Hub for our Heroes: Mackay veterans’ support must continue

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has sought a 12-month extension to hand down its interim report because not even the highest levels of government understood the struggle our returned service men and women face. Let that sink in.

Future generations of Mackay veterans will benefit from the work two men have spearheaded over the past 13 months to secure better access to critically needed support.

Ken Higgins and Dr Peter Wirth have rallied and secured funding for their projects, united in the common goal of supporting returned service men and women, and first responders.

A $5m windfall will be allocated to plans to revive an RSL in Mackay and PTSD Frontline’s Kinchant Dam veterans retreat in due course.

The pair’s plans were exclusively detailed in a series of powerful stories under the Hub for our Heroes campaign launched on the Daily Mercury online and in print in the Courier-Mail.

The campaign sought to expose the alarming number of veteran suicides, and curb that rate – even if slightly.

It remains a grim reality that former service men and women – those who have served in the armed forces – and emergency professionals and first responders are among the most at risk of suicide.

The national conversation has pivoted towards exploring why that is, and fundamentally the number of those ranks we have lost because of lacking mental and emotional support.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide that launched in July 2021 was to release an interim report by August this year but it has been pushed back 12 months to “thoroughly review the complex matters” exposed through the hearings.

More than 1400 submissions have so far been made; the breadth of the issues plaguing our defence force personnel alarming the commissioners.

“This inquiry is urgent. The terrible toll of suicide is always front of mind and we Commissioners are determined to do all we can to improve, and indeed save, lives – as quickly as possible,” Commissioner Nick Kaldas said just last week.

That statement speaks volumes about the dire steps we as a community and, more broadly a country, need to take to support the people who have served on front lines in all definitions.

What remains abundantly clear is a social thread connecting these people – a place they feel comfortable and supported – is vital to helping generations of people who have given selflessly to community and country.

Where they can expect understanding without explanation.

And for some, that is a revived RSL club. For others, it will be a retreat at Kinchant Dam where not just the first responders or veterans can access support, but so too can their families.

What makes a revived RSL a viable option is the lessons learned from past iterations.

Mackay’s RSL closed in 2006 after a series of factors including financial issues, a tightened market and its landlocked position in the CBD led to its demise.

Its future, be it an RSL club by name or in spirit, will find a new home as part of the city’s waterfront redevelopment from ReNew Mackay, with the award-winning Harrup Park Country Club on board to steer its commercial operations.

Frontline PTSD’s wellness centre, less than 40km west of the city, recognises the role families can have in curbing alarmingly high suicide rates in veteran ranks and embraces that in all elements of support needed.

The federal government’s $5 million is a welcome boost to the projects, 13 months since it was first put on political radars seeking support from multiple levels of government.

Mackay services march in Anzac Day 2021 parade

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Credit where it is due, former Dawson MP George Christensen backed the plans early on, with that support now picked up by his potential replacement in the Nationals, Andrew Willcox who said it took a beer with Mr Higgins at Harrup Park to get on board.

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry says she came on board in recent months.

An election and potential change of government should not put at risk the support the region’s veteran community has fought to secure.

This Anzac Day, we will again pause to reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in past conflicts, and those who still serve.

That recognition should not last for a day. The need to support the men and women who fought for our country and freedoms should last more than a political announcement.

Or an election campaign.