Sandgate RSL Sub Branch president receives OAM

A man credited with saving hundreds of defence force veterans from committing suicide has been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Sandgate RSL Sub Branch president Peter McNamara has received an OAM for service to veterans and their families. Picture: Michelle Smith

A MAN credited with saving hundreds of defence force veterans from committing suicide has been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Sandgate RSL Sub Branch president Peter McNamara, who has been a member of the RSL since 1986, received a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for service to veterans and their families.

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Former RAAF veteran Nathan Moore of Bracken Ridge, who was part of the award nomination process, said Mr McNamara saved his life.

Sandgate RSL Sub Branch president and senior advocate Peter McNamara.

“Without him I wouldn’t be here today,” the 38-year-old man said.

“He’s made sure my PTSD and other injuries I’ve suffered through my ADF service have been covered and looked after.

“He’s put me in touch with assistance for mental health and had my claims accepted by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

“He takes a lot of young veterans on board and shows them the way. He’s an absolutely outstanding selfless man.

“He goes and puts 110 per cent into all his young vets and acts like a surrogate father. The number of people he has saved from suicide would number in the hundreds.

“His phone is open to me seven days a week. He rings me every couple of days to make sure I’m okay and if I’m not he’ll ring doctors and get me the help I need.

“Since then I’ve got married and he treats my wife like family. I’m really proud to call him a friend.”

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Mr McNamara said he was “excited and over the moon” about the recognition.

“I’m overwhelmed with it,” he said.

“I look back on what I’ve done to get it for the vets and their families, and it’s a bit sad that so many people needed help.”

Except for stopping to take congratulatory calls this morning, he said it was business as usual for him.

“When you’re in this game of helping people you can’t stop to get a pat on the back, it’s just motivated me to do more,” he said.

Mr McNamara served for 23 years in the army and discharged in 1995.

He has held several positions with the Sandgate sub branch including projects and grants officer, treasurer and vice president.

As well as being president, he is also welfare and pensions officer (since 2011), Brisbane North Region delegate (since 2015) and a Level 3 advocate (since 2013).

He has also been a member of the Mates4Mates program (since 2014) and provides pastoral care for veterans (since 1991).

Mr McNamara received a Lilley Australia Day Award in 2015.