By Lucy Waldron
The lingering effects of war extend far beyond the battlefield, impacting not only those who served but also their families and communities.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a common consequence of war, often remains a silent struggle for many veterans.
However, Will Thornton, a former student at The School of Total Education in Warwick, has received widespread praise for his short film “Twitch,“ which addresses the realities of PTSD.
Inspired by his grandfather James O’Leary, a Vietnam veteran, Will created “Twitch“ to honour his strength and resilience.
“I think he is so strong to have a smile every day and is always the brightest person in the room,“ Will said.
“My grandfather is such a lively guy who warms everyone’s hearts with the funniest jokes and stories. He is hardworking and supportive, helping me when I’m in need. He is the sort of person I want to be when I become a grandpa.“
“Twitch“ tells the story of an older man haunted by flashbacks from his time as a sniper in the war. As the flashbacks intensify, he finally reaches out for help through a helpline.
“I really wanted to bring awareness to the fact that PTSD is a lifelong mental condition and can be triggered at any moment,“ Will said.
“Due to budget restrictions, I couldn’t put as much into the film as I would have liked, but I wanted to emphasise the experiences veterans had to go through and the ongoing impact it has on their everyday lives now.“
Will’s filmmaking has been awarded with a People’s Choice Award at the Very Short Film Festival in 2023.
“It was exciting to publish one of my films in a festival for the first time, and it was very rewarding after all the hard work I put in,“ he said.
In addition to his film accolades, Will received The Long Tan Bursary, a scholarship that supports the tertiary education of eligible children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans. Each year, 37 bursaries worth up to $12,000 over three years of continuous full-time study are awarded to successful applicants across Australia.
Now a Film Student at Griffith Univeristy, Will said “Receiving the Long Tan Bursary was such a privilege, and it takes a lot of stress off me knowing that my student fees won’t be such a burden once I graduate.“
The Minister for Veteran’s Affairs, Matt Keogh said last year marked 50 years since the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, but their commitment to supporting the families of Vietnam Veterans does not end there.
“I truly believe that no matter who you are or where you’re from, all Australians deserve access to a good education. I hope this bursary will help students from across the country access the education and skills they need to thrive,” Mr Keogh said.
Watch the screens because Warwick’s own Will Thornton will soon be taking them over.
