A section panel assembly for a bulkhead of a gas turbine combustor includes a section panel defining a rear or cold side and defining a front or hot side. The panel has a circumferential inner edge, a circumferential outer edge and radially extending first and second side edges each extending from the inner edge to the outer edge such that the inner and outer edges subtend a predetermined arc. The panel defines at least one opening extending from the rear side to the front side for receiving cooling air. The rear side includes a central lip extending about a periphery of the opening, and a circumferential rail spaced radially outwardly of and extending about the opening for defining a cavity region including the opening on the rear side of the section panel.