Remembering Paul Miller - Operation Unity

Hello. My name is Karenna Nelson. My best friend is Sarah Miller. Sarah tragically lost her dad Paul Miller on the 16th of April 2023.

(Darren Renshaw is the Treasurer of FOVA and will be receiving the funds on behalf of FOVA (Friends of the Veterans Association Incorporated) who then transfers to Operation K9 in honour of Paul Dusty Miller.)

Paul, an army veteran, and his son Aaron were on Day 2 of the Kokoda trail, hiking to raise funds for Operation Unity when Paul had, what is believed to be, a heart attack. Despite all efforts of assistance and of CPR, Paul was airlifted out and it has been confirmed that he had passed away on arrival at the hospital.

Please read more below about what a magnificent man Paul Miller was and what Operation Unity is - see photos. But I want to emphasise the incredible work Paul put into for Operation Unity. Paul was completing this trail to raise funds for the Operation K9 and OPK9 - which provides service dogs to veterans. This is a group Paul was a very active member of and spent his life supporting and running various fundraisers, he was very passionate about supporting veterans.

I am creating this Go Fund Me in the hope that collectively, as a nation, we could donate and hopefully hit Paul’s target of $40,000, in remembrance for Paul Miller - this is the least I can do, for my best friend and her beautiful family. All raised money will be transferred to the below bank account under Paul’s name. ❤️

With ANZAC day just around the corner, it would be incredible to be able to help out Operation Unity with all that they provide to veterans, in Paul’s name. Please, if you can support in any dollar amount, we would really appreciate it. Let’s do this for Paul. Let’s finish what he started and spread the awareness and fundraising efforts that Paul was aspiring to achieve. Thank you! ❤️

ABOUT PAUL MILLER:

Paul Miller joined the Australian Army as a 16 year old Vehicle Mechanic

apprentice, in 1991. During this time period he was posted

Paul enlisted in the Australian Army in 1991 as a 16 year old apprentice Vehicle Mechanic before being being allocated to RAEME and posted to Brisbane. Followed by Toowoomba, Townsville, Darwin, back to Brisbane and finally Adelaide; before being discharged 2014.

During this time he was deployed to INTERFET 99-00 in East Timor, 2 deployment to Iraq in 2003 and 2006, 2009 deployment to Timor Leste and Afghanistan in 2013

Units Paul have been posted to are, as follows: Army Apprentice School (Army School of TAFE), Brisbane Log, 7 Sig Regt, 2 Fd Log Bn, 3 BASB, 2nd Cav Regt, 2/14 LHR(QMI),

1st Sig Regt, 16 AD Regt, 1 CSSB, JLU-STH & 9 CSSB.

Units I have deployed with 3 BASB, 2 Cav BG, 2/14 LHR BG, 2 RAR BG. 7 RAR BG 1 also did 3 months of exchange in New Zealand and another month in USA.

Paul served for 24 years full time and 2 years in reserves after Paul left defence he went to oil and gas industry working in a vast number of mine sites across Australia.

Since becoming medically retired due to service related Mental health issues he has advocated for Veterans and and the fight for support assistance and a help up.

Paul was a loving long term partner of Amanda and father of 5

Sarah 28

Amy passed away at 12

Sabrina 24

Hayley 20

Aaron 17

Paul was an avid sports fan and members of Sydney Roosters, western Force, and QLD supporter for state of origin, Freo dockers,

Paul was training and doing Kokoda trek with our son Aaron and he was doing a fundraising effort for Operation K9, OPK9 are service dogs for veterans

We would love this opportunity to spread the awareness and fundraising efforts that Paul was aspiring to achieve.

Please remember our Veterans during ANZAC Day, Paul was a proud and extremely well respected member of the Veteran community.

Personal thanks to Raymond who escorted our son Aaron home during this tragic time, he remained with Paul and made all efforts to save Paul’s life.

Written by Amanda Kaplan partner of Paul of 23 years

18/04/2023