Raylene Garwood
~ On the Canvas Of Service, 2022
I think my trust in the ADF was betrayed…
Content Advisory:
The following story contains personal reflections from an Australian veteran that may include themes of trauma, war-related experiences, mental health struggles, and suicide. These narratives are shared with deep respect and the intent to honour service, foster understanding, and offer hope to those facing similar challenges.
If you are feeling distressed or need support, we encourage you to reach out. Help is available.
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Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
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Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046 (24/7 support for veterans and their families)
Please proceed with care and compassion.
There is something fiercely grounding about Rayles. She is sharp, warm, disarming—and unafraid to speak hard truths. I say without hesitation: her contribution to Of Service has been an act of deep visibility. She did not just show up; she brought with her a constellation of mates, stories, and a quiet readiness to make space for what matters.
I arrived with little knowledge of war horses—my reference point embarrassingly limited to Chris Hemsworth in 12 Strong. And yet, there I was, standing with her Waler stallion Wilvale Suai and gelded Wilvale Ambush, feeling something shift in me. That encounter, like so much of my time with Rayles, taught me to listen in new ways.
Her journey into service began with a twist of fate. “From the age of six, I always planned to be a lawyer,” she said. “I took a bet, and in 1991 I joined the Army Reserve.” What followed was a remarkable path—eventually moving into the Air Force, where she found room to breathe. “I absolutely loved it. Lots of freedom as a junior officer to make decisions and make mistakes.”
Squadron Leader (SQNLDR) Ret’d
Royal Australian Air Force
Now working as a peer support worker, she brings voice to what so many leave unsaid. “We need to change this, which makes me extraordinarily effective at work as well.” Her candour is piercing. Some veterans, she says, “deserve an uppercut” for being “extraordinarily demanding, insular, and selfish.” Not because they are unworthy—but because “nobody has invested the time to make them aware of their entitlement.”
And she is clear about where the blame does not lie: “DVA didn’t break the veterans… DVA is not responsible for the physical, psychological, or emotional damage.”
“Transitioning, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, is challenging for us,” she told me. “Unless you have this kind of external balance, your whole identity is tied up in your background.”
Rayles does not offer comfort for its own sake. She offers truth. And sometimes, that is the most healing thing of all.
Each paragraph is extracted from: Jenani Therone, Of Service, Australia: Harvest Publishing by House of JT, 2024, pages 515 – 522.
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The content featured here is extracted from Of Service, the original fine-art publication by Jenani Therone. It is reproduced with permission from both the author and the publisher. All rights are reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without explicit permission.
