Veteran Organisations

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (15:52): I rise today to speak about the importance of veteran organisations to this state and to our nation and the impact they have, not just on veterans but on veteran families. To honour those in our community who have served and to provide them and their families with the support and recognition they deserve is something we should all strive for as South Australians.

I am a proud legatee and have spoken about Legacy multiple times in this chamber. I am proud to work alongside and to be mentored by other legatees in the Berri Barmera area, such as Trevor Richardson, Doug Faerhmann, Kim Heuzenroeder, Greg Beech, Ron Lievin and others, who provide a tremendous service and wonderful support to the widows in our area.

The local Riverland branch of the Legacy Club of South Australia and Broken Hill held their annual general meeting and members' lunch in April of this year. When heading to the Cadell community club, I had the pleasure of escorting the wonderful Mrs June Plush and Mrs Vi Johnson, two long-term Legacy widows, on the hour-long journey each way. It was wonderful to listen to both June and Vi share such memorable stories on the drive to Cadell.

Despite a collective age of well over 180 years, their minds are as sharp as a tack and so many laughs were had as we collectively told stories about our veteran husbands and life as a military partner and wife. They opened my eyes to their experiences in the Riverland as young women, the challenges and opportunities they faced and the collective friendships they shared due to the need to support one another and through mutual understanding.

I always come home from volunteering at Legacy events feeling truly blessed to be able to spend time with women like Vi and June. Whether it is badge day, participating in the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay, hosting the Legacy junior public speaking national award finals right here in this place, or simply sharing a cup of tea and chat with widows and legatees, my heart always feels full at the end of our time together.

As the wife of a former Iraq War veteran, I understand the critical importance of organisations such as Legacy. Many Australian veterans organisations play a crucial role in supporting both former military personnel and those transitioning out of service. They also support the families along for the journey, like my own. These organisations include, of course, Legacy, but numerous others such as Soldier On, Open Arms, the Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA) and the iconic RSL (Returned and Services League of Australia).

There is an obvious role in preserving the legacy of military service and sacrifice, especially around key dates such as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day and Badge Day, but throughout the year they provide essential support services, financial assistance, health care, housing and employment support, advocacy, and assistance with accessing government benefits.

These not-for-profit organisations do their best every single day. They are organisations structured to provide mental health initiatives catering to the unique needs of veterans. Organisations like Soldier On and Open Arms are there for current service personnel, as well as those who have left the Defence Force, to help look forward and build pathways.

Everyone knows the RSL. They advocate to ensure veterans receive fair treatment and adequate resources through policy. This advocacy is essential for addressing systemic issues and improving the overall wellbeing of veterans. Fostering community and camaraderie is what these organisations are all about, and many lifelong friendships have been built through the likes of Legacy and the War Widows Guild.

However, I am also aware that there are those returned service personnel who feel conflicted and uncomfortable. They have scars from their service. They may have had marriage breakdowns in their absence or upon their return from deployment. Service life is not smooth. It is not always an easy path, hence the reason for such strong support organisations. I would like to acknowledge the work of Dave Petersen, President of the RSL SA/NT, for his work in this space, acknowledging the importance of looking after young veterans and those who fall through the cracks.

If there is one thing I think we do well in this place, it is the multipartisan way this chamber and the other place work together and across party lines to recognise and celebrate these veteran organisations. It is incredibly important that we foster these relationships and promote these organisations for the incredibly important work they do for our veteran community. As Abraham Lincoln once said:

Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause.