News & Media

AN expert panel has been assembled to teach the Mildura community about the upcoming Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Key figures of the ex-service community hosted a half-hour public discussion on Sunday, March 12, as part of an advanced screening event for the new film Living at Wallis Cinema.

The panel includes Director of Veteran’s Counselling Services Mark Pavilach and Mildura RSL’s manager of veteran services Paul Mensch, who joined Melbourne Legacy’s Adam Kent, and Defence and Veterans Legal Service lawyer Steven Baras-Miller.

Mr Pavilach said it was a good opportunity to be heard.

“Action is taken on these sort of meetings, it does go back to government decision-makers for funding and programs and whoever can get along from the community, especially defence and defence families would be very welcomed,” Mr Pavilach said.

The Royal Commission will hold hearings in Victoria in the second half of 2023, and this Sunday’s panel wants to support any person considering making a submission who has, or is close to someone who has, served in the Australian Defence Force.

Mr Mensch said any input from our local community could only be of benefit to every local veteran and their family.

“The interim report that was published in regards to the royal commission shows that they are not just taking it very seriously but digging into a whole range of different issues that are affecting veterans and their mental health,” Mr Mensch said.

Mr Baras-Miller said the film screening and panel discussion was not strictly limited to veterans, current service people or their families.

“The entire community would want get on board with it just to help start the conversation about mental health for ex-service people, or current service people, and get the word out there through the community as much as possible.”

The panel also highlighted the work currently underway in Mildura to support the ex-service community.

Mr Kent said he wanted to hear from Mildura locals about what they would like the royal commission to achieve.

The event began at 4.15pm on Sunday.

Anyone wishing to make a submission to the royal commission can do so, and submissions will be accepted until October 13, 2023.

Readers requiring urgent help can call Lifeline’s 24-hour number, 131 114. Anyone requiring crisis support can call Beyond Blue, 1300 224 636.

Article written by: Wade Stephens

Article provided by The Sunraysia Daily
https://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au