New members appointed to Queensland Veterans’ Council

• Four members have been appointed to the Queensland Veterans’ Council. 
• Veterans Scott Klima and John Stock, and veterans’ families advocate Eden Santos will join the Council, bringing a wealth experience.
• Veteran Lorraine Hatton OAM has been reappointed to the Council and will take on the Chair role. 

Four members have been appointed to the Queensland Veterans’ Council, a statutory body established to provide advice on veterans’ matters across the State. 

It is also the trustee of the State’s premier war memorial; Brisbane’s Anzac Square and its Memorial Galleries and administers the Anzac Day Trust Fund. 

Australian Army veterans Scott Klima and John Stock and veterans’ families advocate Eden Santos are new appointments to the board while veteran Lorraine Hatton OAM has been reappointed. 

Lorraine Hatton OAM has served on the board for four years and has now been appointed to serve in the role of Council Chair. 

She was the first female Communications Manager with the Special Operations Task Group in Kandahar and the first female Aboriginal to be promoted to Warrant Officer Class Two in the Australian Army's history. 

Wife of a former Australian Navy Commander, Eden Santos, has recently retired as the Northern Queensland national delegate for Defence Families of Australia and advised senior defence leadership on policies that affect them. 

Scott Klima and John Stock were both nominated to the Council by veterans’ organisation; RSL Queensland.  

North Queensland District RSL Vice President Mr Klima has had extensive experience in defence and government sectors during his career, serving for more than 20 years in the Army across a diverse range of roles based in Australia and overseas. 

Mr Stock is also a veteran of the Australian Army, including operational deployment in East Timor as part of INTERFET. 

He is currently serving as General Manager - League Development for RSL Queensland, a role that connects high-level administration with grassroots impacts. 

Premier and Minister for Veterans David Crisafulli said the Government valued the input and experience of the Queensland Veterans’ Council members. 

“Queensland is home to the largest population of veterans in the nation, with more than 163,000 veterans calling Queensland home,” Premier Crisafulli said. 

“It is important we have a strong veterans’ council to advise on issues and topics important to the veteran community. 

“I thank the outgoing members for their service on the Council and welcome the new members. 

“The Council members bring a wealth of expertise and experience, including lived experience serving our country or as family members.” 

“Our veteran community is very important and that’s why we have released our Queensland Veterans and Veterans’ Families Strategy, the State’s first strategy for veterans and their families. 

“It provides a framework to recognise skills and service, strengthen wellbeing and maximise opportunities for veterans and those who support them.” 

New Queensland Veterans’ Council Chair Lorraine Hatton OAM said she was honoured by the appointment. 

“First and foremost, I want to thank all of our veterans and their families for their service,” Ms Hatton said. 

“It is important to ensure our veterans are being heard, respected and supported. 

“I look forward to working with the other Council members to support our veterans and their families across education, employment, health, housing, business, community and sport, commemoration and recognition. That’s the focus we need moving forward.” 

They replace outgoing members Quentin Masson DSM, who served as the inaugural Chair of the Council, Rob Skoda and Nicole Hayes. 

Under Quentin's leadership the Council helped launch the State's first Queensland Veterans and Veterans’ Families Strategy and transition Anzac Square and Memorial Galleries to QVC management from Brisbane City Council. 

During their time on the Queensland Veterans' Council, outgoing members Rob Skoda and Nicole Hayes helped contribute vital insights and fiercely advocated for veterans, with Nicole providing an important regional perspective on the issues facing former and current defence persons and their families.  

For more information on the Queensland Veterans’ Council, visit https://www.qvc.qld.gov.au/  

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Georgia Bakalich, 0422 126 773