'Hey Brother'
When veteran songwriter and producer Garth Porter was researching ideas for his latest album at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, he couldn’t help but be moved and inspired by the stories he found there.
The result was After the war: From Gallipoli to Afghanistan, an album that commemorates and honours the men and women who have served, and are serving our country.
Hey Brother by The Wolfe Brothers is just one of the songs featured on the After the war album. Complementing the song is a moving video highlighting interviews with veterans and their families.
"We think Hey Brother is the most important song we have released to date. It is a song directly inspired by those who've served our country. Through touring Australia in 2015 as part of the Spirit Of The Anzacs tour we got to meet so many incredible veterans and hear their stories," said the band.
For The Wolfe Brothers the song was a chance to give back to veterans and start a broader discussion.
"The veteran space is such a complex and sensitive one and it's been an honour to learn more about it through the journey of this song. It is our hope Hey Brother will be a discussion starter, so that the wider civilian community gain a better understanding of our veterans, as well as being a song of survival, mateship, hope, and healing..."
You can show your support by purchasing a copy of After the war from the Australian War Memorial's shop.
Warning: the below interviews may contain content that is distressing to viewers.
'Hey Brother' official video
Interview with Brenda and Bill
There are no actors in the video for Hey Brother. Just real people, real stories, real life. Meet Brenda and Bill Hodge, speaking here of their son, Eddi.
Interview with Craig Gresham
Craig is one of the veterans who appears in the music video. Craig served in East Timor and Afghanistan and now runs Misha's Mates, an organization that offers support to veterans through training and certifying assistance dogs as well as facilitating adventure therapy programs in the great outdoors.
Interview with Michaela Gilewicz
Michaela Gilewicz lost her father Joe at a young age as a result of service related PTSD. Inspired by her father's service and sacrifice, she joined the Australian Defence Force herself.
Interview with Gary Myors
Gary served eight years in the Royal Australian Navy. He wears his medals alongside those of his father who became a prisoner of war in the Second World War. This is his story.
If this content has caused any distress, assistance is available from the below services.
- Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling (24/7): 1800 011 046
- Lifeline (24/7): 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service (24/7): 1300 659 467