Sean Hewitt

Sean Hewitt is a veteran with 26 years in the Australian Army, including overseas service, and comes from a proud military family. Like many men, he learned to push through rather than speak up, a habit that made seeking help difficult during and after his service. After leaving Defence, Sean found purpose in peer work and now leads a team of lived experience workers at Open Arms, supporting veterans, families, and carers.

Sean’s insights are actively sought by clinicians, external agencies, and community groups who rely on his experience to better understand military culture and the barriers veterans face when seeking support. Through his work and lived experience, Sean brings stigma and silence into the open—showing how honest conversations can change lives.