Tuesday, 28 July 2026

 Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (14:12): I rise to recognise the work of Police Veterans Victoria, a not-for-profit organisation that supports Victoria Police veterans and their families with a singular focus of improving the mental health of former officers of Victoria Police. The backbone of this support within Police Veterans Victoria is the veteran peer support officers, former VicPol members trained to provide support and referral services to other veterans experiencing mental health issues caused by the challenges they faced whilst on the job. Sadly, many police veterans suffer a range of health issues long after their service has ended, including PTSD, anxiety, depression and social isolation. I was delighted to recently attend Police Veterans Victoria’s annual corporate luncheon. Nearly 500 guests attended the event to raise money and show support for Victoria’s police veterans and their families. The event reinforced to me the sacrifice our brave Victoria Police members make to protect Victorian communities and the traumas they potentially face every day that may remain with them for a lifetime. Thank you to Police Veterans Victoria for the wonderful work they do.