A decade of collaboration and connection in the ESO sector

After a decade of official collaboration within the ESO community, the latest Queensland ESO Forum was held in Brisbane, with more than 100 attendees from a range of ex-service and veteran support organisations coming together to work towards a purposeful, united front when supporting veterans and their families. 

Throughout the day, presentations provided insights from key stakeholders across the sector – from state and federal government updates to a segment on highlighting moral injury – which focused on veterans’ and their family’s health and wellbeing.  

Those in attendance heard from: 

• Robert Skoda, CEO – RSL Queensland
• Megan Read, Executive Director – Veterans Queensland
• Tara Hatzismalis, Deputy Commissioner QLD – Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
• Annabelle Wilson, Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner – Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• Dr Nikki Jamieson, Founder – Moral Injury Australia
• Padre Gary Stone, Founder – Veterans Care Association
• Dr Andrew Khoo, Medical Director, Military & Veterans Programs – Ramsay Clinic New Farm
• Brendan Cox, CEO – Legacy Brisbane 

The focus of the ESO Forums is to bring together government, community, Defence and veteran support organisations to exchange learnings and explore new opportunities to strengthen the veteran community.

[From L - R] Dr Andrew Khoo, Medical Director, Military & Veterans Programs – Ramsay Clinic New Farm; Brendan Cox, CEO – Legacy Brisbane; Megan Read, Executive Director – Veterans Queensland; Tara Hatzismalis, Deputy Commissioner QLD – Department of Veterans’ Affairs; Dr Nikki Jamieson, Founder – Moral Injury Australia; Annabelle Wilson, Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner – Department of Veterans’ Affairs; Padre Gary Stone, Founder – Veterans Care Association; Robert Skoda, CEO – RSL Queensland; Daniel Bennett, Head of Government & RSL Branch Relations

Key insights that emerged from the Forum included: 

Megan Read, Executive Director of Veterans Queensland in the Queensland Government shared that the public consultation phase for the Queensland Veterans and Veterans' Families Strategy has now been completed, which included 12 in-person sessions across the state, two online sessions and more than 1,000 online survey responses.  

The consultation has captured the experiences of veterans and their families, helping to understand the gaps in services, support and opportunities for veterans and their families which the Strategy will aim to address. 

“Consultation has been focused on five key pillars that have been identified as areas for the state government’s focus; commemoration and recognition; community and sport; education and employment; health, housing and support; and veterans in business.” 

The State Government is aiming for the Strategy to be launched by mid-2026. Contributions can still be made by emailing Veterans Queensland at veterans@premiers.qld.gov.au 

Tara Hatzismalis, Deputy Commissioner Queensland, DVA provided an overview of recent updates from the Department, highlighting an enhanced co-ordination among ESOs to reduce barriers for veterans and their families.  

This included insights to the Taskforce on Wellbeing Agency and Peak Body and its key purpose which is “to build trust, establish place-based strategies, and simplify how veterans and families navigate the system.” 

Summaries on the consultation process are available on the DVA website.   

Other updates included a DVA-funded mental health literacy and suicide prevention training program, ‘Mental Health Protect’, open to all within the ESO community, and DVA’s ‘Making a Claim Campaign’ which is ensuring a “range of measures are in place to deter, investigate and respond to any alleged fraudulent or irregular claiming behaviour.”

Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner Annabelle Wilson earnestly shared her personal connection and passion for her role following her appointment in August 2025 and how her responsibility is to bridge lived experience and government policy to support military families “slipping through the cracks.”  

Commenting on her role’s Strategic Plan 2025-2030 and its focus areas that she aims to address, Ms Wilson said, “My vision is a system that shows up for families of veterans and empowers them to build safe and fulfilling futures.” 

The four focus areas are: 

1. Equity of eligibility and access 
2. Clarity and improvement of DVA services and supports for families 
3. Enhancement of ESO partnerships and supports 
4. Build life foundations and cultivate belonging 

RSL Queensland CEO Robert Skoda said the final ESO Forum for 2025 provided the opportunity for the community to “get a better understanding of where the challenges might be” when it comes to providing stronger support networks for veterans and their families. 

When looking towards the future for veteran support in Queensland, Mr Skoda said, “I hope we see a strengthened support model and a very consistent engagement with government and departments in government – a state where veterans and their families can move to and feel welcomed, feel supported, and feel integrated within their community.” 

The next RSL Queensland and Legacy Brisbane ESO Forum is set to be held in May 2026.