South Australian veteran and defence families are being formally acknowledged today through a nation-first day of recognition in South Australia; ‘Veterans’ Families Day’ to be held each year, commencing today.
The aim of the day is to honour the strength and resilience of the spouses, partners, children, and other family members of current and past Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, who provide unwavering support and make significant sacrifices during and post-service.
East Timor and Afghanistan veteran Chris Tilley has welcomed the establishment of a new day of recognition.
The Murray Bridge resident settled down with his highschool sweetheart Jemma Tilley and their two young children to work at Mobilong Prison, helping to reform incarcerated veterans.
He says he thinks it is important to acknowledge family members for their sacrifices like uprooting their lives and changing careers and schools, as well as acknowledging the bereaved families of ADF members who never made it back.
“I can’t not say the ones who’ve actually lost service members, husbands, sons, daughters, wives, kids, I don’t think that’s been said enough for Veterans’ Families Day and I think we need to acknolwedge those families as well,” Chris Tilley said in an ARN Radio interview with Jennie Lenman and Adam Connelly.
Tilley is now working at Mobilong Prison and helping incarcerated prisoners to reform.
Hear more from Chris Tilley speaking with ARN’s Adam Connelly and Jennie Lenman via the podcast play window below:
