St Peter’s Cathedral is hosting a fundraising concert in to support veterans suffering from mental health conditions and draw attention to the recent report of the Commission into suicides in the Defence Force.
The concert, In Remembrance and Hope, is being co-organised by the Rev’d Joan Claring-Bould and Angela McKay, whose son committed suicide 10 years ago after returning from service in Afghanistan.
“Angela’s son received little help when he returned home with severe mental health issues,” said the Rev’d Claring-Bould. “Angela has been an important part of the Commission into defence suicides whose report we have recently heard – and it is damning. She is determined that other service men and women don’t have to go through what her son and family has faced.
“We hope the money raised by this concert will will help other defence people find a better outcome when they return from service with PTSD.”
The concert will raise funds for Military Advocates SA, a not-for-profit organisation helping South Australian veterans and their families in times of injury, illness and crisis. https://amasa.com.au/
The concert will feature the Adelaide Benefit Concert Choir, a community choir gathered from all over the city who are passionate about the cause, guest soloist Libby O’Donovan, the Band of the 10/27 Battalion Royal South Australia Regiment, led by bandmaster David Portakiewic and organist Mark Joyner.
The program well-loved choral and orchestral arrangements, songs and hymns including Highland Cathedral (choral), With A voice of Singing (Martin Shaw), Halleluia (Cohen), How can I keep from Singing?, The Lord is My shepherd (Howard Goodall), All people that on earth do dwell (Old 100th Vaughan Williams), Land of Hope and Glory, and Abide with me.
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide concluded on 28 August 2024. It examined systemic issues and common themes in past deaths-by-suicide of ADF members and veterans. This included suspected suicides and lived experience of suicide risks.
The Final Report, delivered on 9 September 2024, The report outlines 122 recommendations including the establishment of a new new body should monitor and continually report back publicly about progress on tackling the high rates of suicide among military personnel.
Captain Paul McKay
Captain McKay grew up in Adelaide, attended the University of Adelaide and graduated with a double degree in law and commerce while completing officer training at the Adelaide Universities Regiment. After graduating, he transferred to the Regular Army where he was allocated to infantry. He deployed to Afghanistan with Combined Team Uruzgan 2 in 2011 and, after returning to Australia, struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. Paul took his own life by hypothermia at Saranac Lake, New York, January 2014, aged 31. Paul’s service and sacrifice is commemorated on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial.
In Remembrance and Hope
Sunday 17 November at 2pm
St Peter’s Cathedral
27 King William Road, North Adelaide SA, 5006
