Gwen is honoured to walk alongside families

Outgoing Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner, Gwen Cherne, says her greatest honour over the past 5 years has been walking alongside families.  
 
‘This role has been built on love and loss, purpose and persistence. It’s been deeply personal—and profoundly public,’ she explained. 
 
‘Throughout my tenure, I’ve met with more than 50,000 people—families, veterans, children, carers, widows, researchers, service providers, and policymakers. Every story helped shape this journey.’

She was also a member of the Open Arms’ National Advisory Committee which provides independent advice to the government on how our organisation can provide the best possible mental health support and services to the veteran community. 
 
Gwen, who lost her Australian Army husband to suicide, says the strength, honesty and courage of veteran families helped to shape every conversation and outcome in her role as Commissioner.  
 
‘Over the past five years, we’ve done more than raise awareness—we’ve made history. We’ve reformed systems, elevated lived experience, and placed veteran families where they always should have been: at the centre,’ she said. 

Open Arms offers free, military-aware mental health support for veterans and their immediate family, contact us day or night.

Image credit: Gwen (left) is pictured with her daughter Emily and the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, at the 1000 Voice for Recognition and Remembrance. Emil performed in the OZY Youth Choir.