Aug 26

CUTTING RED TAPE FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Thursday, 21 August 2014   

CUTTING RED TAPE FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

 

Current serving ADF members, including Reservists, who hold a purple ADF ID card will benefit from a new DVA and Defence move to reduce red tape in the claims application process, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson announced today.

Senator Ronaldson said that from 1 September 2014, ADF members will be able use their purple ADF ID Card to prove their identity for the purposes of making a DVA claim. 

“The new arrangement means a claim can commence from the point of first contact. It will streamline the current 100 point identity verification process, speeding up the process for both clients and staff.”

“This initiative recognises the unique nature of military service and demonstrates the Government’s ongoing efforts to cut red tape for veterans and their families.”

Click Here to read more. VA062 CUTTING RED TAPE FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Aug 26

SUFFERING OF SANDAKAN POWs REMEMBERED

Friday, 15 August 2014                                                                                             

 

SUFFERING OF SANDAKAN POWs REMEMBERED

 

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, today urged all Australians to remember Sandakan Day and especially those Australians who suffered acts of cruelty during the Second World War.

“Today we mark Sandakan Day – a day to remember those who were held as Prisoners of War (POW) at Sandakan in Borneo. More than 2,400 Australian and British prisoners were sent to Sandakan Camp in 1942. By the end of the war, only six, all Australians, were still alive.” Senator Ronaldson said.

“During the Second World War, more than 22,000 Australians became POWs in south-east Asia, of these men, more than 8,000 died.”

Please click Here to read more

Aug 13

RESTORATION OF VETERAN ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT FUNDING DELIVERED

Thursday, 7 August 2014                                                                                                                   VA055

 

RESTORATION OF VETERAN ADVOCACY
AND SUPPORT FUNDING DELIVERED

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson, today announced $3.8 million in funding to deliver important support services to Australia’s ex-service community.

“The Abbott Government has restored advocacy and support funding for the veteran community which was cut by Labor.  The 2014-15 budget provides an additional $1 million per year to the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) programme over the forward estimates. This funding will support the work of veterans’ advocates in helping veterans, war widows and widowers to access important information and services,” Senator Ronaldson said.

Click on the following link to read more VA055 – RESTORATION OF VETERAN ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT FUNDING DELIVERED

Jul 15

Afghanistan – Avenue of Honour

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Below is a copy of an email received from
Graham Anderson OAM JP
National Secretary
Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia Inc.

 

Yesterday I fulfilled a special wish on my ‘bucket list’. We travelled to Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands to visit the ‘Avenue of Honour’ a very moving memorial to those who lost their lives serving in Afghanistan.

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As I expected this is a very special place situated overlooking Lake Tinaroo.

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          CLICK ON IMAGES FOR CLEARER PICTURES

 

m_P1070304Leading to the memorial there is a long pathway lined with Flame Trees, the whole area is beautiful and manicured. While we were there paying our respect to young men who gave all there was a lady moving down the avenue of trees picking up fallen leaves by hand … she does this every day.

 

 

m_P1070303She told me she did it for all their mates, who if they were able, would be here ensuring the memorial to their mates was always immaculate. I asked her what her name was, but she said that’s not important. We walked away and she kept moving down the avenue picking up leaves.

 

A very moving experience that I commend to anyone up this way.

 

 

CONTINUE READING FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVENUE OF HONOUR AT YUNGABURRA QUEENSLAND AND CLICK ON THE LINK TO VISIT THE WEBSITE

The Afghanistan Avenue of Honour

The Afghanistan Avenue of Honour is a living memorial dedicated to the memory of all who served in the fight against terror in Afghanistan and to those brave and selfless Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom and liberty.

The Avenue symbolises the final journey home of the fallen, and preserves forever the gratitude and respect the nation bestows on all those to whom we owe a debt… that can never be repaid.

The Avenue follows the path of fallen Commando Ben Chuck’s Gun Carriage, July 1st 2010, and symbolises the ‘final journey home’ of the Fallen.

A plaque representing each fallen soldier is placed on an ‘Honour Board’ in close proximity to the Memorial. The landscape surrounds give visitors the opportunity to pause and reflect and a place to pay their respects. The emphasis of the Avenue is directed to the living, natural, free, open aspects of the trees, stunning location, pristine water views and the enhancement of the existing picturesque environment.

For more information including location, history, honour roll and events, go to www.avenueofhonour.com.au/

Afghanistan Avenue of Honour.

Afghanistan Avenue of Honour.

 RETURN HOME

Jul 15

Doin’ IT For The Troops DVD Now on Sale.

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FURTHER DETAIL.

Doin’ IT For The Troops DVD play list is as follows:

  • Doin’ It For The Troops is narrated by award winning artist Amber Lawrence.
  • The DVD beings with a live to camera speech from General Peter Cosgrove (Ret’d) – now Governor General of Australia
  • Shout – Performed by Kylie Minogue & John Farnham
  • Shadow Boxer – Performed by Doc Neeson
  • Poster Girl – Performed by Beccy Cole
  • By The Light of the Moon – Performed by Chelsea Basham
  • I Still Call Australia Home – Performed by all Artists in East Timor (John Farnham, Kylie Minogue, Doc Neeson, Gina Jeffreys, James Blundell, Jack Jones & Rachel Thorne
  • Missing Heroes – Performed by Adam Harvey
  • Lay Down Your Guns – Performed by Jimmy Barnes
  • Jingle Bell Rock – Performed by Kylie Minogue and The Living End
  • The Anzac – Performed by Adam Brand
  • Touch – Performed b Touch – Noiseworks
  • Rockin’ Robin – Performed by Kylie Minogue
  • The Man Across the Street – Performed by Amber Lawrence
  • Battle Scars – Performed by Guy Sebastian featuring Lupe Fiasco
  • Diggers of the Anzac – Performed by John Williamson – this song is used as a backing song to a Montage that includes various artists who have sung to the troops overseas including Diva Demolition, Beccy Cole, Doc Neeson, John Williamson and many more
  • You’re the Voice – Performed by John Farnham, Kylie Minogue, Doc Neeson, Gina Jeffreys & James Blundell
  • Come Back Home – Performed by Dianna Corcoran
  • I’ll See Ya – Performed by Simply Bushed
  • What About Me – Performed by Shannon Noll (only part of the song) – this is Channel 7 News footage of when the troops returned to Townsville in 2008
  • Dancing With Elvis – Performed by Gina Jeffreys
  • And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda – Performed by Eric Bogle
  • Take a Long Line – Performed by Doc Neeson and John Farnham, Kylie Minogue, Gina Jeffreys, James Blundell, Jack Jones and Rachel Thorne
  • Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again – Performed by Doc Neeson and the others as listed above
  • There are also live to camera short speeches by Prinnie Stevens, Rear Admiral Ken Doolan (Ret’d), Michael Chugg, Lehmo, The McClymonts and Angry Anderson.

Contact The Repat Foundation on (08) 8275 1039 or go to www.therepatfoundation.org.au to order your copy. Cost is $24.95 plus postage.

The link to purchase is here

RETURN HOME

Jul 09

INTERNATIONAL SHIPS TO JOIN THE ALBANY CONVOY

INTERNATIONAL SHIPS TO JOIN THE ALBANY CONVOY

 

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson today confirmed international ships from Japan and New Zealand will join Royal Australian Navy vessels in the Albany Convoy Commemorative Event in October. Click in the link to read more –VA046 International ships to join the Albany convoy

Jul 09

NEW WEBSITE LINKS VETERANS TO SUPPORT WHEN THEY NEED IT

NEW WEBSITE LINKS VETERANS TO SUPPORT WHEN THEY NEED IT

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson has officially launched a new dedicated website for the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) at the South Australian RSL Congress in Adelaide today.

VVCS is a free and confidential service that offers eligible veterans counselling, group programs, and after-hours crisis support 24 hours a day.

“Tackling the mental health challenges facing veterans and their families is a key pillar of the Government’s plan for veterans’ affairs. The Government’s priority is to ensure that we have in place the mental health services and supports that are needed for veterans and their families.”

service community.The services provided by VVCS are particularly important as they also support the families, who significantly support veterans.

” The launch of a new dedicated website for VVCS builds on the Minister’s recent announcements to improve access to mental health treatment, including access to counselling and support.

From 1 July 2014, former serving members who have border protection service, served in a disaster zone either in Australia or overseas, served as a submariner, were involved in training accidents resulting in serious injury or were medically discharged can access VVCS services.

VVCS services are also available to partners and their dependent children, up to the age of 26, of these newly eligible service men and women.  Along with the partners, dependent children, aged up to 26, and parents of members killed in service-related incidents.

“The Government spends around $166 million a year on meeting the mental health needs of Veterans and their families.  The funding for treatment is demand driven, and it is not capped – if treatment is needed, it is funded.”

“This Government is determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past. This means we need to develop a strong understanding of the issues and challenges faced by veteran and defence communities including their families, and to have a robust evidence base to inform efforts to reduce stigma around mental illness and to keep improving our services.” Senator Ronaldson said.

A mobile version of the new VVCS website has also been developed  to ensure that veterans and their families can access information and support details when they need to.

The new VVCS dedicated website can be accessed at: www.vvcs.gov.au

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) and Veterans Line can be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for crisis support and free and confidential counselling. Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 8 8241 4546)

To subscribe to media releases from the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, send an email to [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]?subject=UNSUBSCRIBE> with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject field. Once joined, you will receive a confirmation email. To unsubscribe to media releases from the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, send an email to [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]?subject=UNSUBSCRIBE> with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject field. You must use the same email account as you subscribed with.

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IMPORTANT 1. Before opening any attachments, please check for viruses. 2. This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain confidential information     for the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient,     please contact the sender and delete all copies of this email. 3. Any views expressed in this e-mail are those of the sender and are not     a statement of Australian Government Policy unless otherwise stated. 4. Electronic addresses published in this email are not conspicuous publications  and DVA does not consent to the receipt of commercial electronic messages. 5. To unsubscribe from emails from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) please go to                                                http://www.dva.gov.au/contact_us/Pages/feedback.aspx , and advise which mailing list you would like to unsubscribe from.  6. Finally, please do not remove this notice.

Jul 07

HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR VIETNAM VETERANS’ CHILDREN

HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR VIETNAM VETERANS’ CHILDREN

Students from around Australia will be given a helping hand as they prepare for study this year with funding through the Long Tan Bursary Scheme, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson announced today. Click on the link to view the rest of this release: Ronaldson release – VA045 Higher education support for Vietnam Veterans children

 

Jul 04

STRENGTHENING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR FORMER

Today the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson, announced three major initiatives which expand existing mental health services for veterans and their families.

Click on the link to read the Media Release- Ronaldson Release VA041 Strengthening Mental health

Jul 04

START THE JOURNEY BACK TO GOOD MENTAL HEALTH

A new YouTube video has been launched highlighting the help available to veterans from the Affairs.

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, launched the ‘Start the journey back to good mental health’ clip at the Victorian RSL Congress in Melbourne.

 

Click on the link to read the Media Release- VA043 STRENGTHENING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR FORMER ADF MEMBERS AND FAMILIES