Yesterday, I couldn’t believe it - close to two hundred people showed up at peaceful gatherings in cities around Australia. We were respectful, we were peaceful, and we remembered them. 

We were veterans, broken by a system that needs fixing. We were family members, proudly wearing the faces of our lost brave sons and daughters on ty-shirts and placards. We were men and women who turned up on our own, and found family in this powerful community. 

I heard that in one cities, our peaceful Vets We Forget gatherings were met with anger and disrespectful behaviour from one or two individuals. I am so proud to know that in the face of such ugliness, we stayed respectful. This is the heart of our campaign. Everything we do, we do to honour the brave men and women we’ve lost too soon, and the thousands more who are still alive, and still need us. 

Today, I return to Parliament House for more meetings with Senators. I will update you all tomorrow on how these meetings have gone - but suffice to say, we are getting somewhere. We are being heard - and that’s because this incredible community of veterans and the Australians who love them are standing strong, and keeping respectful, as we call for this Royal Commission.

I would also like to take this opportunity to keep brave firefighters and volunteer firefighters in our hearts - today they face an extraordinary challenge and we know the impact these fires will have on their mental health. They deserve support too. 

Lest we forget, 

Julie-Ann Finney, proud mother of David Stafford Finney

If you or someone you know needs help, please phone Lifeline on 131 114, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.