Female Veteran Forum helping shape future support for women in defence
Female veterans from across northeastern Victoria came to Wodonga yesterday with the aim to help chart a smoother transition to civilian life for women in defence.
The event at the Wodonga RSL Sub-Branch was part of RSL Victoria’s Female Veterans Forums, funded through the Federal Government’s Female Veteran Wellbeing and Empowerment grant, which have occurred across the state over the last three weeks. Events have been held at ANZAC House and in Bendigo, where local Federal MP Lisa Chesters attended.
Female veterans in Wodonga, like Stacey Bernardin, shared their experiences and ideas on how the RSL and other support agencies can assist women more specifically and effectively as they adjust to life after service.
“The transition from service is incredibly difficult and for many women it is made even harder given historically so much of the support mechanisms have been designed by and for men,” Ms Bernardin said.
“My own experiences when leaving the military were difficult, including feeling unsupported, uninformed, and isolated as I transitioned from service.”
The Wodonga event was covered extensively by 7 News, WIN News, ABC Radio (from 41:45) and the Border Mail.
RSL Victoria’s Rebecca Berg facilitated the sessions and says the forums will help shape the RSL’s support work.
“Last year’s Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran suicide made some really sobering findings around the experience of females in defence and how they move to the next phase of their life,” she said.
“RSL Victoria has taken pro-active steps to ensure female veterans are represented at state executive level, with two female veterans appointed in the last 18 months.
“But we know we must do more, and these forums are the next step in hearing directly from those that have the experience so we can build a support system that is more practical and successful in assisting female veterans.”
While acknowledging the shortcomings of the past, Ms Bernardin says things are improving, with the Wodonga RSL Sub-Branch one of the most progressive in Victoria.
“I am on the executive committee of the Wodonga RSL, which is something that was rare across Victoria a generation ago.
“We have been working hard to better engage with female veterans through our programs and have seen a positive shift in the general opinion of the RSL in our female veteran community.
“Last week we had 6 women participate in Exercise Second Watch, a veteran only initiative that connects past serving members with current ADF personnel. Additionally, today is another chance for our voice to be heard by government and the RSL State Branch.”
Assisting with the improved approach in the region is the RSL Veterans and Families Hub that celebrated three years of operation last weekend.
“The Wodonga hub has quickly become a state leader for veteran engagement,” Mrs Berg said.
“The learning from today will help us work with government to make sure the hub’s work is tailored for women who have left defence.”
Kerryanne Graham, an air force veteran and now a member of the Sea Lake RSL Sub-Branch took part in the Bendigo edition of the forum two weeks ago.
“As a veteran and part of a regional RSL, I’m in a position where I have seen both sides of that support systems,” Ms Graham said.
“Once upon a time, the RSL was not always a place where I felt welcome as a female veteran. Thankfully that has changed, but being able to talk today about experiences, and with a variety of perspectives of veterans of all ages and backgrounds, will help inform how we work as an RSL network in the future.”
Lisa Chesters, the Federal MP for Bendigo also attended, signalling the results of the forums will help shape government policy.
“This grant of $94,000 from the Veteran Wellbeing Grants Program is so important as it helps to empower and engage with female veterans in Bendigo to help develop strategies that assist individually and with family life.
“It’s so important that we listen to our female veterans lived experience so that we can better support them in our community
“Their lives, experiences and ideas for how we can better support veterans will also assist with the development of the Bendigo Veterans’ and Families’ Hub that I announced our Government will contribute $5 million towards the building of.”
