The 15th Parliament House lunch for members and their guests was well attended and was supported by a detachment from the RAN Band. Our Parliamentary Host, Hon Anthony Roberts MLA, Minister for Planning & Housing welcomed guests with some fascinating and amusing historical anecdotes about the NSW Parliament building. This signature event for NSW was due to have the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs as guest speaker but a last minute requirement for the Secretary to accompany the Minister overseas meant that the task was handed off to a very capable alternate from DVA, the head of the Open Arms program, Dr Stephanie Hodson CSC, a former Army Colonel and Head of the Army’s Psychology Corps. Dr Hodson provided inspiring, passionate and challenging insights into the mental health issues faced by current and former service personnel and their families. Some very hardy old salts were observed to be somewhat tearful. A fitting prelude to Christmas.
