Veterans open up about transition to civilian life ahead of the Royal Commission

THE Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is presently taking submissions. Last Monday Defence and Veterans Legal Service lawyer, Steven Baras-Miller (centre) visited the Hamilton RSL branch rooms to spend time with and give legal assistance to veterans about making a submission. Former Navy personnel and Hamilton RSL branch president, Danny Bland (left) and his wife and branch secretary, Belinda Lane (right) are both very open about their mental health struggles after being discharged from the Australian Defence Force. Photo: LARA FITZPATRICK.

By Lizzie Hallam

April 05, 2023 | 6:00 PM

HYPERVIGILANCE is key to programming new recruits into the Australian Defence Force (ADF), but it is reversing this mindset once discharged that presents the greatest challenge to veterans and their families.

Hamilton RSL president and ex-Navy veteran, Danny Bland, and his wife who is also ex-Navy and the branch’s secretary, Belinda Lane, are committed to running the local precinct as a warm and welcoming safe space for veterans.