Members of the Border’s veteran community urge former service personnel not to struggle alone but speak up and make use of the assistance on offer.

Hume Veterans’ Information Centre chairman Kevyn Williams said veterans from more recent conflicts too often refused to discuss any issues.

“They look for excuses not to talk about their problems,” he said. “They’re veterans who have experienced drastic things overseas, it’s even hard for them to talk to their wives about it.

“So therefore they try and hide it and all of a sudden it all comes to a head and they end up going off the rails or they try to mask it with alcohol and other things.

“It’s trying to get them to understand that they aren’t alone, there’s people out there that can help them.”

Retired Warrant Officer, Class 2, Dennis Ramsay, of Baranduda, said groups like the RSL, Legacy, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Soldier On, Mates4Mates and Wounded Warrior all existed to assist veterans.

But Mr Ramsay placed most importance on each individual trying to adapt to a new life.

“We have to readjust and recondition ourselves,” he said. “Ourselves – Defence doesn’t do it, DVA doesn’t do it, and it all comes down to being motivated to get in there and do it yourself.

“If you don’t have that drive, you’re not going to go anywhere.”

Mr Ramsay’s wife, Karen, said Defence spouses also needed support as that way of life could be tough.

“Your choice is taken out of your hands once you marry the military,” Mrs Ramsay said. “Where you live, sometimes it’s very difficult to work depending on where you’re living, you get moved every two to three years, so that can be challenging with building a career. You’ve got to be very independent and be prepared to get to know new people and be a bit outgoing because otherwise you don’t last very long.”

The challenges don’t end when the member leaves the Defence Force.

“Dennis is a very positive person, we’ve been very lucky but there’s other families that struggle,” Mrs Ramsay said.

“We have our moments.

“It’s important that people feel like they’re important in society, you know, and they’re achieving things.”

MARSHMALLOWS, of all things, can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder for Dennis Ramsay.

“When I was moving body bags with children in it, the bags felt like marshmallow packets; they were cold, they were warm, that’s one of my PTSDs,” he said.

The retired Warrant Officer, Class 2, now lives in Baranduda but had spent 25 years in the army, completing tours of East Timor (twice), Iraq and Afghanistan.

A double amputee after nearly dying from a serious infection in 2008, Mr Ramsay still endures some difficult nights.

“Bad dreams, noises in the background I can hear that wake me up and sound like certain things,” he said. 

But being able to identify and talk openly about PTSD issues had aided his recovery.

“You need to tell your partner honestly what’s going on so they can help you,” he said. “You have to be prepared to take your time.”

Mr Ramsay emphasised the importance of people accepting assistance and being proactive.

“Veterans need to work together as a unit too because we’ve all been through it,” he said. “But the member has to be willing to stand up, and go hand on their heart and say ‘I need help’.”

Being active, playing sport and getting involved in the community could all assist.

“My comment would be look after yourselves, look after your family, look after your mates,” Mr Ramsay said.

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