She Served AU

I joined VESPIIA to strengthen the visibility and advocacy of female veterans and the realities many have faced during and after service. In light of the current class action involving the ADF, it is more important than ever that women's experiences are acknowledged, heard, and represented.

The Institute provides a platform to contribute to that conversation while also advocating for the recognition of service animals, particularly Military Working Dogs, whose role in protecting Australian personnel has long gone under-recognised.

My work focuses on practical initiatives that support veterans and bring overlooked service into view. The Veteran Sandbox completed a 12-month trial at Bunbury Regional Hospital, providing sensory support for veterans in emergency departments, with plans to renew the pilot and work toward national rollout.

Through Veteran Digital Address, I am advocating with Australia Post for a national pathway allowing homeless veterans to maintain a secure mailing address and stay connected to essential services.

Dexter's Policy proposes formal recognition of Military Working Dogs as veterans, including a Purple Card within the existing DVA system to support veterinary care and welfare once they retire from service.

The She Spoke in Silence program will soon pilot an art therapy class in Bunbury with artist-in-residence Melissa Weston, creating a safe space for survivors to process and share their stories.

The sector must prioritise mental health responses for veterans, particularly how they present to emergency departments and how triage staff engage with them. Knowing what questions to ask — and what not to ask — can make the difference between a veteran receiving care or walking back out the door.

Secondly, the service of Military Working Dogs must be formally recognised. The ethos of military service has always been that no one is left behind, yet our four-legged veterans have largely been excluded from that recognition.

Third, in light of the current class action involving the ADF, there is a clear need for visible, trauma-informed, therapy-based spaces that allow survivors to process what is unfolding in the public sphere.

Finally, we must address the dignity and stability of homeless veterans through a national pathway like Veteran Digital Address, helping rebuild connection and independence.

One of the milestones I am most proud of was contributing to the expansion of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to include Local Observation Elements (LOEs). After persistent advocacy, seeing that pathway open was a defining moment.

Another major achievement has been the Veteran Sandbox, which recently completed a 12-month pilot at Bunbury Regional Hospital, demonstrating the potential for a practical, compassionate approach to stabilising veterans during acute mental health presentations.

A further highlight was meeting with Minister Matt Keogh in late 2025 to introduce Dexter's Policy. In February 2026, I submitted a structured policy proposal outlining feasibility, indicative cost projections, and a concept for a Purple Card within the existing DVA ecosystem.

One of the most important lessons I have learned is to never underestimate the power of lived experience. It becomes clear that lived experience is not anecdotal — it is essential knowledge.

Holding space for others to share their experiences is just as important. When we listen without dismissal and allow those experiences to inform policy, practice, and support systems, we begin to build something stronger and more responsive.