The legions of servicemen and women who have served our Nation at home and abroad deserve the highest possible acclaim, and they rightly hold a special place in the hearts of all Australians. Since my retirement from the Australian Army in 2012 after almost 40 years of service, I have found myself increasingly involved in activities related to the mental health of serving and former members of the Australian Defence Force, especially our veterans. This is a cause I feel very strongly about.

Of course, it is not only the sailors, soldiers and airmen of our armed forces who make sacrifices. The families of Service personnel have a very special role to play, whether it be by providing love and encouragement, or bearing the many burdens of Service life, or dealing with enforced separations, or worrying and waiting at home or, in some cases, picking up the pieces when tragedy strikes. Defence families are an unpaid and often unheralded component of our military capability, yet our armed forces would be virtually ineffective were it not for the unstinting support of their families and loved ones. My own wife Jane shared the experiences of tens of thousands of other military spouses, moving all over the country, caring for our sons in my many absences, juggling work and home duties, running the household and supporting me through thick and thin. I owe her a great debt, as do all those whose military service is quietly sustained by their family.

This is why I was so pleased to be asked to become Patron of the Australian Families of the Military Research Foundation. The Foundation was established to encourage and promote research, education and the advancement of health and well-being of partners and families of Australian military personnel. This goal will be achieved through the awarding of grants, scholarships, fellowships, prizes and awards; facilitating access to military families for researchers; and stimulating relevant policy development within Government agencies, veterans groups, ex-Service organisations and community health entities. I particularly applaud the fact that the Foundation will also contribute to improving outcomes in the areas of care and prevention of mental health and psychosocial problems. This is an area which has received too little attention for far too long.

I feel sure that the passion and commitment of all those associated with the Foundation will do much to further the welfare of partners and families of Australian military personnel. I am proud to be associated with this worthy endeavour.