Robyn Connell

~ On the Canvas Of Service, 2023

Squadron Leader (SQNLDR)

Royal Australian Air Force

She welcomed me in with quiet warmth—and two beautiful companions: Handsome Samson and Miss Daisy. They barely lifted their heads when I arrived, just shifted gently on their beds. There was nothing guarded about the space. It felt lived-in, open, soft. The kind of home that holds your edges without asking you to dull them.

Robyn isn’t someone who speaks to fill silence. She speaks with intention. As she took me through her home, I felt the weight of what it meant to her—not just the structure, but the grounding. “My home is my personal space… I feel safe in my home.” There was no embellishment in her voice. Just truth.

We sat at her dining table, where she offered me Ricciarelli—lemon almond biscuits she’d baked herself. The kind of gesture that says: I trust you enough to give you something from my hands.

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.

• Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)

• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046 (24/7 support for veterans and their families)

Please proceed with care and compassion.

Robyn spoke about her time in the military with clarity and resistance—two things she carries without apology. “I’ve always been really determined… to stay true to myself,” she said. That line stayed with me. So did this one: “You can’t tell me how I need to be.” There was no anger in it. Just a refusal to shape herself to meet someone else’s idea of belonging.

She told me how being posted over the years made it hard to feel anchored. “You never really feel it’s home.” And now, here, she’s claimed it—not just the home, but the peace within it. It was sanctuary. A return—not to what was—but to what had always belonged to her.

And when she told me why she chose to be part of Of Service, she said it simply. “I liked your really soft approach. I felt comfortable with you as a person.” I held onto those words carefully. Because, to me, trust is never given lightly.

That day, she didn’t just welcome me in.

She let me see what it looks like when someone finally belongs to themselves.

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