Local teams battle for Tri Services Cup next month

Jeb Summers (front), Mel O'Neill, Ronnie Paoly, Ian Pompa, Ron Blackmore and Graeme Williams ahead of the Tri Services Cup. (Damjan Janevski) 323350_03

Zoe Moffatt

East Sunbury and Taylors Lakes football clubs will battle it out for the Tri Services Cup next month.

The annual fundraiser is organised by Save Our Services Australia, which has teamed up with the Austin Hospital to provide assistance to ex-service personnel exiting the hospital’s post traumatic stress disorder ward.

Save Our Services vice president Melinda O’Neill said the charity supports people who have mental health issues as a direct result of their service.

“The program is designed to engage our clients with a social program within the community… this avoids them from coming home and isolating themselves,” she said.

The event will feature a family fun day with market stalls, food vans, children’s activities and a visit from guest speaker Dustin Fletcher, ahead of the football match.

Ms O’Neill said Fletcher will be at the club for a few hours doing meet and greets, with the public encouraged to come down for a photo and a chat.

Julie-Anne Finny, the mother of a soldier who took his own life, and a leader in fighting for the Royal Commission on Defence and Veteran Suicide, will also be at the fundraiser.

The Tri Services Cup is on Saturday, April 22 from 11am to 5pm at East Sunbury Football Club.

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