2024 was a significant year for the Defence and veteran communities, most notably with the release of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Moving into the new year is an opportunity to reflect on our impact and evolution in support of our Defence and veteran community.
The final analysis and recommendations of the Royal Commission were a sobering reminder of the challenges that we face as a broader community in supporting our serving and transitioned personnel. Along with many other ex-service organisations, the Trust worked closely with the Commissioners and secretariat to ensure that current knowledge and critical data would inform the inquiry. We know that there is much more work to do and a long journey ahead of us all to support those who have given service and sacrifice in the national interest. The inquiry’s recommendations and the government’s substantial response are positive steps towards this, and the Trust will continue to work with the Defence and Veterans’ Affairs departments to fulfil our role in the reforms to policy, support, and care.
Concurrently, 2024 also saw reform to the organisation, in both its strategic approach and an operational plan and structure to implement our objectives. Recognising the unique, finance-focused service that we provide, and the criticality of effective operations, the Board of Directors and executive management have worked extensively throughout the year, starting in January with a broad and substantial review of beneficiary-needs, the policy landscape, and the operating environment. We have developed and implemented a number of key reforms to enhance our structure, plan and processes. Not least of these was the evolution of the financial counselling pilot into a full financial capability program, addressing a substantial demand and the clearly beneficial need for proactive measures in the veteran finance sphere. We continue to see an enormous benefit in increasing the services available in financial counselling, literacy and education; getting ahead of an issue before it becomes one. It is a resonant reform and a clear vindication of the empower and enable model.
During the year the immediate-past Chair stepped down from the Board to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer. Garth Callender’s knowledge and leadership in the veterans’ space is a significant asset to the organisation and has ensured both seamless and enhanced operation of the Trust’s beneficiary operations and enterprise performance. He is a tireless worker, and effective leader and we are fortunate to have him. I would like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing CEO Belinda Wilson for her work in leading and growing the organisation during her tenure and wish her the best into the future. We were also grateful for the service of outgoing Deputy Chair Cheryl Cartwright. Their contributions were significant and greatly appreciated. Congratulations to John Velegrinis for his appointment as Deputy Chair. I also take this opportunity to thank Vicky Carlson, Simon Matthews and Brett Dowsing for their ongoing and remarkable energy, enthusiasm, and wisdom, and acknowledge the quiet yet indispensable work of our Board committees.
Within Bravery Trust, as in life, our relationships are more than important. They motivate us, sustain us, and bless us. We remain more than fortunate to have substantial and positive relationships with our corporate and government stakeholders, as well as a community of dedicated staff, patrons, ambassadors, volunteers and supporters, each of whom continue to contribute in their own way, embracing our values and our mission to support those serve and have served. That we have evolved in 12 short years from a small team providing last-minute aid to mostly younger veterans, to a fully developed, nationally recognised, professional and specialist provider for financial capability and assistance, is testament to the efforts of many.
Moving into 2025 and forward generally we will, with your continued and critical support, keep doing what we are doing to make the lives our servicemen and women, their families, and the wider community, better.
