A POWERFUL new documentary titled Bravery & Betrayal was screened last week at C.ex Coffs Harbour.
The film offers a raw and deeply personal insight into the experiences of the Australian Special Forces during their years of service in Afghanistan.
It also examines the media scrutiny and personal toll of official investigations of these elite soldiers.
The documentary was brought to the Mid North Coast by army veteran and peacekeeper Adam Fuller, with the support of Coffs Harbour RSL sub-Branch and C.ex Coffs Harbour.
Funded by Wandering Warriors, a charity that supports Special Air Service (SAS) veterans, the film includes firsthand accounts from former SAS members.
A large audience turned out for the screening, with many coming from the ex-service community.
There was high praise for the film and strong criticism of Defence leadership and mainstream media.
Appearing in and introducing the film was highly respected former Special Forces Commander Brigadier Dan Fortune, DSC and Bar.
He explained that the purpose of the film is not retribution, but to allow those who served to finally tell their side of the story.
The film highlights the relentless pace of special operations in Afghanistan and reveals the emotional and physical toll these missions inflicted on Australian soldiers.
Also featured are emotional interviews with family members of the fallen, including relatives of Bellingen’s Sergeant Matthew Locke MG, who was killed in 2007.
Three former Prime Ministers contribute to the film, offering political context and reflections on the soldiers’ contributions.
The film delivers a counter-narrative to widely accepted portrayals but it remains uncertain if major Australian television networks will take up the challenge of airing it.
In the meantime, screenings such as the one in Coffs are crucial for bringing different perspectives to light.
“The film contributes to a broader conversation around how Australia views and treats its soldiers and the physical and emotional toll that it has on their families,” Mr Fuller said.
“It was very moving to hear from Matthew Locke’s son Keegan, who lost his father at the age of 12, as well as hearing… [about] the trauma experienced by the children who had to… say goodbye to their dads without fully understanding why they had to leave, and not knowing if they would return.
Bravery & Betrayal encourages Australians to reflect on the sacrifices made by our elite soldiers and calls on the community to advocate for wider screenings.
For many in attendance, Bravery & Betrayal is a long-overdue statement of recognition for the Special Forces Community.
For more information or to arrange a screening, go to wanderingwarriors.org.
By Mick BIRTLES
