South Australian army veteran Sean Halfpenny to pay tribute to William Kibby and Millicent Dorsch in Veteran Shed mural

Afghanistan veteran Sean Halfpenny, who discovered painting during his recovery from PTSD, will pay tribute to two local heroes in a major artwork.

Afghanistan veteran turned hobby painter Sean Halfpenny will pay tribute to Adelaide military heroes Victoria Cross winner William Kibby and Millicent Dorsch, in a major mural he hopes will “do the people proud”.

The South Australian, who discovered painting while recovering from PTSD after he was discharged from the army in 2013, will spend the next couple of months on the project which will adorn the William Kibby VC Veterans Shed, in Glenelg North.

The veterans shed was one of 55 organisations to receive first round funding through the federal government’s $3.5m Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program, receiving $9923 for the work.

Afghanistan veteran Sean Halfpenny (left) will pay homage to local military heroes in his mural for the William Kibby VC Veteran’s Shed. Here he is posing with president Graham Matthews. Picture: NewsWire/ Dean Martin

Sketches of Mr Halfpenny’s work can be seen in the background. Picture: NewsWire/ Dean Martin

While Mr Halfpenny has yet to finalise the piece, he said the mural would be “very inspired by local people that served in past conflicts”, such as Ms Dorsch.

The army nurse died at sea during an evacuation trip from Singapore following Japanese invasion in 1942,

However, the ship was attacked by Japanese warships somewhere near Bangka Island, Indonesia.

“She never received a VC, but the actions that she was involved in, it gives you goosebumps,” Mr Halfpenny told NewsWire.

“A lot of the nurses that survived the bombing, washed up at shore, and then they were taken as prisoners of war.

“Just to have an image inspired by her, that potentially could be there for years and years and years … I think it’s pretty important.”

Kibby, a Glenelg soldier who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross after he died in action at the Battle of El Alamein in 1942, is a more well known-figure.

William (Bill) Kibby was awarded the Victorian Cross for his actions at the Battle of El Alamein in 1942. Picture: Australian War Memorial

Australian nurse Millicent Maria Dorsch. Picture: Australian War Memorial

Speaking about his own experience with PTSD, Mr Halfpenny said while he realised “something was different” after he was discharged from the army at the rank of lance corporal in 2013, the full impact of his trauma didn’t manifest until the birth of his son in 2018.

“It wasn’t until I had kids that I realised that it was a lot of guilt. I felt like I should have stayed and helped the kids over in Afghanistan, (and then) knowing that my kids have got such a nice future here in Australia,” he said.

Mr Halfpenny discovered painting after he sought help from the Jamie Larcombe Centre.

He said the activity helped him relax and gives him “a bit of purpose”.

“This project isn’t something for me to make money off, but it’s super important to me and hopefully I can do the people (who are part of that shed) proud,” he said.

“I’m a veteran from the area and I’m inspired by veterans and the locals who served in massive conflicts, so this means a lot.”

Sean Halfpenny with his painting Gentle Soldier which was highly commended at the Napier Waller Art Prize. Picture: Supplied

While he’s not a professional, for now, in 2024 Mr Halfpenny’s painting Gentle Soldier was highly commended in the Napier Waller Art Prize, with the piece now on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh stressed the importance of remembering the Australians who “have put on Australia’s uniform and those that have made the supreme sacrifice”.

While he said the $3m grants program was “always oversubscribed,” he encouraged organisations to apply to the next round of funding which closes on February 5.

“It’s wonderful to see all of the different programs where people are applying because they recognise and understand the importance of commemorating and holding the flame for the memory of those that have passed in service, but also those that have suffered from injuries, visible and invisible, as we go forward as a community together,” he said.

Originally published as South Australian army veteran Sean Halfpenny to pay tribute to William Kibby and Millicent Dorsch in Veteran Shed mural