How an Aussie mum became the face of an organisation helping veteran families
A Sydney mum who’s become the face of a 100-year-old organisation, which helps families of veterans who didn’t make it home, has shared her own struggles as Legacy marks its centenary this Anzac Day.
“I speak up for myself and for other veterans,” suburban mum and veteran Pennie Looker told A Current Affair.
Looker was born into a military family and fulfilled her dream to become a soldier and digger.
She made it to the rank of sergeant in the psychology corps and helped veterans transition from war zones back to civilian life.
While she was assisting others, her own two tours of duty in East Timor and another in the Solomon Islands came at their own price.
“It can have a lasting effect on you, even though you try to compartmentalise,” Looker said.
She struggled through a spinal fusion, six hip operations, wrist and hand surgery and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) before she eventually had a stroke.
Looker said her battle also took a toll on her family.
“Your family can’t do everything they should be able to do because of your health,” Looker said.
She said her family has seen her reach the depths of despair during times when she wasn’t able to cope.
“My children have witnessed a lot,” Looker said.
“They’ve witnessed some mental health breakdowns.”
It’s been a rough road and her life’s purpose has been challenged at times.
“I joined when I was 17. That was my purpose,” she said.
Looker said while she hasn’t given her life to protecting our nation, she has given her health.
But she is thankful to organisations like Legacy which she said has been a huge support to her and her family.
Legacy supports 40,000 partners and children of veterans.
“Legacy started with a promise made on the battlefields of World War I, from a mate to another who was dying, basically (saying) ‘please look after my family’,” Legacy’s CEO, Graham Boyd, said.
To mark the centenary, an international torch relay has begun at a former battlefield in France.
Over the next six months, the torch will travel 50,000 kilometres through France, Belgium and the UK, before finishing up in Melbourne.
“It’s about service and sacrifice. It’s about remembering and Legacy always remembers those families that were impacted by the cost of service,” Boyd said.
Looker also wants to ensure the cost of service is never forgotten.
Her purpose now is to continue to help other veterans coming home.
