ORDNANCE VIETNAM Notice Board

2012-01-13T08:36:00.001+10:30

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE ORGANISATION AND VETERANS

2011-10-18T10:04:00.000+10:30

Introduction
Defence is recognised as one of the largest employers in Australia. In recognition of Defence’s
contribution to the Nation numerous suppliers of products and services provide tailored products
to Defence personnel as a goodwill gesture. This brochure contains products and services that are
available to Defence members including, ADF members, Defence civilians, and Defence
contractors. Some products are available to Retired ADF members and Department of Veterans’
Affairs (DVA) Gold and White Card recipients. Spouses of eligible persons may also take
advantage of some products and services.
The information provided herein is a guide only. Not all products and services are available to all
members; certain eligibility criteria may apply (check the eligibility guide - below). There may
also be special conditions applicable to the product or service that you are interested in, check
with the provider. It is your responsibility to check with the product or service provider to
ascertain if the product or service you are considering to purchase meets your requirements. Shop
around before making a commitment to purchase. Suitable proof of identity may be requested at
the time of purchase.
Eligibility Guide
This eligibility guide is provided as an indication only, it does not imply any priority for
acceptance by the service provider. Look for these numbers in each section to see if you’re
eligible.
1 ADF full-time service (including Reservists on full-time service)
2 Retired ADF and/or ADF superannuants
3 ADF Reservists not on full-time service
4 Defence civilians
5 Defence contractors and their staff
6 As specified by the provider in their product description
Proof of Eligibility
The following forms of identification for eligibility are acceptable to the providers, provided the
identification is current:
a. Defence ID Card for ADF full-time and Reserve members.
b. Defence ID Card for Defence civilians and Defence contractors.
c. ADF Superannuants – Yearly Statement from COMSUPER.
d. Letter of introduction from Unit/Ship administration on official departmental letterhead
(only to be used for personnel that have an out of date identity card).
e. DVA Gold or White Card.
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WebPages and Links
Information about these products and services is available on the DPSA web site on both the
DEFWEB and Internet.
a. DEFWEB – visit (http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/dpsa/)
b. INTERNET - visit (http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dpsa/)
Down load Information
This document may be down loaded from either of these sites and reproduced for your personal
use or for distribution to other members of Defence and Veterans.
Call Centres
Some providers use call centres to manage customer service requirements. When contacting
providers using call centres, explain fully what product you wish information about. Remember
that call centre operators do not necessarily have in-depth knowledge about the products or
services that the call centre handles on behalf of their clients.
Goodwill
The provision of products and services by providers listed in this guide is based on the provider’s
goodwill towards Defence. If you are happy with what has been offered to you let others know.
User Comments and Feedback
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this document. If
you have any feedback on the information listed, contact the Directorate of Personnel Support
and Amenities (DPSA) R1-1-C054, Russell Offices, CANBERRA ACT 2600.
Contents
The following material is discussed in this document:
a. Holidays - Recreational Accommodation and Travel
b. Health Benefits and Insurance Products
c. Insurance Tips
d. ADF Base and Ship Canteen Services
e. Discount Purchasing
f. ADF Welfare Support - Relief Trust Funds
g. Home Loans
h. Credit Unions
i. Consumer Help Online - Handbook
HOLIDAYS - RECREATIONAL ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL
ADF Holiday Resorts
The RAN, Army and RAAF have holiday resorts situated in various holiday locations around
Australia with varying standards of accommodation and facilities. Each Service is responsible for
the management of their resorts, including the eligibility criteria. Serving and retired ADF
members and Defence civilians are eligible to make bookings. The ADF has reciprocal rights
with the NZ Defence Force concerning use of NZ holiday resorts by serving and retired members
of the ADF. A complete list of ADF Holiday Accommodation is available on the DPSA website.
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More information on the RAN Holiday Facilities is available at
http://www.navy.gov.au/general/holiday/index.htm. Information on Army and RAAF Holiday
Resorts is available by contacting the business operations unit of DPSA on (02) 6265 2797 or on
the DPSA web pages on both the DEFWEB and Internet.
Eligibility: - 1,2,3,4
Defence Force Accommodation Program (DFAP)
The DFAP is a discount accommodation program provided by Flag Choice Hotels. DFAP offers
accommodation in all Flag properties within Australia and at affiliated hotels across the world.
DFAP may be used for business or leisure. Rates vary depending on location and type of
accommodation required. Suitable proof of eligibility will be requested at check-in when
commencing your stay. Officers and Instructors of Cadets (adult) and visiting forces personnel
may also utilise DFAP. To obtain the DFAP rates, all bookings should be made within Australia,
telephone 13 2400 and request the DFAP rate. For general information and the location of all
properties, including prices (Govt/Military Rates), visit the Flag Choice Hotels website at
www.choicehotels.com.au. When you access this site to check on hotel locations, do the
following:
a. Quick Search – enter city/town (this will list hotels in that location).
b. Select the hotel of your choice from list and select the rates and availability box.
c. Complete the required information and select the Government/Military Program box.
d. Complete the on-line reservation or ring 132 400 to make and confirm your reservation and
to ensure that DFAP rates are obtained.
Discounted car rental is available from Flag Choice Hotels preferred vehicle supplier. Check the
link on the Flag Choice Hotels home page. When booking a car quote the Rate Code “DFAP” to
obtain preferential rates.
Eligibility: - 1,2,3,4,5,6
Defence Force Leave Plan (DFLP)
The DFLP is a leisure accommodation plan undertaken by Intercontinental Hotels Group DFLP
must not be used for business travel. DFLP offers hotel rooms in any Intercontinental Hotel
property in Australia and around the world at very attractive rates. Rates vary depending on
location and type of accommodation required. Suitable proof of eligibility will be requested at
check-in when commencing your stay. Officers and Instructors of Cadets (adult) and visiting
forces personnel may also utilise DFLP. For reservations phone 1300 363 300 and request DFLP
rates when making your booking. For general information and the location of all properties,
including prices (Govt/Military Rates), visit the Intercontinental Hotels Group website at
www.ichotelsgroup.com. When you access this site to check on hotel locations, do the following:
a. Select – Find a Hotel and complete the information required.
b. Select – Fed/Gov/Mil rates and check availability.
c. Complete the on-line reservation or ring 1300 363 300 to make and confirm your
reservation and to ensure DFLP rates are obtained.
Eligibility: - 1,2,3,4,5,6
Note: Eligible recipient’s spouses and immediate family members may be eligible to use the
commercial accommodation concessions that are available. Contact the DFAP or DFLP provider
for details. A letter of introduction from the eligible recipient may be requested by the providers.
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Vehicle Hire
Hertz offers the Defence corporate rates and most conditions for leisure rentals. Anyone with a
current Defence security pass can access these rates and book via the Defence reservation Toll
Free Number - 1800 009 545. Please quote CDP number 1489013 to access leisure rates.
Eligibility: - 1,2,3,4,5
Air Travel
Leisure air travel is available from numerous sources within Australia and overseas. It is
advisable that you check airline special deals on respective web sites to obtain the best possible
fare that will meet your requirements.
Eligibility: - 6
HEALTH BENEFITS AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS
Health Benefits Products
Health insurance is offered by Defence Health Limited (DefenceHealth) and Navy Health Ltd
(Navy Health) which are recognised as restricted entry health funds. Membership to both funds is
available to all Defence personnel including Reservists, Defence civilians and contractors and
retired Defence personnel. The funds are in a position to offer specially reduced premiums for a
military family when one adult member is a full-time serving ADF member as the member is
already covered by the ADF health system. Single membership is available, and the funds also
offer insurance products. Conditions apply. Contact DefenceHealth on 1800 335 425 or visit the
DefenceHealth website at: www.defencehealth.asn.au and Navy Health can be contacted on 1800
333 156 or visit the Navy Health website at: www.navyhealth.com.au.
Eligibility: - 1,2,3,4,5
Life Insurance – DefenceHealth and Navy Health
Life cover is available from both Defence health funds under certain conditions. DefenceHealth
Life cover does provide coverage for operational deployments, under strict conditions. Navy
Health may or may not offer this operational cover, dependent on an applicant’s circumstance at
the time of application. Many other providers of personal Life insurance products have “War
Exclusion Clauses”. Contact the respective health fund for details.
Eligibility: - 6
Services Security Plan
The Services Security Plan is an accident protection insurance product tailored to meet the
special needs of service personnel. Cover in operational areas is available. There is no death
benefits component in this plan. Contact the Underwriters direct on 1800 650 224 and request an
information pack.
Eligibility: - 1,2,3,4,5
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Home Support Program for Service Partners
Associate Members of the Australian Automobile Association (AAA); NRMA, RACV, RACQ,
RAASA, RACWA, RACT and AANT provide a home support program for eligible partners
(spouse or de facto) of ADF members serving (unaccompanied) overseas on full time service.
The products available under this program include discounted membership, roadside assistance
and insurance. There are three categories of membership available. Enquiries may be made on
free-call 1800 061 094 or information is available from regional Defence Community
Organisation offices. Visit the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) website at:
www.aaa.asn.au.
Eligibility: - 6
INSURANCE TIPS
Regularly review insurance coverage to ensure your needs and those of your dependants are
adequately covered.
Do not wait until you are warned for deployment to address your personal insurance needs.
In some case if you are warned for deployment, you may not be able to apply for Life
cover.
Make sure you fully understand what is and what is not covered by any insurance product
that you may be considering.
Read the provider’s prospectus and ask questions about the product. Check the document
completely before making any commitment to purchase.
When changing addresses, make sure you inform your insurance provider in writing.
Maintain correspondence that you may have with insurance providers for future reference.
ADF BASE AND SHIP CANTEEN SERVICES
Frontline Defence Services (FDS) and RAN Canteen Services
When you purchase from your FDS or RAN canteens outlet some of the profits generated by
sales are returned to respective Services for re-investment in welfare and amenities provision for
ADF members.
FDS - Offer a range of goods and services at competitive prices at selected ADF bases around
Australia, on exercise and overseas operations. An interest-free payment plan is available to fulltime
serving ADF members on a range of furniture and electrical goods. RAN personnel on fulltime
service may utilise the payment plan. Visiting Forces personnel may utilise the facilities (not
the payment plan). Contact your nearest outlet for details or visit their website:
www.frontlineds.com.au.
Eligibility: - 1,3,4,5,6
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RAN Canteens - Offer a range of goods and services at competitive prices and access to a range
of white goods on RAN Bases. Canteens are established on major RAN Ships. Visiting Forces
personnel may utilise facilities. Contact your nearest outlet for details or visit their website:
http://www.ranccf.com/
Eligibility: - 1,3,4,5,6
DISCOUNT PURCHASING
Defcom Protectors
Defcom Protectors is a discount-purchasing scheme provided by Defcom Marketing Systems.
Defcom Protectors offers to ADF members and families a wide range of discounted products and
services from participating merchants across Australia. Defcom Protectors is available to ADF
members, ex ADF members who served at least 15 years or have reached compulsory retirement
age, ex members who have served in an armed conflict in which Australia was involved. Also
available to ex Reservist who have met the criteria for receipt of long service awards and
recognised spouses of ADF members and parents/parents-in-law. Defcom Protectors cards are
available from unit orderly rooms or your organisation’s shopfront. Defcom Protectors provides a
comprehensive listing of participating merchants in the form of a discount directory. Contact
Defcom Protectors on 07-3278 4333 or fax 07-3278 4200 for further details or visit the Defcom
Protectors website: www.defcom.com.au. The Defcom Protectors card should be presented to
participating merchants before purchase.
Eligibility: - 1,2,3,6
Additional Sources of Discounted Products
The Services newspapers, other Defence news media, the two Defence health funds and Defence
credit unions have advertisers who provide products and services at special rates to readers and/or
members that may be available to you. Most unions and professional associations offer
concessions packages for their members, check with your union or association to find out what
they may be.
Flexible Remuneration Packaging (FRP)
FRP is an arrangement whereby employees can choose to select a combination of cash salary and
other remuneration benefits to suit their needs. FRP can be used to package up to 50% of an
employee’s salary. Non-cash benefits can include items such as leased cars, childcare, lap top
computers and additional contributions to private superannuation funds. FRP may be beneficial
to employees as items that are packaged are deducted from your salary (pre tax) with the balance
of salary remaining being subject to income tax.
Before employees enter into a FRP arrangement, Defence advises that they seek financial
counseling. The provider charges participants in FRP for the establishment and administration of
the packaging arrangements. The costs involved in establishing the FRP may be included in the
package arrangement.
Further information is available by visiting http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/frp or the service
provider (Smart Salary) at: www.smartsalary.com.au or free call 1800 632 496.
Eligibility: - 1,4 (except trainees)
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ADF WELFARE SUPPORT - RELIEF TRUST FUNDS
Trust Fund Loans to ADF Members
ADF members including Reservist on full-time duty may be eligible for assistance from
respective single Service Relief Trust Funds - AMFRTF, RANRTF and RAAFWTF. Loans may
be interest and/or fee-free. A Fund Secretary on behalf of the Fund Trustees manages the Funds
along single Service lines. Strict eligibility criteria are applied to applications. For further
information contact the following:
RANRTF - Fund Secretary Ph: (02) 6266 6887
AMFRTF - Fund Secretary peter.elliott@defence.gov.au Ph: (02) 6265 6197
RAAFWTF - Fund Secretary russ.thompson@defence.gov.au Ph: (02) 6266 3650
Eligibility: - check with respective Fund
Family Support
The Defence Community Organisation (DCO) has several programs in place offering family
support and relief. One such program is the Defence Families Financial Emergency Fund
(DFFEF) which assists families in need of immediate welfare relief and support while members
are deployed or absent from the family home for extended periods. For more information on the
range of DCO services and DFFEF contact the Family Information Network for Defence (FIND)
on (toll free) 1800 020 031.
Eligibilty: - 6
HOME LOANS
Defence Home Loan Scheme (DHLS)
The DHLS through National Australia Bank (NAB) is available to ADF members and retired
members within two years of discharge. Eligibility criteria apply, depending on length and type
of service. Maximum loan per member is $80,000. Contact any NAB for details of eligibility or
the administrators of the scheme the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). Visit the DHA’s
information page for the DHLS at: www.dha.gov.au.
Defence Service Home Loans (DSHL)
The DSHL through Westpac Bank are available to ADF members who have qualifying service.
Maximum loan amount is $25,000 per member. Contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs or
Westpac for details of eligibility. Visit DVA’s information page for DSHL at:
www.dva.gov.au/housing/dshhome.htm.
Eligibility: - 6
Note: Members are not entitled to both the above home loans.
Superannuation Schemes and Professional Associations – Home Loans
If you are a contributor to a superannuation scheme or a member of a professional association
you may be eligible to apply for a home loan through your superannuation scheme or
professional association. Check with your provider for further details.
Productssvcsfordefenceorg1b Correct as at 19/01/05

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

2011-04-08T11:32:00.000+09:30

HOW WILL YOU COMMEMORATE ANZAC DAY?

For almost 96 years Anzac Day has had a central place in the hearts and minds of Australians.

Anzac Day is a reminder of the debt of gratitude that we owe as a nation to the Anzacs, to those who are currently serving and to those who have served in the past.

The Anzac tradition was born on the shores of Gallipoli during the First World War, when Australians embarked on their first large scale campaign in a major international conflict as a newly formed federated nation.

The exploits of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in 1915 forged a legend of courage, resourcefulness, determination and mateship.
During the next three years of the First World War, these qualities were exhibited by Australians in every theatre of war in which they fought, particularly in the Middle East and on the Western Front.

Australia suffered horrific losses with more than 60,000 deaths in the First World War, an extraordinary sacrifice for a young nation with a population of just four and a half million at the time.

A generation decimated by this horrific bloody campaign.

Australians played an important role in many of the pivotal battles leading to the eventual Allied victory in 1918 over the German forces who were occupying large areas of France and Belgium. During the course of the war Australian troops fought bravely with 64 men awarded the Victoria Cross for valour.

The Anzac spirit remained a source of inspiration for Australians in conflict throughout the last century, including the Second World War, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan, Rwanda, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands. And invariably Australia has deservedly earned a reputation for raising tough, resilient and disciplined military forces, well respected by our international allies.

This year has particular significance as we commemorate the 60th anniversaries of the Battles of Kapyong and Maryang San in the Korean War as well as the 70th anniversaries of the Siege of Tobruk and Australia’s involvement in the Allied campaigns in Greece and Crete in the Second World War.

It is vital we take the opportunity each Anzac Day to again remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and express our appreciation to all veterans who have put their lives on the line, and continue to do so, to protect Australia and our interests.

In 2011, as well as the traditional services at Gallipoli, Australians will take part in Anzac Day services at some of the most significant sites in our wartime history.

Commemorations this year will include services abroad at Villers-Bretonneux and Bullecourt (France), London (England), the Kokoda Track (Papua New Guinea), Sandakan (Malaysia) and Hellfire Pass (Thailand).

There will also be services in Afghanistan and Timor Leste and the many places around the world where members of the Australian Defence Force are currently serving, carrying on the Anzac tradition, as well as in almost every town and city, however small, across the nation.

We need no reminding that today we are at war and that in Afghanistan, Australian personnel are constantly putting their lives on the line, doing their nation's bidding in the best of the Anzac tradition.

These brave men and women will know that they are in our thoughts this Anzac Day.

As the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, I encourage each and every Australian to find new ways to commemorate Anzac Day keeping the spirit Anzac alive across the globe on 25 April 2011.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has a comprehensive website at www.dva.gov.au/anzac/

with information on planned activities, historical overviews of wars and conflicts and other excellent resources which can be downloaded directly from the site.

I encourage anyone who may have personal links to those who have died in conflict to contact the Office of Australian War Graves (wargraves@dva.gov.au) which is available to assist in locating the final resting place of a relative. The Overseas War Memorials Search (http://memorials.dva.gov.au/) provides information on many of the overseas memorials to the Australian military.

It is important that all Australians take time on Anzac Day to pause and remember the more than 102,000 Australian service personnel who have lost their lives in wars and conflicts since the turn of the 20th century.

We must recognise the sacrifices of our serving men and women who continue to fight and risk their lives in defence of our nation, to uphold our values and for the ideals of a more peaceful and stable world community.

We all owe them, and their families, forever a debt of gratitude.

Lest we forget.

The Hon Warren Snowdon MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac

Still time to register for Anzac Day updates FRANCE OR GALLIPOLI

2011-03-30T16:31:00.000+10:30

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, reminded Australians travelling to
Villers-Bretonneux, France, or Gallipoli, Turkey, for Anzac Day commemorations on 25 April this
year that there was still time to register for updates.

Mr Snowdon said that the information services provided important updates for the overseas
commemorations, including practical tips on what to bring and what to expect.
“I encourage Australians attending Anzac Day commemorations in France or Gallipoli to register
their details online before they depart. These services will ensure travellers come fully prepared
for what is a once in a lifetime experience,” he said.

The France and Gallipoli registration services provide travellers with helpful information on what
to expect on the day, what to bring and wear, weather conditions, traffic arrangements or
services, and information in the event of an emergency.

Updates are provided direct to recipients via text message or email or both.
“Each year thousands of people attend Anzac Day commemorations in France and Gallipoli.
I encourage those who are planning to attend, but have not yet registered, to do so soon to

make the most of this valuable information service
In previous years up to 7,000 people have attended the Dawn Service at Gallipoli and some

3,000 at Villers-Bretonneux.
Similar numbers are expected again in 2011.

Registration is not mandatory but is a way for Australian travellers to stay informed.
To register for France updates visit www.franceregistration.com. To register for Gallipoli
updates visit www.gallipoliregistration.com.

For more information about Anzac Day commemorations in France or Gallipoli visit

www.dva.gov.au/anzac

Anzac Day care packages for ADF members serving overseas

2011-03-11T06:34:00.000+10:30

Following requests from a number of community-based organisations and private citizens, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has established special mailing addresses for members of the public to send Anzac Day care packages to service men and women serving on operations overseas.

The ADF Joint Operations Command Director of General Support, Brigadier Dianne Gallasch, said she is moved by the desire among ordinary Australians to remember those currently serving overseas on the day the nation honours all who have made the ultimate sacrifice in present and past conflicts.

“To be serving on operations on Anzac Day is an experience no sailor, soldier, airman or airwoman forgets,” Brigadier Gallasch said.

“The significance of the challenges and sacrifices made by those who have gone before them is all the more poignant when they stop to commemorate Anzac Day on foreign soil. To know that complete strangers back home are thinking of them on this significant day and have sent a small care package is extremely heartening.”

Members of the public are able to send parcels through Australia Post, so long as they do not exceed a 2kg cubic weight limit. Items weighing up to 2kg and posted in a ‘BM’ size Australia Post carton can be posted without cost to the sender. Parcels exceeding this limit will incur full postal charges which must be paid by the sender.

The postal addresses are active from 14 March until 15 April 2011 and packages will be distributed throughout the appropriate operational areas. For postal security reasons, parcels must be posted in person with presentation of photograph identification and can be lodged at any Australia Post outlet, using the following addresses:

Middle East:

An Australian Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Airwoman
Anzac Day Mail
Middle East Operations
AFPO 60
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

East Timor

An Australian Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Airwoman
Anzac Day Mail
East Timor Operations
AFPO 61
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

Solomon Islands
An Australian Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Airwoman
Anzac Day Mail
Solomon Islands Operations
AFPO 62
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

Brigadier Gallasch said deployed service men and women usually have access to essential personal items and those care package items most often appreciated include uniquely Australian treats such as lollies, as well as magazines, books and DVDs.

“Defence subsidises care packages to deployed personnel for Anzac Day and Christmas each year. For Christmas last year, some 10 tonnes of care packages were sent to deployed personnel by members of the public, boosting morale and providing a welcome treat,” Brigadier Gallasch said.

“On behalf of those members of the ADF who will receive care packages this Anzac Day, I would like to thank the public and community groups, particularly the RSL, for their thoughtfulness and kindness.”

Information on sending Anzac Day messages and care packages is available on the Defence website at http://www.defence.gov.au/anzacday/mail/index.htm.

An alternate option to individual members of the public sending care packages is to donate to the RSL Australian Forces Overseas Fund (AFOF). Twice a year the AFOF provides packages to Australian Defence Force, Australian Federal Police and AusAID personnel serving overseas. Further information regarding the AFOF is available on the RSL web site (http://www.rsl.org.au/).

Injured RAN sailor left without enough money to feed himself

2011-03-09T23:07:00.000+10:30

Fighting ... Karl Andrews with his daughter Chloe / Pic: Nicholas Welsh Source: The Daily Telegraph

FORMER high-achieving navy sailor is having to eat every second day so he can support his eight-year-old daughter on just $130 a week.

When Karl Andrews' back was seriously injured in a workplace accident, RAN doctors wrongly fed him a cocktail of prescription drugs - including morphine.
He became addicted to the drug and was medically discharged in 2002 and labelled "drug dependent".

While military accident victims are now entitled to a tax-free pension and free medical benefits, the former navy communicator is not - which means his annual $30,000 pension is taxed and docked for child support for his two older children.

Injured Service Persons Association president Ray Brown said Mr Andrews' case was not an isolated one. Despite having fought for total and permanent incapacity status for 10 years, he was ignored by both sides of politics.

"The doctors say he can't work and if he was on a [TPI] pension he would not be taxed or assessed for child support," Mr Brown said.

He would receive a gold card for free healthcare, free public transport and car registration and other benefits.

"Because of the navy I'm forever a drug addict and I struggle with it every day. I can't live like this," Mr Andrews said.
He hopes to contact other veterans in a similar situation to form a support group. A spokeswoman for Veterans Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon said that no defence personnel were disadvantaged in treatment for accepted medical conditions no matter what legislation they were covered by.

Ian McPhedran
From: The Daily Telegraph
March 09, 2011 12:00AM

Why Yoga for PTSD?

2011-02-28T12:10:00.000+10:30

The Veterans Yoga Project

Yoga does not cure PTSD. Yoga practices are, however, a valuable complement to professional treatment for PTSD. PTSD is a complex psychological disorder that can be effectively treated with professional evidence-based psychotherapy. Unfortunately, even evidence-based psychotherapies do not work for many Veterans, and leave many other Veterans with residual symptoms. A mindful, embodied yoga practice can help provide relief from some of the symptoms of PTSD, and can help provide the supportive skills that are needed in other psychotherapeutic modalities. Yoga will not eliminate a Veteran’s PTSD symptoms, but it can support and aid in a Veteran’s healing journey.

Yoga has worked so well with many Veterans who are coping with PTSD and other trauma-related psychological difficulties because it brings them back into their body. It helps them sleep more soundly. It helps them transform anger. It helps them rediscover curiosity. It helps them experience love and happiness. It gives them the opportunity to live at their own pace and find their own truth. Veterans with PTSD use yoga as a method to regain control over a nervous system that is always “on edge”, and to regain control over self-destructive behaviors and habits. Since trauma lies in the body, mind, and spirit, we can use a holistic, integrated yoga practice to re-connect with ourselves as we are in the present moment, letting us feel comfortable in our own skin.

The healing effects of ancient yoga practices have begun to receive validation from modern science. Researchers have started to discover the pathways by which the physical postures and movements, meditation, and breathing practices support healing. In fact, many of the techniques used in yoga are strikingly similar to strategies used by clinical psychologists in the treatment of anxiety disorders including PTSD. (Veterans Yoga Project is working on a Virtual Library of resources-check back soon. In the meantime, check out our references page).

Mindful Yoga Therapy for Veterans Coping with Trauma is an empirically-informed, clinically-tested program consisting of a variety of "tools" that can help connect the mind and body. These practices or "tools" include breathing practices (pranayama), meditation, physical postures and movements (asana), and a specific form of guided imagery/meditation (Yoga Nidra). We invite you to give it a try.

DFWA MONTHLY UPDATE #257 – 15 February 2011

2011-02-21T16:36:00.000+10:30

UPDATE is a monthly news sheet produced by the Defence Force Welfare Association containing current items of interest to the Service and ex-Service community. It is widely distributed to Members of Parliament,
media outlets, senior Service and Public Service Officers and DFWA members.

THE FAIR INDEXATION BILL

On 10 February 2011 the Senate scheduled debate on the Bill proposed by the Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, to index military pensions in line with the Coalition's pre
election commitment. If passed, the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Amendment (Fair Indexation) Bill 2010 will enable DFRDB (and DFRB) superannuants aged 55 and over from 1 July 2011 to
have their pensions indexed at the higher rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) or the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI).

The debate was delayed and has been rescheduled for debate on 3 March 2011. Unsettlingly, the Government has suggested that this Bill (along with a number of others) is “unconstitutional”, as it involves introducing 'money bills' in the Senate. The disagreement about this rages on between the Houses (s53 of the
Constitution refers) and we shall see what transpires. A hung Parliament can toss up many conundrums !

During debate in the Senate on 10 February, the Greens indicated that they will not support any Bill that puts a burden on the budget without there being a mechanism for funding. Indeed if there is a reluctance to place any further “burden on the budget” then an analysis of the excess earnings of the Future Fund provides a strong argument for affordability at no conceivable extant cost to the “on-book” budget. The Association, in concert with the Superannuated Commonwealth Officers Association has made representations along these lines, providing an analysis of how the Future Fund could be utilised.

Finally, the Association was disappointed in the advice provided to Senators and MPs by the Parliamentary Library on the Bill in its Bill Digest #55, finding it flawed in many aspects. The Association has issued its own commentary on the Bill and this has been distributed to all Senators and MPs.

We again call upon all elected Senators and Members of Parliament to show their support for the military and veteran community by supporting the legislation, and following up with further legislation to ensure all military superannuants are included. In particular, we call on those independent members who have previously voiced their support for the provisions contained within the legislation, to show their support by voting accordingly.

LIVING-COST RISES OUTPACE INFLATION

The Association welcomes the confirmation in today’s The Age that living-cost indices released by the Bureau of Statistics show the increases facing families, age pension households and welfare beneficiaries have all outpaced the CPI. Working households faced extra costs of 4.5 per cent in the year to December,
age pensioners 3.1 per cent and welfare recipients 4.5 per cent. The CPI grew 2.7 per cent. The bureau says there are different reasons for each group. Age pensioners spend a relatively high proportion of their income on utility bills and fruit and vegetables, both of which shot up in price in the year to December.

Does this mean the consumer price index is a poor guide to living costs? The bureau says it does. It is meant to be a measure of inflation rather than living costs, a very different concept, which is why the bureau produces separate living-cost indices.

The good news for pensioners is they get a choice. Their payments are adjusted twice a year in line with eitherthe CPI, the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living-Cost Index or Male Total Average Earnings, whichever has increased the fastest. For Military superannuants of course there is only bad news!

SENATE QUESTIONS ON NOTICE

On a closely related matter, the Department of Finance and Deregulation continues to drag its heels by its delays in responding to the Questions placed by Senator Humphries on 16 November 2010 on matters relating to the flawed Matthews report and other matters relating to indexation. To date, replies to just one question out of nine have been received, and that over two months after it was due.

REVIEW OF DVA FUNDED ADVOCACY AND WELFARE SERVICES REPORT

The Association will closely examine the Review of Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)–Funded Ex-Service Organisation (ESO) Advocacy and Welfare Services Report which was released yesterday.

Whilst the aims of the review are laudable – ie, to provide a prescribed framework to ensure veterans, war widow/ers and their families have access to quality advocacy, welfare and support services – there may be unexpected consequences that will need close examination.

The Review covered the Building Excellence in Support and Training Program (BEST), Training Information Program (TIP), and the Veteran and Community Grants (V&C) program.

MINISTER’S RESPONSE - RELEASE OF SERVICE RECRDS

The Association was pleased to receive a detailed response from the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel to our concerns about the release of Service Records by the National Archives. The Minister acknowledged that the fairness of a particular decision to release information is not an issue that can be easily
resolved.

Of specific interest was the Minister’s advice that both the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court have determined that information relating to a person’s professional affairs, including their employment performance, is not considered to be their personal affairs. The Association acknowledges this however suggests that ADF records are, by their nature, more detailed and contain more sensitive and personal information than any civilian employment record would contain!

The Minister also advises that the National Archives policy for the release of deceased members’ medical information is that it will release information unless it contains information about medical conditions that are hereditary and that such release may constitute an unreasonable disclosure of a third party’s personal affairs.

However, the Association wonders whether National Archives officers are medically qualified to make such a decision?

OUR THANKS TO THE ADF

The Association, along with its partners in the Alliance of Defence Service Organizations, expresses its thanks to the ADF for the support provided in the recent natural disasters that have plagued Australia. Once again the true grit of the members of the ADF was on display for the Nation to see and the community owes them a great deal.

We offer our sincere and profound sympathies to all those who were adversely impacted by the disasters.

Media Contacts

Executive Director:

Les Bienkiewicz 0411 444248
http://www.dfwa.org.au/
National President:

David Jamison 0416 107557

Robert S Buick MM JP - Gallantry award

2011-02-17T12:46:00.000+10:30

Last year the Australian government awarded the highest unit gallantry citation to D Company the Sixth Battalion Royal Australian Regiment for its gallantry in the Battle of Long Tan 18 August 1966.

LtCol Smith was awarded the nation’s second highest individual gallant award, the Star of Gallantry, and 2Lts Kendall and Sabben the Medal for Gallantry earlier in 2009.

LtCol Harry Smith SG MC arranged with Her Excellency the Governor General for the investiture of the three officers of their Gallantry Awards and the company members the Unit Citation for Gallantry (UCG) and the next of kin of those veterans now dead to be done at Yarralumla.

The G-G agreed but this important and significant event was stymied by the Chief of Defence and Defence Department. The government refused to approve the transport arrangements for members from their place of residence to Canberra and return.

The veterans, and those of the veteran community who were aware of this refusal, were angry and disappointed. There is still no date when the veterans will be awarded with the UCG emblem and Harry Smith will have his Star of Gallantry pinned to his chest during a function at Maryborough early March by his local federal Member of Parliament..

Today I have received two phone calls from Long Tan veterans who are again spitting chips because the Australian government flew detained illegal entries from Christmas Island to attend the funeral for those who tragically died when the boat they used from Indonesia was shipwrecked on Christmas Island late last year. I accept and applauded this humanitarian service but I too am not happy with the CDF and Defence Department refusing war veterans their honour they are also entitled to.

They could not understand how, or why, their government would approved the cost for non citizens to attend a funeral yet deny this nation’s war veterans transport to Canberra to received Gallantry awards from the Governor General.

Robert S Buick MM JP
24 Mountain Ash Drive
Mountain Creek 4557 Qld
07 5452 5890
strait8@bigpond.com

Government to replace medals lost in natural disasters

2011-02-10T16:46:00.000+10:30

Directorate of Honours and Awards

Government to replace medals lost in natural disasters

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator the Hon David Feeney, today announced that the Government will relax the policy on replacement of Australian Defence Force (ADF) medals so that medals lost during the Queensland and Victorian floods, the impact of Cyclone Yasi and the fires in Western Australia can be replaced.

“Government policy for many years has been medals can only be issued to the ADF member who earned them,” Senator Feeney said.

“This usually means that medals cannot be replaced if they are lost or destroyed after the ADF member has died.”

Where medals are lost in natural disasters, however, this policy may be relaxed. This was done following the Victorian bushfires in 2009.

“While the Government is committed to maintaining the integrity of our system of military honours and awards, there are circumstances in which the Australian community rightly expects us to show greater flexibility in implementing the existing policy. I believe this unprecedented series of natural disasters is one of those circumstances,” Senator Feeney said.

“I have therefore decided that ADF medals may be reissued to the next of kin or other appropriate relative of deceased ADF members, if the medals have been lost or destroyed in the current natural disasters. Family members who have, in the course of these natural disasters, lost the medals of loved ones, may now make application for replacements.

“Unfortunately, however, only medals dating back to the First World War can be replaced. Medals for conflicts prior to this war are no longer in production.”

Applicants should use the application form and statutory declaration located on the Defence Honours and Awards website at: www.defence.gov.au/medals

Completed applications should be submitted to: Directorate of Honours and Awards

Department of Defence, PO Box 7952, Canberra BC, ACT 2610. Enquiries may also be directed to Defence Honours and Awards toll free on 1800 111 321.

Help for Flood affected veterans

2011-01-19T03:26:00.000+10:30

Both Di and I feel for all those affected by the floods, not only in Queensland but Australia wide. We would like to do our bit to help with the recovery, but Di's Military commitments preclude this. (Yes she is still serving and almost ready to complete her 36th year). I was involved with the cleanup with 6RAR in the '74 floods so I have a pretty good understanding of the problems faced by all affected.

As you may know, I have been mounting medals professionally for about 16 years, and because of that I thought I might offer my services to those affected by the floods.

I am offering all veterans the following:
If service medals were damaged as a result of the floods, I will
polish, re-ribbon and mount all damaged medals FREE of charge;

If Service medals were lost I can replace with high grade Replicas at
cost price(normally about $10.00 ea). I will ribbon and mount any replica medal purchased, FREE of charge.

The turn-around time would be about 7-10 days after either receiving original medals or notification of Replicas required.

From my understanding, lost medals will take about 4-6 months to replace.
The only cost to the Veteran will be return postage via Yellow Express Bag ($10.00 approx) and cost price of any Replicas required.

Should anyone want to avail themselves of my offer, I can be contacted in any of the following ways:

Phone: 02 9938 3572
Mobile: 0410 519968
e-mail: kayel@iprimus.com.au

regards Kev Lunny, Sunray 32

FLOOD DISASTER PHONE NUMBERS

2011-01-16T00:27:00.000+10:30

SES 132 500

ROAD CLOSURES 131 940 or www.131940.qld.gov.au

DISASTER RECOVERY HOTLINE 1800 173 349

POLICE (EMERGENCY) 000

CENTRELINK 180 22 66 or www.centrelink.gov.au

INSURANCE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA 1300 728 228

GENERAL ENQUIRIES & ASSISTANCE 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

COMMUNITY RECOVERY LINE 1800 173 349

LEGAL AID QUEENSLAND 1300 65 11 88

FINANCIAL OMBUDSMAN SERVICE 1800 337 444

SALVATION ARMY 1300 363 622

LIFELINE 13 11 14

RED CROSS 1300 554 419

REPLACEMENT OF DOCUMENTS

Land titles
Natural Resources and Water
13 13 04

Driver’s Licence
Queensland Transport
13 23 80

Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates
Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
1300 366 430

Business Registration
Office of Fair Trading
13 13 04

Letter to ESO National President

2011-01-13T21:02:00.000+10:30

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Mr John Ryan OAM
National President
Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women

tpifedhq@bigpond.com

Dear Mr Ryan

With the escalating flooding crisis in Queensland and northern NSW, I am writing to let you know that

the Department is doing all it can to ensure the veteran community can continue to access our services

and that additional assistance is provided to ease hardship where required.

We have been monitoring the situation very closely for the past couple of weeks, with special

arrangements put in place between the Deputy Commissioners in Queensland and New South Wales.

With the temporary closure of our main Brisbane office, our Brisbane VVCS office and our

Toowoomba VAN, the Department has re-routed telephone enquiries through the Veterans’ Services

Centre to interstate offices.

If required, the veteran community can continue to access information on insurance, payments and

counselling by telephoning the usual numbers. Veterans who have their property insured with Defence

Service Homes Insurance and whose property has been affected by the floods are encouraged to contact

their local customer service officer on 1300 552 662. The VVCS (Veterans and Veterans Families

Counselling Service) may be contacted on 1800 011 046, 24 hours a day.

The Department is working with other Commonwealth agencies, State Governments and charitable and

community organisations to ensure a range of support services offering personal, emotional,

psychological and financial help is available.

Additional services will be required well into the future as the floods peak, dissipate and the clean-up

phase gets underway. In the meantime, I seek your assistance in letting us know of any member of the

veteran community that you feel needs urgent departmental assistance. Referrals can be made by

contacting the Deputy Commissioner’s office in each State.

Yours sincerely

Ian Campbell

Secretary

13 January 2011

Qld Flood Information

2011-01-12T09:40:00.000+10:30

Queensland Flood Information

1300 993 191

RAAOC VIETNAM MELBOURNE 2012

2011-01-06T19:27:00.000+10:30

Expression of intent

Reunion will be held on:

· Friday, 2 March – Saturday, 3 March & Sunday, 4 March 2012

Please fill in your details on the attached proforma and return it to us to advise your intent of attending.

We will keep you informed via regular updates as arrangements and costs are finalised.

Preliminary Details:

Date	Time	Event
Friday, 2 March	6:30 pm	Meet and Greet
Saturday, 3 March	Morning and afternoon	Free time
Saturday, 3 March	7:00 pm	Mixed dinner with candles
Sunday, 4 March	9:00 am	Service at The Shrine of Remembrance
Sunday, 4 March	11:00 am	Depart for Bay Cruise with lunch

We propose to negotiate competitive rates with all of the above.

Costs: TBA

Transport: Pick up and return to and from the airport, will be via Airport Shuttle Bus and will be arranged personally by the attendee. The following internet addresses of Airport Shuttle Buses are provided to facilitate your timings and costs.:

· Jetbus Melbourne – www.jetbus.com.au/Melbourne

· Skybus – www.skybus.com.au

· Airport shuttle bus Melbourne – www.viator.com

Transport to the Shrine of Remembrance and to the boarding point for the Bay Cruise and back to the hotel at the conclusion of the Cruise will be arranged by the Committee.

All enquiries are to Ted, Mick, Wayne and George

Committee:

Ted Beard (President)	03 9761 9379
edbeard@bigpond.com	0429 052 848

Mick Fidler (advisor and advertising)	03 9870 2111
mtf37@bigpond.com

Wayne Wright (hotel, meet & greet)	03 9748 2172
batarang666@bigpond.com	0417 589 676

George Soumilas (treasurer, cruise person)	03 9598 0090
geohel1@optusnet.com.au	0409 220 378

Rick De Pasquale (secretary & dog’s body)
rde56262@bigpond.net.au

RAAOC VIETNAM

MELBOURNE 2012

REUNION

Expression of intent

First Name: ……………………

Surname: …………………….

Nickname: …………………….

Partners First Name: ……………………..

Surname: ……………………..

Address: ……………………………………….

……………………………………….

………………………………………..

State ………….. Postcode ………….

Email: ………………………………………………..

Phone Number: ……………………………………………..

Please return to:

Rick De Pasquale: PO Box 214, Greensborough Vic 3088

War memorial

2011-01-05T14:53:00.000+10:30

Australian War Memorial in grip of cash crisis

Phillip Hudson
January 05, 2011 12:00AM

THE Australian War Memorial is facing "crippling financial circumstances" as it gears up to commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli landing.
Confidential advice to the Gillard Government has revealed the memorial is considering severe job losses and cuts that will deliver a savage blow to its reputation if it does not get a budget boost.
The Canberra landmark is one of the nation's most popular tourist attractions and is visited by thousands of Victorian school children every year.
Opposition veterans' affairs spokesman Michael Ronaldson called on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to urgently fix the problem after it was revealed the Rudd government had knocked back a $5 million financial injection.
Departmental advice to Veterans Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon after the election, known as the "Red Book", revealed the memorial was facing a crisis.

Surviving a Taliban grenade only to be cast aside

2011-01-04T23:32:00.000+10:30

by Paul Toohey

Sergeant Andrew Cave of the SAS pictured in Adelaide near the Torrens River. Picture: Matt Turner Source: AdelaideNow

SERGEANT Andrew Cave was in the lawless Chora Valley, north of Tarin Kowt, patrolling with members of the Special Air Service Regiment.
They came across a surreal scene - remnants of Afghan security forces leaving the valley, ragged, vanquished and battle-shocked.
The SAS went searching for the cause of this rout.
They encountered a sizeable Taliban force and heavy combat took place.
The Diggers used everything they had - .50 calibre machine guns, 40mm grenades, 7.62mm machine guns and 84mm rockets - but the Taliban were relentless.
They began "whaling", battle-talk for swarming.
Cave thought the troop's right flank was exposed and they were in danger of being over-run.
He led two long-range patrol vehicles to the flank and held position under Taliban fire.
Apache gunships moved in providing cover when an insurgent's rocket-propelled grenade, designed to stop a tank, exploded just metres over Cave's head.
"It felt like I had been hit by a sledgehammer. The blast sent shockwaves through my body. I collapsed to the ground, rose, recommenced firing, however I succumbed to the strike and collapsed to the ground bleeding, very dazed, ears ringing. The world was spinning," he said.
It was 2006. The South Australian soldier's troubles were just beginning.
Cave was one of our most experienced serving SAS soldiers.
He still is. He has had 25 years at the elite level of soldiering. But that blast had a profound effect on him and his regiment. He developed PTSD - post-traumatic stress disorder.
Cave was the first serving soldier in this most exclusive and secretive regiment with the courage to put his hand up and admit he had a problem.
He did the right thing. Now, at 43, he is about to be medically discharged. This is not his choice. His anger is controlled.
He believed that Defence meant a job for life, but there was no job for him. He had given his loyalty and almost gave his life.
The day of his wounding remains close. His carotid artery was exposed in his neck. His head and neck were peppered with shrapnel.
He was deaf from the blast. He wasn't wearing a helmet but his body armour - now laced with metal - had saved him. Ballistic goggles saved his sight.
He staggered back to his vehicle where two of his patrol members were still returning fire. Cave's mates rendered first aid and drove him out of the contact area.
He remembers being loaded on to a quad bike, then a US helicopter, escorted by Apaches, airlifted him to the Tarin Kowt trauma station in the Oruzgan province.
He was attended to by an American surgeon, stabilised, then evacuated further north to a combat surgical hospital at Bagram air field.
Two of Cave's colleagues were awarded Medals of Gallantry that day, and the assisting medic who drove him out under fire was awarded the Commendation of Gallantry.
Cave wishes he was still with the regiment. He's not an ex-army axe-grinder. He wishes he hadn't stayed those extra five minutes on the right flank and instead made a tactical withdrawal.
But the same tenacity that led to his wounding while holding the flank also explains why he is so well regarded in the SAS.
A psychiatrist who has treated Cave said the sense of grief elite troops felt when removed from their band of brothers was intense.
"I tell them they can't do this job until they're 65," he said.
"There's only so much horror any one person can tolerate in their life. You can only reach into the well of courage so many times before the well runs dry."
Cave must now try to find some contentment being, as he calls it, a "warrior diplomat" for veterans suffering blast trauma and PTSD.
It is the SAS Association and the regiment in Perth which have encouraged him to tell his story. They know he's not a spent force. He has the charisma to make difference.
PTSD is not supposed to happen to SAS troopers. They are meant to prevail over mental trauma.
But science now knows that PTSD does not only come about from experiencing difficult events.
It is medically accepted by US and British experts that waves of concussive force from improvised explosive devices and rocket propelled grenades can cause traumatic brain injury.
This can lead to PTSD, which can result in anxiousness, disconnection, hyper-arousal, a constant sense of danger and self-harmful behaviour which can lead to suicide.
Cave outed himself as having PTSD three years ago. The regiment was fiercely protective.
Despite knowledge of PTSD stretching back to WWI, when it was called shell shock, the Defence Department had no procedures to help Cave. He hit the ropes.
CAVE is not talking to attack the SAS, to which he remains devoutly loyal. But, with Afghanistan now an IED war, mental damage from blast trauma is a growing problem. He wonders if Defence is ready.
There are some signs that Defence is finally catching up with mental health issues, but it came too late for Cave. His problems started in Bagram, at the combat army surgical hospital. Australians with serious wounds are now flown directly to West Germany, but not Cave.
"Unfortunately I went from priority one to priority two and I was not airlifted to Germany," he said.
"I stayed in that hospital for seven, eight days. There were dozens of Afghan nationals coming in with IED blasts, bullet wounds, amputations, and children so deformed with burns you could barely make out their features. They were screaming day and night. A Taliban fighter was under armed guard and the lights were on 24 hours a day. I truly to this day am in painful awe of the level of trauma in that ward and my sympathy is with those victims."
SAS commanders wanted him out of Afghanistan, in proper care.
The Australians organised a C-130 Hercules to airlift him to Dubai, to an American civilian hospital. He flew on a commercial flight to Perth, in the care of a doctor. Nine or 10 days after being wounded Cave had neurosurgery, an inexplicable delay.
His wounds were so significant he required subsequent facial surgery and neurosurgery. Aside from head trauma he had sensory-neural loss, which caused loss of balance, hearing loss, an upper cervical condition - commonly called whiplash - and shrapnel wounds.
He spent the next two to three months stabilising and rehabilitating.
"I started to feel significant post-trauma symptoms," he said. "Severe anxiety, anger, nightly hyper-arousal and nightmares - stacking furniture up against your door in the middle of the night is hardly normal," he said.
His memory was poor. A trusted medical officer persuaded him to become an outpatient of a Perth mental health clinic, where he stayed for three weeks.
"I probably was released too early. I was diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder," he said.
I met Cave in one of those old suburban Adelaide pubs which every other city seems to have killed off.
When he walked in he was not hard to spot. SAS really are a little different, in style and approach. He could have been a senior AFL player, the same fitness but with very different game-day experience.
His hair is sharp rockabilly. He wears boots, jeans, T-shirt - an intelligent, highly evolved Australian soldier.
A former SAS officer describes Cave's place in the regiment: "He's reliable. He's a true warhorse, with immense experience across a broad spectrum of operations - desert, jungle, open savannah, urban, Iraq, Afghanistan. And he's the king of the counter-terrorist environment. You've met him. He's somebody."
The surgeons did a good job. There's no obvious evidence of his facial surgery. He's a little emotional, at times, leaning back to pause and correct himself. On one occasion during the evening his face is gripped by a palsy which freezes the area under his mouth. It passes.
It was the SAS old-boys network - which has fought so hard for better treatment for wounded Diggers and widows - which encouraged him to talk. But a speech given in Townsville earlier this month by Chief of Army, Lieutenant-General Ken Gillespie, has also given Cave hope that Defence might finally be getting real about PTSD.
Gillespie said PTSD had long been under-recognised, under-reported and marginalised. He could have been talking about Cave when he said: "We would be badly mistaken to view those suffering from PTSD as being somewhat less robust, less masculine, less tough - less of a soldier than the rest of us. I would strongly encourage you to confront PTSD where you see these early signs, to call it out and to seek help."
Cave believes Gillespie is sincere. But he wishes Defence had acted earlier on his behalf. After all, Gillespie said PTSD had been around "as long as armies have gathered and wars have been fought".
Cave would become a spokesman for PTSD but first he took himself on a self-destructive journey.
"I believe the SAS Regiment treated me brilliantly, but I don't believe anyone was ready for my descent into post-trauma," he said.
"I did almost an authorised runner. I shot through to Brisbane and lived in a near-empty house for three months. I was heavily sedated. I was living a very Spartan life."
He said he was lucky to come across Dr Michael Norton in Brisbane, who had established a fledgling ADF mental health unit. Norton viewed Cave as one of the four worst cases of PTSD he had ever seen. Cave believes sessions with Norton saved his life.
"I was probably lucky to survive that 12 months. There was a lot of self-harm, a lot of drinking through 2007-08, a lot of waking up in people's frontyards, gardens, parks, sides of roads. I was arrested for fighting. I had every classic sign of severe PTSD. The mental health unit was very good but they gave me enough rope."
He went to Melbourne, to one of his best friends - a commanding officer.
The SAS network came into play and he started getting stability. In Brisbane, another infantry battalion commander took him under his wing.
"I slowly started to piece together my life. This was where the old boys' network helped. I'd become almost catastrophic," he said.
"I am not able to thank them enough. They cut me some slack but the biggest thing was being welcomed back and absorbed. I was getting better.
"Eventually I went back to the SAS Regiment in Perth and I was posted back into a squadron for 18 months. This was a massive morale-boosting moment but not without its troubles. PTSD unfortunately can affect you so you'll never really get over it, and on occasions it came back to bite hard."
Cave's whole mindset was geared towards getting back to Afghanistan. He did a dance between Veterans Affairs, seeking medical assistance for his condition but trying to conceal the fact he was on medication from the Defence Department, because it would deny him a return to active service.
"I kept on trying to get back to the regiment," he said.
"If I didn't have them, I would have necked myself. I was in such a state I needed to get my pride back, my respect, especially when I was combusting. They allowed me to do that. But I was not well."
The SAS encouraged Cave to meet then defence minister John Faulkner, along with senior Defence and DVA personnel, in order to get the message out that PTSD was reality even in Australia's most elite force.
Gillespie said in his recent speech that there was a misconception that diagnosis of PTSD need not result in discharge. Still, that's what happened to Cave. The womb-to-the-tomb Defence philosophy did not come true for Cave.
"I wish it was there for me but it's not. If you destroy that belief by not delivering, it's almost like a benevolent father has discarded you," he said.
"I was treated really well by individuals but I will say Defence didn't have suitable policies in place to better handle my career."
The moment, when it came, was crushing. The decision was made to discharge him on medical grounds.
"Believe me, the regiment were brilliant, they would have kept me. But once the medical officer says a person should be discharged, it's a death sentence. It's the plague, a mark against your door. You're gone. That's the way it was," he said.
Cave said there were not too many jobs out there for an ex-SAS soldier. He spent last year studying at Monash University and will go to Adelaide University next year.
He hopes to get an arts degree and maybe become a school teacher, or perhaps work with people suffering PTSD.
Cave gives you confidence he will be a highly valued member of society. The question is why Defence does not see him that way

Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health

2010-12-19T10:13:00.000+10:30

Welcome

The Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health (CMVH) is an internationally-unique academic, community and military partnership dedicated to innovatively seeking solutions to military and veterans’ health issues through:

We invite you to explore how our team of researchers, health practitioners and serving Australian Defence Force personnel are working together to better understand and address the health and wellbeing needs of Australia’s military men, women and families.

United States’ Afghanistan-Pakistan Strategy Review

2010-12-17T21:03:00.002+10:30

I welcome the United States’ December Review of its Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy, announced by President Obama on 16 December 2010.

This Review has been an important opportunity to assess whether the implementation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy and the transition to Afghan responsibility for security is on track.

It has taken some time for the international community to get that strategy right, and match that with sufficient resources.

The Government welcomes the Review’s assessment that progress is being made. This is in line with Australia’s own observations in Uruzgan Province. Nevertheless, our task is to ensure that this progress and the gains we have made are consolidated and not reversed.

President Obama has identified a number of challenges in this Review. The most significant of these will be improving governance within Afghanistan, and supporting Pakistan’s efforts to address the threat posed by violent extremists.

On this first challenge, the international community, including Australia, is working with the Government of Afghanistan to improve governance and address corruption.

More broadly, as the Prime Minister and I made clear during the recent Parliamentary debate, Australia expects the Afghan Government to continue to make progress on combating corruption.
We reinforced this expectation during the NATO Summit in Lisbon in November, where President Karzai also reaffirmed his commitment to anti-corruption efforts.

On the second challenge, the Government believes that the international community must engage with Pakistan, in concert with efforts in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan-Pakistan border is highly permeable and remains a threat to sustainable progress in stabilising Afghanistan.

Australia is working closely with Pakistan to improve its capability to address the threat posed by violent extremists, significantly increasing our defence engagement with Pakistan over the past two years.
These challenges will require a greater focus over the coming year. But the international community now has the right strategy. The Government is committed to working with the United States and our partners in the International Security Assistance Force to achieve a secure and stable Afghanistan.

AUSTRALIANS SHARE THEIR VISION TO COMMEMORATE 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

2010-12-17T21:01:00.000+10:30

AUSTRALIANS SHARE THEIR VISION TO COMMEMORATE
100 YEARS OF SERVICE

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Warren Snowdon, said the public have
submitted their ideas to mark the Anzac Centenary in 2015, to recognise
a century of service since Federation.

Mr Snowdon said over the past few months more than 600 public
submissions and 1200 ideas detailing ways for Australia to mark this
important anniversary have been considered by the National Commission on
the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary.

Mr Snowdon thanked the public for their contribution, and said
submissions were received from individuals, schools, community groups,
ex-service organisations and local and state governments across the
country.

"The Anzac Centenary in 2015 is an important milestone in the wartime
history of Australia, marking 100 years of Australian service since
Federation. There is a broad spectrum of ideas covering education,
theatre, music, art, poetry, memorials and memorabilia however,
overwhelmingly, Australians want to hear about the personal accounts,
both past and present, of our servicemen and women.

"Ideas have included local community activities, engaging with former
servicemen and women, revisiting the history of key battles and learning
the untold stories of Australian service.

"There is also a collective view that any opportunities where we can
learn from the experience of war in furthering our aims for peace are
very important," Mr Snowdon said.

The National Commission on the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary held
its final meeting for the year in Melbourne today ahead of its report to
Government in early 2011.

The Commission was established on April 25 2010 to engage with the
community, listen to their ideas and suggestions about how our nation
can mark this significant milestone, and recommend a way forward to the
Government.

Commission members are former Prime Ministers the Right Hon Malcolm
Fraser PC, AC, CH and the Hon Bob Hawke AC, the National President of
the RSL RADM Ken Doolan AO (Retd), editorial cartoonist and journalist
Warren Brown, former ADF member and peacekeeper
MAJ Matina Jewell (Retd) and veteran advocate and nurse Kylie Russell.

For more information visit www.anzaccentenary.gov.au

PRESS CONFERENCE

2010-12-17T10:20:00.002+10:30

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith will hold a press conference today in Perth to discuss Australia’s response to the US Afghanistan-Pakistan Strategy Review and to release an update to the public Defence Capability Plan.

WHEN: Friday 17 December 2010

TIME: 10 am (WST)

WHERE:            Conference Room, Level 39,
                          Exchange Plaza,
                          Sherwood Court, Perth

Note:              Media please wait in the building foyer to be escorted to the conference room.

Media Contact: Mary Bagnall (0434 665 067)

Ex-Service members to touchbase for support

2010-12-17T09:07:00.000+10:30

touchbase is a pilot program for personnel recently separated from the ADF or those thinking to do so.
The website www.touchbase.gov.au provides useful information and links to resources on a wide range of topics, from sporting clubs and entertainment to counselling services and mental health information.
The touchbase program is a joint DVA/Defence initiative and aims to make it easier for ex-service members and their families to access relevant information.
You can also sign up to receive the touchbase e-newsletter and read stories of interest to, and about, ex-service members in civilian life.

New Year is a chance to change

2010-12-17T09:05:00.002+10:30

VVCS – The Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service offers a range of free group programs which provide a great excuse for a better you in 2011.
Programs include Heart Health – a health and fitness program, Doing Anger Differently, Mastering Anxiety, Sleeping Better, a depression program called Beating the Blues and Building Better Relationships – a program for couples. If you have recently left Defence or are in the process of transitioning, the Stepping Out program may be for you.

VVCS also offers free counselling services, for more information go to www.dva.gov.au/vvcs or call 1800 011 046

Services over the festive season

2010-12-17T09:04:00.000+10:30

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs offices will close at 5pm on Friday 24 December 2010 and will re-open 9am Tuesday 4 January 2011. Despite this, many important services will still be available.
The free Veterans Line counselling service will be staffed throughout the Christmas and New Year period and can be accessed by calling 1800 011 046 (free call from landline phone).
Emails and telephone calls regarding complaints, general enquiries and feedback may not be actioned until the New Year. Visit the DVA website for more information on the full range of services available.

2010-12-15T23:06:00.000+10:30

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
Department of Veterans, Affairs
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Mrs Pam Forsdyke OAM
Vietnam Veterans' Association of Australia
National Council, NSW Branch Inc.
PO Box 81
VINCENTIA NSW 2540

Dear Mrs Forsdyke OAM

I am writing to alert you that members of the veteran community have again been contacted
by recent scammers.

Several incidents have been reported to DVA in which members of the veteran community
have been approached via mail or telephone by individuals claiming to be from private
organisations or government agencies offering a range of goods anJ services, and asking for personal information including banking details.

These approaches are false and I feel it is timely to remind members of the veteran community
to exercise caution when releasing their personal information.

We are not aware of any monetary loss to veterans as a result of these incidents at this stage
but I ask you to urge your members to be careful about releasing personal information.

Veterans, war widows or widowers are encouraged to contact DVA if they have any concerns
or if they feel they have been targeted by a scam. The Department can be contacted on
133 254 (for metropolitan callers) or 1800 555 254 (for non-metropolitan callers.l.

The Govemment's Scamwatch website - www.scamwatch.gov.au - contains useful
information to help you be aware of potential scams that regularly circulate around our
communities, and how to protect private information

I thank you for your assistance in informing your members.

Yours sincerely

Ian Campbell
Secretary

9 December 2010

VETERANS RETREATS

2010-12-15T01:51:00.000+10:30

Hi all,

A short note to wish all a MERRY XMAS from the committee of VETERANS RETREATS of WESTERN AUSTRALIA inc. And inform you that we will have good news early in the new year .Our secretary is preparing a flyer to flick around . We also hope to have the web page up and running soon. Please send this around to all the veterans you know and see you all at Meentheena this year.

Norman L. Whitburn
President
Veterans Retreats of Western Australia. Inc.
Ph / FAX(08) 9646 1021
Mob. 0428 4444 87

When I left the Fire and Rescue Services, I realised that there was a need for Veterans and Para-Military Veterans who are still suffering from their operational experiences and no Government authority has ever addressed their needs such as a respite for us to chill out. There are no exceptions regarding veterans of the Para-military, Police, Fire-fighters and Ambulance Officers (who in particular have probably had a “double dose”). I did some research on what would be the ideal situation for all veterans to chill out and to find somewhere in a remote situation where minimal outside interference would benefit them. I started a search when I left the Fire and Rescue Services in 2000 and came up with a disused cattle station called Carson River in the Kimberley and was welcomed by the owners at Kalumbaru with open arms, but was not welcomed by the Kimberley Land Council nor A.T.S.I.C . This disappointed the Kalumbaru people as they then felt that tourism would be good for them. It was quite a few years later when I asked a cousin of mine if they would be able to have a small area on Yarrie Station. He showed enthusiasm until realising the numbers that were expected to visit the site. He suggested another site at the neighbouring Meentheena Cattle Station that was a conservation reserve controlled by the Department of Conservation (D.E.C.) It was then that I started to make enquiries and begin negotiations with that department. Mr Brendon Grylls (Regional Development Minister and WA Nationals Leader) had been told by the Wheatbelt Veterans Group at Merredin what I was doing and he called me to a meeting to explain what my intentions were and for how long. He also invited the new Committee to Parliament House for lunch.
We have had approval and support from our State politicians, such as Grant Woodhams (our greatest supporter), Rob Johnston and Donna Farragh. At the current time a licence is being put together by the Department of Environment and Conservation, but until then we have our hands tied as we wish to remain transparent as a project this size has never been attempted in Australia and is quite unique. I have not yet had a response from the federal politicians and I think a trip to Canberra may be in order soon.
Meentheena Cattle Station is 75kms from Marble Bar, the hottest place in Australia and is situated on the Nullagine River. The Nullagine is a fresh water river that flows in the wet and flows underground in the dry, appearing in billabongs that have a permanent fish population. The whole 695,000 acres would have to be a photographer, artist, prospector, fisherman, conservationist, bushwalker and bird watcher’s dream (along with those who just want peace and quiet).
The structure on the station is very sound and needs minimal completion to be brought up to a standard for use . There is a camp kitchen that is in good condition and other structures and yards that can be used. Camping will be the main-stay there and the accommodation will be for the disabled and the frail with a R.A.P. (Regimental Aid Post or First Aid Post) for emergencies. The Department of Environment and Conservation is going to make sure it is accessible by conventional vehicles and caravans. The first camp from the bitumen is 3kms on the western side and to the eastern camp, a further 4kms. From Perth it is approximately 1450kms, with the shortest route going through Nullagine and a further 6 hours if visitors stick to the bitumen.

When the Department of Environment and Conservation give us a licence, we will be accepting membership per Veteran and Associate Members of $25. We already have some Honorary Members, (i.e. professionals who want to assist the veterans).
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact the following:
Veterans Retreats of Western Australia. Inc. - Phone/Fax - 08) 9646 1021 and Mobile - 0428 444 487
President, Norm Whitburn - 08) 9646 1021
Vice President, Peter Fitzpatrick - 0419 931 627
Secretary, Derek Philips - 95864222
Treasurer, Les Hall - 0435 905 888
Committee, John Schnaars - 0417 955 914

Overseas Medical Vaccinations

2010-12-14T22:13:00.002+10:30

Earlier this year after submissions had been made to me at an AVADSC meeting in Brisbane I approached the Deputy Commissioner in the Queensland Consultative Forum regarding Gold Card holders being required to pay for Medical Vaccinations prior to overseas travel, I have now received a positive outcome.

Prior to 1st Aug 2010 DVA has not provided coverage for medical vaccinations for DVA clients travelling overseas, the approach was that these were privately incurred expenses.

DVA has now released a new Business Line where in it now states that as from the 1st Aug 2010 all GOLD CARD holders are eligible for all required vaccinations to be covered under the Gold Card arrangements.

Any Gold Card holders that may have incurred charges from 1st August 2010 are able to seek reimbursement via DVA. I would expect a fact sheet covering this to be issued shortly.

I ask that you make this information widely available to your friends and association membership, I will send you a copy of the DVA Fact Sheet once it becomes available.
If you or anyone else has any questions ask them to contact their nearest DVA VAN office.

Regards

Gordon Blake

Chairman

QLD State Advisory Council

Australian Veterans’ & Defence Services Council

Cavalry Memorial

2010-12-14T21:49:00.001+10:30

Our friends in Cavalry are trying to raise funds for a Cavalry Memorial for Vietnam service to be at Tongala, Victoria, where a Light Horse Memorial already is in place. Trying to have one at Puckapunyal is not feasible due to present procedures for access to Defence properties which would severely restrict access by visitors and families.
The design has been done and now fund-raising is the big concern.

As many of us enjoyed travel in the Black Beret Cabs (BBC) back then, some might wish to make a donation to assist.

The association website is: http://3cav.asn.au

Donations can be sent to:

3rd Cavalry Regiment (Vietnam) Memorial Account

61 Sawtell Road, TOORMINA NSW 2452

(This is the address of Dallas Burrage, association treasurer, on 02-6658-7339.)

regards from rainy Maryborough

Lex McAulay

DVA - HOME MODIFICATION PROGRAM

2010-12-12T08:59:00.000+10:30

The objective of the home modifications program is to assist you to remain in your home with enhanced independence and safety and to reduce dependency on carers.
Modifications also reduce the likelihood of having to move residence and the consequent dislocation from family, friends and community and to reduce the risk of falls. An example of a home modification is the replacement of a bath with a hobless shower to allow safe, independent showering and many other modifications are also available that address safety and access in the home. These include internal and /or external rails and/or ramps to access your home. Household adaptive appliances are items used to assist you if you have difficulty with everyday tasks, for example turning a key in a lock or opening jars. Items such as jar openers, key turners and reaching appliances are available to assist you.

If you have a Repatriation Health Card – For All Conditions (Gold Card) you may be eligible for home modifications, where there is a clinical need. If you have a Repatriation Health Card – For Specific Conditions (White Card) you may be eligible for home modifications relating to an accepted disability. To access this service your doctor will refer you to an occupational therapist to ascertain if you require home modifications or adaptive appliances. The occupational therapist will assess your clinical needs and provide you with information on what alternatives may be available. The occupational therapist will then make recommendations to DVA and you will be advised if the recommended modifications meet DVA’s guidelines and whether they will pay for the modifications. The condition of your home is also considered, as it must be structurally sound and identified as suitable living accommodation. A licensed builder can advise you of any structural issues you may have with your home. Your prognosis is also taken into account as home modifications can take considerable time to arrange and install and may cause disruption.

Alternative options are also explored and DVA will not pay for modifications to your home if there is no clinical need or if you were aware, at the time of moving into accommodation of a condition that could make access to your home difficult in the future. They will also not pay if you are in the process of, or have had, a compensation or insurance settlement in relation to the condition requiring the modification or if you are a resident of a residential aged care facility, state-owned housing, independent living unit or retirement village. DVA will not pay for non essential items, such as additional toilets, spa baths and for home renovations or installation of basic utilities, such as water, sewerage, lighting and heating and are provided for one residence only. If DVA has paid for modifications to your existing home and you choose to move to a less suitable home, you and/or the owner of the new home will have to pay for any future modifications.

You do not have to own your own home for DVA to pay for the modifications, but the owner of the home must confirm that you will be a resident on a long-term basis and must also agree in writing to the modifications and that DVA will not restore the property to its former state once the modifications are no longer required. You can also contact the Veterans’ Home Maintenance Line on 1800 80 1945 for advice on general home maintenance matters and referral to reliable and efficient tradespeople in your area.

Look out for your mates this festive season

2010-12-11T07:44:00.000+10:30

LOOK OUT FOR YOUR MATES THIS FESTIVE SEASON

With Christmas almost upon us, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Warren Snowdon today wished veterans and their families a safe and happy Christmas and New Year period.

“I hope that our veterans, serving men and women, ex-service communities and their families enjoy the holiday season and have a well-deserved break,” Mr Snowdon said.

“The festive season is also a time to think of those less fortunate and those who may not be surrounded by family or friends. Christmas can be a lonely time for some in our community, in particular our older veterans.

“Please take the time to visit elderly relatives, drop around to your neighbour’s house, give them a call and make sure that all is well.”

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ (DVA) offices will close at 5pm on 24 December 2010 and will re-open at 9am Tuesday 4 January 2011. DVA offices will also be closed for Australia Day on Wednesday 26 January 2011.

During this time, a range of important DVA services will remain open to the veteran community including:

Transport—it is recommended transport is booked before the Christmas and New Year period. If it is not booked, transport will need to be paid up-front with reimbursement sought from DVA later.
Hospital admissions—doctors can admit DVA patients into hospital and request admissions approval, if required, when DVA re-opens on Tuesday 4 January 2011.
Crisis counselling—VVCS—Veterans and Veterans’ Families Counselling Service offers 24-hour crisis counselling through Veterans’ Line. This service is available toll free on
1800 011 046 to veterans of all conflicts and their families—including members of peace operations.
Insurance—help with Defence Services Homes Insurance policy and claim enquiries is available 24 hours a day from Defence Services Homes on 1300 552 662, or visit www.dsh.gov.au
Pension pay days will not be affected by the Christmas and New Year arrangements.

Gold Coast Army Museum

2010-12-10T08:20:00.001+10:30

G'Day All,I'm on a mission again.I'm looking for a Swan Larger and an Emu Export beer can ( steel cans) from the Vietnam era to round off the collection of beers drank by Aussies in Vietnam.Shane Spencer,B coy 4 RAR/NZ organized the American beer cans for the display which are now in their cases.Seems we drank the stuff.(Was told it was like having sex in a canoe,close to fu*king water).

I have been adding a few photos with the can displays & came across a photo of Mick O'Sullivan our Delta company 4 RAR/NZ medic who was awarded a very well earned Military Medal ,drinking Emu Export and would be honoured if I was able to do a case with a can and his photo.

All is going well with the other displays with in the museum.Thank you for everyone who helped out with the maps of Nui Dat.I have what I need to go ahead and light up the diorama.Thank you one and all.

Have a great xmas and a very safe and enjoyable New Year. Regards Bob.

Looking for Vietnam Vet Phillip Cullen Hart

2010-12-10T08:13:00.001+10:30

From: pam

All,
Does anyone know the whereabouts of Phillip Cullen Hart last known in Woongarrah NSW, he has someone looking for him, if so can he please contact me on (02)4441-5011 or 0400135710 and I will give him the details. Ken can you please sent around other States.
Best Regards
Pam

Name:Phillip Cullen Hart
Service No: 214751
Service: Army
Date Of Birth: 06/03/1939
Rank: Sapper
Place Of Birth: Sydney NSW AUSTRALIA
Corps: Royal Australian Engineers
National Service:
Summary of Unit Name(s)
1st Field Squadron
Start Date 25/05/1966 End Date 16/06/1967

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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sympathy and condolences

2010-11-25T23:28:00.001+10:30

You can send your sympathy and condolences to those who have lost loved ones and friends in the mine disaster (New Zealand) via the Mayor of Greymouth.

The Mayor is going to display all messages around the district of Greymouth.

The E-mail address is mayor@greydc.govt.nz

Incident at Vung Tau

2010-11-25T19:03:00.000+10:30

My name is Terry Smith and I served in Vietnam from approximately early November 1971 to end of February 1972 in Vung Tau. There was an incident that occurred in either January or February regarding shots fired whilst on picquet duty on perimeter at Vung Tau. If you recall any details of this incident or know of any one who witnessed this could you please contact me on 0260264533 or techmec@bigpond.com. I am requiring witnesses for an AAt Veterans Appeal.

I am also looking for piquet duty rosters for Jan and Feb 1072. These seem very hard to locate as detailed records were apparently not kept then as the base was closing. Thought you may be able to help.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Terry Smith.

ALL IS SECURE

2010-11-22T13:29:00.000+10:30

Christmas Parcels for the Troops

2010-11-12T09:22:00.002+10:30

For those of you who are sending Christmas parcels, and there is quite a few of you, please ensure that you use only the addresses listed below and have your parcel etcetera posted prior to the 15th December.

AFPO 13 is not to be used as previously advised. This is the AFPO that is dedicated for the families of the deployed personnel. Sending generically addressed mail through this AFPO (to An Australian Soldier / Sailor / Airman / Airwoman / EDD) will unfortunately slow up the mail that is destined for the troops coming from their families. The only addresses you are to use are those list below.

An Australian Soldier / Sailor / Airman / Airwoman
Christmas Mail
Middle East Operations
AFPO 60
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890

An Australian Soldier / Sailor / Airman / Airwoman
Christmas Mail
East Timor Operations
AFPO 61
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890

An Australian Soldier / Sailor / Airman / Airwoman
Christmas Mail
Solomon Islands Operations
AFPO 62
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890

The Late Peter Naughton

2010-11-12T09:19:00.001+10:30

Australian Logistics Support Company 27/05/1965 - 06/05/1966,
Ships Army Staff (HMAS Sydney) 27/03/1968 - 12/04/1968

Those of you who served with or had the pleasure of knowing Peter may wish to attend this service.

I have finally been able to arrange Peter's internment and would be happy if there is some way to let others know when and where. Can you help me?
The internment will be held at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery, Cemetery Rd Kangaroo Ground VIC, one hour’s drive North of Melbourne, on Friday, 3rd of December at 11 am.
Any members of the forces who knew my husband would be most welcome to farewell him on this day.

Regards Maura Naughton

Memorial Service for Ed Simpson

2010-11-04T10:52:00.000+10:30

Hello Allan,
Lorraine Carrigan rang me to let everyone know that a memorial service is to be held for Eddie Simpson ex RAAOC at St John V Catholic church, Crn Ernest and Kooalgin Street Manly QLD on 18th November at 11am. I will be away in Geelong at this time so would appreciate it if these details could be passed on to members. I would also like to pass on advice on the passing of the following RAAOC members, COL Norman Swan ex 2 BOD 1970's and Ray Webster ex PJI and Para Rigger. Sick List includes Noel Carrigan who continues to improve following surgery, Peter Barrow, and Paul Darby who both have ongoing health issues. Hope all have a great Christmas Function and sorry that Faye and I will be absent. Best wishes to all for a Happy and safe Festive Season. Regards Bill Jeffers

LOOKING FOR KOREAN, MALAYAN OR VIETNAM VETERANS FROM THIRROUL

2010-11-04T08:05:00.001+10:30

Thirroul R S L Sub Branch Committee is currently compiling an Honour Roll for placement at Thirroul Memorial Park.

We are searching for the names of those who served in the Korean, Malayan or Vietnam wars (either enlisted or conscripted - Navy, Army, RAAF, civillian) and were actually residing in Thirroul at the time of enlistment or conscription.

If you are one of these residents or have any information or contact details of Veterans who served in these wars we would be very pleased to hear from you.

Please contact John Bond

Phone: 0417.298.545 or send an email to: johnbond2@bigpond.com

Mick Marazes Funeral arrangements

2010-11-01T10:01:00.004+10:30

Micks funeral will be held at Leppington at 10am Thursday the 4th November 2010. A wake will be held at Camden Valley Golf Resort
810 Camden Valley Way, Catherine Field, Australia, 2171 after the service.

http://ofpvietnam.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=141&Itemid=1

If anyone would like to send a message of condolence to Micks wife Joan they can do so by sending an e-mail to Bill MacDougall at lmacdougall8@bigpond.com.

If anyone has a contact number for Peter Bray could you let either me or Bill know please.

Rick

Christmas Care Package's

2010-10-30T05:42:00.000+10:30

A Christmas Care Package Aussie Soldiers Overseas plan is being developed by the National Welfare Coordination Centre. They can be contacted on telephone 1800 801 026.

They will release details for a specific Armed Forces Post Office (AFPO) address for such parcels to be sent to in order to reach the soldiers.
Once this address has been released (I phoned the NWCC today and they have not yet released the AFPO address) then we will have until 15 Dec to submit our parcels to that address.

In the meantime, if a family has a specific person they wish to send a small parcel to, then the individual address details are, for Operation ASTUTE in Timor Leste:

PMKeys Number, Rank, Name
AFPO 05
Australian Defence Forces
NSW 2890

and for Operation SLIPPER at Tarin Kowt Afghanistan:

PMKeys Number, Rank, Name
AFPO 13
Australian Defence Forces
NSW 2890

I hope this is of some assistance.

Best regards,

Stuart Smith
Brigadier
Commander 3 Brigade
(currently deploy on Exercise HAMEL)

Ex-Servicemen and Womens campsite in WA

2010-10-21T23:04:00.001+10:30

Hi Folks, This may not interest everybody.The Veteran Community in WA ,largely through the tireless efforts of Norm Whitburn ( ex POFC) have obtained a abandoned cattle station in the Northwest from the State Government and Department of Environmental Protection...

This is to be set up as a Veterans Retreat with facilities for camping etc...The only one real drawback for some people will be its isolation...It is approx. 80 klms off the Port Hedland-Marble bar road on the Woody Woody Mine road which I think is Rio Tinto owned....

Norm has canvassed the big miners out there as well as the Marble Bar shire, interested Government departments and he has been impressed by the support offered...

The station is the old Meentheena Cattle Run of some 700.000 Acres which has been disused for some time , it has the Nullagine river passing through it and fairly good roads to and from the proposed camp area...We have been out that way and it is probably a good 3 hour drive from Port Hedland...

As of early next year the setting up of the camp will begin in earnest and any body who is passing that way is more than welcome to drop in and crack a tinny with fellow ex servicemen and women..

Norms Email is nwhitburn@bigpond.com and he can fill you in on the details if you are interested....

Could you please pass this on to any other interested parties...There may be a need for volunteer workers in the initial stages so I told Norm I would pass on the information.....He has done a great job and it would be a pityif he was not supported ..I believe that Norms wife is going to be setting up a web page so all will be kept up to date as it develops...

Kindest regards to all Shang and Marlene.....

ThunderStruck-The Unit - video

2010-04-07T11:50:00.005+09:30

ThunderStruck-TheUnit-Video
Hi All, finally I am able to report that the Unit video is now complete and FULLY ENHANCED - FINAL PROOF. Sorry it took so long to get it finished.. Hoping that it is enjoyable to watch and with respect to our families as a tribute of our memories.
Our Website has also had a good touchup with many new links of information// really worth the sharing with everyone in our network.
click on the link below

Speakers On, enjoy and let it rip.. feel free to comment..

http://www.2aod.asn.au/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=65

Fed: GG approves Long Tan medals

2010-04-02T20:38:00.000+10:30

LONG CANBERRA, March 31 AAP - Governor-General Quentin Bryce has approved additional awards for those who fought in the battle of Long Tan in Vietnam more than 40 years ago.
Those who fought in the battle - the soldiers of Delta Company of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) - will receive a unit citation for gallantry.
RAAF helicopter pilot Flight Lieutenant Cliff Dohle, of Lilydale, Victoria, who died in February last year, will also be awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, an upgrade to the "mentioned in despatches" previously awarded.
The decision follows an inquiry in 2009 by the Defence Honours and Awards Appeal Tribunal into unresolved issues relating to medals awarded to those who fought at Long Tan, the most significant single action of Australian involvement in the Vietnam conflict.
On August 18, 1966, 100 soldiers of D Company fought off an overwhelming enemy force. Eighteen of them died.
However, there were persistent complaints that participants were not adequately recognised under the then imperial honours system.
The tribunal said many men behaved gallantly that day but not all had been formally recognised with an individual award.
It concluded that it would be appropriate to recognise the extraordinary bravery in action with the Unit Citation for Gallantry.
In the case of Flight Lieutenant Dohle, who piloted an Iroquois helicopter to resupply the besieged soldiers with ammunition at the height of the battle, the tribunal noted he was initially recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross but that was not accepted in Australia.
It concluded he should be posthumously awarded the contemporary award of the Distinguished Service Medal.

2008-11-12T15:08:00.004+10:30

2 AOD Notice Board

Hi All..
It would be remiss of me not to post the first entry to our new "Notice Board", which I believe is quite a touch more user friendly and will allow very good communication and information links for us all..
Since our new website was launched on the 26th of March 2008 it has been very much evident, the existence of a very strong kamaraderie bond among our own unit veteran community..

Mates have re-surfaced from all the corners of Australia and in a couple of cases, off our local shores and around the world..

Information has been shared, mateships re-kindled and new ones formed..
The Spirit of a Band of Brothers...

I would also like to take this opportunity in giving thanks to so many who have contributed.. Every tiny thing has been a god send in this time of brain-straining.. let alone the wonderful open line of support with Steve Sanderson.. Very very much appreciated..

Thank you to all..
Heinzie

Enjoy this new tool of technology for saying gidday to some of your mates.. Life is getting easier.. Post in a photo.. add a video.. or just a quick note to say good-day..
There are many of us out there.. and some of us very alone.. Share what you are doing.. Tell us how the health is going or what help you, or someone else might need..
Here is the opportunity to send someone a cheer of rainbow and a touch of laughter..

There is a lot of support available to the Veteran Community and their families..
This is a great place to pop in a note.. sharing relevant info among us all..

and of course
Just another great way to enjoy a bit of time to shoot the breeze..

Spirits up all &

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE..