Collaboration and communication key for a connected ESO sector

At the latest ESO Forum held in Brisbane, more than 100 attendees from 51 organisations across the ex-service organisation sector came together to collaborate and share insights around the support provided to veterans and their families.

Katie Maloney, General Manager Partnerships and Engagement, RSL Queensland, Brendan Cox, CEO, Legacy Brisbane, Margaret Jenyns, Head of Veteran Services Support, RSL Queensland, Teena Blewitt PSM, DVA Deputy Secretary, Taskforce on Wellbeing Agency and Peak Body, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Janelle Poole APM MP, Assistant Minister for Community Safety, Defence Industry, Veterans and North Queensland, Queensland State Government, Troy Watson, Deputy CEO – Veteran Services, RSL Queensland, Kahlil Fegan DSC AM, Australia's Repatriation Commissioner

Throughout the day, presentations and updates placed a key emphasis on veterans’ health and wellbeing and the priority functions and scope of the Peak Body for the ESO sector. Those in attendance heard from: 

• Janelle Poole APM MP, Assistant Minister for Community Safety, Defence Industry, Veterans and North Queensland – Queensland State Government  

• Teena Blewitt PSM, DVA Deputy Secretary, Taskforce on Wellbeing Agency and Peak Body – Department of Veterans’ Affairs 

• Kahlil Fegan DSC AM, Australia's Repatriation Commissioner 

• Brigadier Giles Cornelia DSM CSM, Commander 7th Brigade 

• Katie Maloney, General Manager Partnerships and Engagement – RSL Queensland 

• Margaret Jenyns, Head of Veteran Services Support – RSL Queensland 

• Brendan Cox, CEO – Legacy Brisbane 

The intent of the ESO Forums is to connect government and community and service organisations together to discuss opportunities and share learnings to improve support for the veteran community more broadly. Notable insights from the Forum included: 

Janelle Poole APM MP, Assistant Minister for Community Safety, Defence Industry, Veterans and North Queensland reiterated that the relationship between the state government and the ESO community was important to ensuring the needs of veterans and their families are heard.

“We’re committed to open and honest communication to ensure the veteran community is supported.”

Brigadier Giles Cornelia DSM CSM, Commander 7th Brigade 

Teena Blewitt PSM Deputy Secretary, Taskforce on Wellbeing Agency and Peak Body, DVA shared an update on the consultation process being led by the DVA Taskforce regarding both the ESO Peak Body and the proposed Wellbeing Agency following the recommendations in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. 

Further updates can be found on the Taskforce on Wellbeing Agency and Peak Body webpage.

Australia’s Repatriation Commissioner Kahlil Fegan DSC AM highlighted how his role is here to support, engage and consult with the veteran community to best represent it with DVA, and the value of collaboration, communication and co-operation between ESOs. 

“Most of my time is spent consulting and engaging with the veteran community – so I know how to represent you.”

“For veterans we acknowledge that yes, some may have been impacted, but we can also acknowledge the value that service has had in our communities.” 

“You [ESO Forum attendees] really are a personification of the people we have in the veteran community, thank you for all that you do.”

Kahlil Fegan DSC AM, Australia's Repatriation Commissioner

RSL Queensland General Manager – Partnerships and Engagement Katie Maloney said the ESO Forum once again provided an opportunity for the sector to come together, align efforts and work collectively to support veterans and their families.

“We have seen tremendous growth in our ESO Forums since we began delivering them in 2016. What we’re seeing each time we come together is that not only are we aligned with one core purpose – to support veterans and their families, but more often than not we’re seeing partnerships formed between organisations to provide holistic support to the veteran community,” Ms Maloney said.

“It’s collaboration like this that really highlights how we can maximise the collective strengths of the industry to help those who need it most. This type of coordinated support helps empower veterans and their families for long-term success.

“No one ESO is able to provide all the support or assistance a veteran or their family may need at every stage of their Defence journey – it’s about tapping into other organisations in the sector who are equipped and capable of delivering that support when needed.”

The next RSL Queensland and Legacy Brisbane ESO Forum is set to be held in November 2025.