraordinary Papua New Guinean locals who stood beside Australian troops along the Kokoda Track in 1942.

These “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels” carried the injured, shared what little they had, and guided Australian soldiers through steep, unforgiving country. Their strength, kindness, and courage under fire saved countless lives and built a bond between our nations that still endures.

In 1942, as the war edged closer to home, young Australians from the 39th Battalion, alongside Papuan soldiers from the Papuan Infantry Battalion, faced enormous challenges in the mountains of Papua. Together, they showed what courage, endurance, and mateship really mean.

When Australian forces finally returned to Kokoda village on 2 November 1942, it marked not only a turning point in the war, but a lasting symbol of unity, resilience, and shared humanity.

Today, we remember all who served and supported one another along the Kokoda Track — Australians, Papua New Guineans, and the families who carried the weight of their absence. Their legacy reminds us of what is possible when people stand together through adversity.

Learn more about the campaign and its legacy: https://www.awm.gov.au/papua-campaign/kokoda

Lest we forget. 🌺

02/11/2025

As Mental Health Month comes to a close, it’s an important reminder that support for veterans and their families is always available — every day of the year.

Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling provides free and confidential support to the entire Defence community — serving members, veterans, partners, parents, and children. Because when one person serves, the whole family serves too.

Whether someone is feeling overwhelmed, navigating change, or simply needs to talk, Open Arms is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When calling 1800 011 046, a professional counsellor will listen and provide support at a pace that feels right, helping to find the care that best fits each person or family.

Support includes:
• Free and confidential counselling (in person, by phone or video)
• Group programs that build connection and resilience
• Peer support from those who understand Defence life
• Practical tools and self-help resources at openarms.gov.au

Wherever someone is on their journey — serving, transitioning, or supporting a loved one — Open Arms is here to walk alongside them and their family.

📞 1800 011 046 (24/7)
🌐 openarms.gov.au



📸 Photo Credit: Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling

01/11/2025

🎉 Celebrating Defence & Veteran Kids this Children’s Week! 🎉

As Children’s Week wraps up, we’re shining a light on some of Australia’s quiet heroes — the children growing up in Defence and veteran families.

You’ve packed up homes, started new schools, made new friends, and stood tall through times apart from loved ones. You bring heart, humour, and hope wherever you go — and that strength deserves to be celebrated. 💛

This year’s Children’s Week theme, “Children have the right to a clean and healthy environment,” is a reminder that every child deserves a safe, supportive space to grow — including those who serve in their own way, through the families they’re part of.

To every Defence and veteran child: your story matters, your voice matters, and you make your community stronger every single day.

🌱 Here’s to you — for your resilience, your kindness, and your courage.

🔗 childrensweek.org.au