Guy Barnett,Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is committed to supporting Tasmania’s veterans and ex-serving personnel and honouring the sacrifice of our servicemen and women.
This Sunday, 1 December 2019, is the 77th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Armidale and the extraordinary bravery of Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean.
Sheean is one of Tasmania’s best known servicemen. His actions onboard HMAS Armidale during the Second World War are considered by many in the veterans’ and broader community to be deserving of a Victoria Cross.
An ongoing campaign to see Sheean’s bravery recognised with a Victoria Cross has been spearheaded by Mr Garry Ivory, Sheean’s nephew, and myself, with the support of RSL (Tasmania Branch) and the veterans’ and ex-serving community.
This campaign resulted in the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal (the Tribunal) undertaking hearings in Hobart in March 2019 at which the Chief of Navy, Sheean family representatives, myself as applicant and others presented.
With significant local and national interest in the matter, I have written to the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, seeking an update on the Government’s consideration of the Tribunal’s recommendation regarding this outstanding Australian.
Alongside honouring the sacrifice of our servicemen and women, the Hodgman Liberal Government also recognises that following military service, time to recover, heal and re-connect can be critical to the long-term health of veterans.
The Government is subsequently seeking proposals from not-for-profit organisations to be responsible for developing a retreat for veterans and their families and friends, by renovating a former Parks and Wildlife Service shack at Dago Point, Lake Sorrell, in Tasmania’s highlands.
The successful applicant will receive $100,000 to support the renovations needed to make the retreat a reality, which will help support positive mental health and wellbeing outcomes for veterans, ex-serving personnel and their families.
Guidelines and application forms are available from Communities Tasmania website www.communities.tas.gov.au/csr.
