Veterans vigil on Monday night before looming Royal Commission rules deadline ends

The loved ones of veterans lost to suicide will gather on Monday evening in Adelaide to remember them, and make sure their voices are part of the Royal Commission.

Veterans who have taken their own lives and those still battling with poor mental health will be honoured at a special vigil in Adelaide Monday evening.

The vigil, organised by Blair Athol mother Julie-Ann Finney, aims to recognise the critical importance of including veterans voices, and those of their loved ones, in every aspect of the upcoming Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

“Having attempted suicide twice before, I have an understanding of what is out there and what needs to be fixed,” said former Army Warrant Officer Scott Jeffrey, 46.

“I have lost way too many close brothers and friends through suicide, and this might be our one and only chance to fix this issue,” he said. “That’s why the terms of reference need to be right to start with.”

A vigil is being held 6pm, Monday night, for veterans who have lost their lives and those still living through trauma. Attending are army veteran Scott Jeffrey, veteran mother Julie-Ann Finney and veteran wife Lidia Hall. Picture: Dean Martin

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was announced last month.

The deadline for public submissions into its terms of reference ends at 5pm on May 21. The terms of reference set out what the Royal Commission will cover and report on.

Mr Jeffrey will attend the vigil at 6pm, on Monday. By his side at the War Memorial, on North Tce, will be Lidia Hall, 54. She has been on suicide watch in the past for her recovering veteran husband.

“Veterans, partners and veteran children and grandchildren get Post Traumatic Stress Disorder too – I want this Royal Commission to help to end the generational cycle,” said Ms Hall.

Ms Finney, who has been lobbying for a Royal Commission since her naval officer son David Finney died from suicide two years ago, said: “Yes, a Royal Commission will be established, but it has to be correct.

David Finney, a navy officer who took his own life in 2019 after a battle with PTSD. Picture: Mike Burton

She has set up an “A-team” panel of 10 veteran lawyers, academics and subject experts, who are formulating a thorough and wide ranging terms of reference submission to ensure the Commission is independent, transparent, and targeted.

Meeting in Canberra last week, the Terms of Reference Advisory Group members include: Adelaide veteran policy advocate Tyson Potter, Karen Bird – mother of deceased veteran Jesse Bird, and retired Army Officer Stuart McCarthy.

A forum, being held on Tuesday at the Croydon RSL, will see SA veterans affected by suicide and their families discuss what they want the Royal Commission to investigate. The forum has been organised by Ms Finney, Adelaide MP Steve Georganas and opposition veteran affairs spokesman Shayne Neumann.

Mr Georganas said: “It is time we all need to stop thinking we know what veterans need and instead start listening to what veterans are saying.”

Mr Neumann said: “We can’t have this Royal Commission railroaded by narrow terms of reference that won’t redress the issues that are really here,” he said.

For help call Open Arms Veteran and Families counselling on 1800 011 046 or ADF Mental Health All Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036.