Vol. 30 No. 3 Spring 2014 ISSN 0819-8934

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NEW PENSION RATES VVCS JOINS TECH SPACE CHANGES TO SERVICE CLASSIFICATION

PMAC meets to discuss veteran mental healthThe Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Veter-ans’ Mental Health (PMAC) met for the first time on 24 and 25 July 2014. Announced on 13 March 2014 by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, PMAC is chaired by Vice Admiral Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN (Ret’d), who is supported by Deputy Chair, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG, and eight members.

Tackling the mental health challenges faced by veter-ans and their families is a key pillar of the Government’s plan for veterans’ affairs. While mental illness will impact almost half the Australian population over their lifetime, there are particular risks for former serving men and women who may have been put in harm’s way in the course of their service.

“The new PMAC has the Prime Minister’s unequivo-cal support in ensuring the Government can provide the very best support to veterans and their families facing the challenges of service-related mental illness,” Senator Ronaldson said earlier this year.

The Prime Minister and Senator Ronaldson both met with the Council on the first day of its meeting.

“It is very encouraging to see that the Council has the full support of the Prime Minister, the Minister and the Secretary in undertaking this important role,” Vice Admiral Crane said.

The inaugural meeting provided PMAC with an over-view of issues relating to veterans’ mental health and included briefings on mental and social health, DVA’s service delivery processes and legislation, treatment and management of mental health conditions, and mental health resources for veterans and their families.

On the second day of the meeting, the Council spent time developing a strategic framework for future work.

“The key areas of activity we discussed included peer support, family support, vocational rehabilitation, engagement with corporate Australia, partnerships with not-for-profit organisations, a strategic communica-tion plan, and strategic partnership between DVA and Defence,” Vice Admiral Crane said.

PMAC identified the following three areas of priority:• A national communication strategy to promote a

positive view of service and its contribution, and to

PMAC meeting in July 2014. Back row (L-R): Ryan Stokes; Geoffrey Evans; Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG; Air Commodore Tracy Smart AM; and Michael von Berg MC. Front row (L-R): Veronica Hancock, Assistant Secretary DVA; Judy Daniel, First Assistant Secretary DVA; Vice Admiral Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN (Ret’d); Major General Mark Kelly AO, DSC; and Mel Pyrah.

increase awareness of the available mental health services and the benefits of early intervention. The strategy would target a wide range of audiences including serving and former serving members, fam-ilies, the community and industry. It would be aimed at reducing the stigma associated with mental illness and would aim to break down barriers to seeking assistance.

Peer support, which allows individuals to be suitably matched with peers to receive practical support in managing their mental health and wellbeing, leading to improved quality of life. The Council is interested in auspicing a peer support forum to bring together

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relevant stakeholders to share information on eer support programmes and canvass ideas about xpanding peer support in the veteran and ex-serv-ng community.

ocational rehabilitation and transition man-gement. The Council will look at ways in which ndustry can be engaged to provide greater employ-

ent opportunities for former members undertaking ocational rehabilitation. The Council will also xamine how the transition process from Defence to VA can be improved.

he Council meets again on 25 November 2014. To learn

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more, visit the Council’s website www.pmac.dva.gov.au

New initiative links injured vets to employmentThe Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, recently launched a new initiative that will help wounded, injured or ill veterans achieve their employment goals.

Senator Ronaldson said the Veterans Employment Assistance Initiative will broaden the employment assistance and support for former members and employ-ers currently provided under DVA’s rehabilitation program.

“The importance of providing rehabilitation services and support to veterans who have been wounded, injured or are ill as a result of their service should never be underestimated.

“This initiative will help veterans to improve their wellbeing, reclaim independ-ence, utilise their skills and capabilities, and secure meaningful employment,” he said.

Under the initiative, veterans with an identified goal of returning to work will undergo early assessment of their vocational rehabilitation needs. This will include aligning the skills they have developed in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to potential civilian employment opportunities. Participants may also undertake employment focused training in line with their abilities and aspirations.

On a recent visit to Brisbane, Senator Ronaldson met with Terry Thompson, a veteran who was injured during his service in the Australian Army. Terry was discharged in 2012 and participated in a DVA rehabilitation program as part of his recovery.

Terry worked closely with his rehabilitation provider and undertook a 12-week work trial with Downer EDI Works. Terry excelled in his placement and was subsequently offered permanent employment with the organisation.

The Minister also presented Downer EDI Works with a certificate of appreciation, recognising their role in Terry’s rehabilitation.

“Former ADF members have an extensive range of skills and experiences that would be valuable to any organisation and it is encouraging to see employers, such as Downer EDI Works recognising this,” he said.

This new initiative broadens the assistance and support available to former ADF members offered through DVA, including a range of vocational and non-vocational rehabilitation programs that help veterans adapt to, or recover from, their injuries.

The initiative is being undertaken as a trial in Queensland involving up to 50 participants and will help inform a national approach. For more information on rehabilitation visit www.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation

Interested in also receiving the DVA e-News fortnightly newsletter? Email enews@dva.gov.au to be added to the list.

2 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

LETTERSTO THE

EDITOR

Vetaffairs is published by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs as a free newspaper for Australia’s veteran community.Editor Carolyn Ryanemail vetaffairs@dva.gov.au | fax (02) 6289 6025mail GPO Box 9998 Canberra, ACT 2601

Follow DVA on Facebook DVA Aus and Twitter @DVAAus.Browse DVA on YouTube DVAAus’ Channel and Flickr to see DVAAus’ photostream. Follow the links on the DVA website: www.dva.gov.au

To recieve Vetaffairs electronically, visit the DVA website www.dva.gov.au and click on the Vetaffairs link on the home page. If you want to continue receiving Vetaffairs in the post, you do not need to contact DVA.

Vetaffairs is printed by Independent Print Media Group on PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) accredited paper.

Dying with dignityThe article “Suicide and the elderly” published in the Winter issue of Vetaffairs didn’t surprise me. What I found unbelievable is the lack of understanding into why these people do it. I am in my eighties, I belong to the Dying with Dignity organisation (DWD) and I am a great believer in euthanasia. When I can’t look after myself anymore, I certainly won’t be a burden either to my family or the welfare system. My life is mine and nobody is going to tell me what I can or can’t do. To keep old people alive with tablets and potions is cruel. We are kinder to our animals and put them to sleep when they have had their day. It is time to wake up to the reality of old age and legalise euthanasia. Then we won’t talk of suicide, but say, that person died with dignity.Dagmara Fox Forest Hill, Vic

HMS Formidable In the Vetaffairs Winter edition, there was a letter to the editor regarding crew members of the HMS Formidable. This letter awakened happy memories of my own journey on this Cruiser in September 1945 from Manila to Sydney, with several thousand other ex-POWs recovered from Japan and other areas of Asia. We had waited five weeks in Manila for transport home, as there were thousands waiting repatriation.My most vivid recollections are of the generosity and kind treat-ment shown to us by all the crew. Nothing was too much trouble for them. We slept on camp stretch-ers on the hanger deck, but had the full use of the canteen. We arrived in Sydney on 13 October, almost two months after the war ended.Maybe through your newspaper I can express my thanks to all of the Formidable crew. Our arrival in Sydney harbour was accom-panied by huge crowds and the media coverage was extensive. I still have press cuttings with pho-tos taken from the air and from the docks. We were taken by bus through crowded streets to Ingle-burn Camp for processing.I arrived home in Perth on 21 October 1945. It was my mother’s 45th birthday – what a great pre-sent four years after my departure. Included in those four years was a 15-month period where I was classified as “Missing Believed Prisoner of War”.Neil MacPherson ex 2nd AIF WX16572 Address withheld

AnzacsReading your article on the Anzac Centenary, I wondered why no mention is made of New Zealand. My husband is a New Zealand veteran of the Second World War and he tells me that during the First World War, New Zea-land lost more men (in respect to the population) than Australia, yet they are rarely mentioned in Australia.Nell Anderson-Smith Buderim, Qld

Expanded paper – good newsThe latest issue of Vetaffairs was most welcome, especially in its expanded version. The articles, although not all being of rele-vance to me, are most interesting.

Keep up the good work; I shall look forward to receiving future issues.Peter McNay Address withheld

Noticeboard successWe were in touch back in Novem-ber about the Addison Road Talking History project.Many thanks for accepting our notice and placing it in Vetaffairs. It was effective. In fact, we were overwhelmed by the response. We had so many people get in touch we had to call on a volun-teer to help. It has been terrific to talk to them and hear their mem-ories about the army depot. So, many thanks for your help. It has been invaluable. Sue Castrique Address withheld

DVA’s central mailboxA large number of letters are being sent to DVA’s street addresses. DVA has a central mail box that should be used for all incoming mail. All mail that is sent to DVA’s major office locations should be addressed to GPO Box 9998 IN YOUR CAPITAL CITY. “In your capital city” means that you need to insert the location, based on which city you would like the mail item delivered. Separate post office box addresses for individual VAN and VVCS offices, the OAWG, RMA, VRB, DSHI and DSHL remain unchanged.

GPO Box 9998 ADELAIDE SA 5001

GPO Box 9998 BRISBANE QLD 4001

GPO BOX 9998 CANBERRA ACT 2601

GPO Box 9998 DARWIN NT 0801

GPO Box 9998 HOBART TAS 7001

GPO Box 9998 MELBOURNE VIC 3001

GPO Box 9998 PERTH WA 6848

GPO Box 9998 SYDNEY NSW 2001

A change for the Summer issue of VetaffairsThree issues of the Vetaffairs newspaper will continue to be printed and distributed each year, while one issue, the Summer issue, will be produced electronically only.

Many of DVA’s clients already communicate with the Department electronically through channels such as MyAccount, which currently has more than 30,000 registered users, as well as the DVA website which receives more than one million page views each month. With this in mind, it is hoped that you will enjoy the opportunity to read one issue of Vetaffairs online each year, from any location that your Summer takes you. You will simply visit www.dva.gov.au and follow the Vetaffairs link on the home page.

If you think you would like a reminder, you can email Vetaffairs vetaffairs@dva.gov.au and request to be added to an email list that will be kept specifically for alerting you that the Summer issue has been published and is available for viewing. This list will be kept for this one purpose only, and you will continue to receive the Autumn, Winter and Spring hardcopy newspapers in your letter box.

Remember that DVA is still publishing four issues of Vetaffairs each year, in Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer, and all four issues will also continue to be available on the DVA website.

Do you have a complaint, compliment or suggestion for DVA? Email feedback@dva.gov.au Phone 1300 555 785

Do you have a general enquiry for DVA? Email generalenquiries@dva.gov.au Phone 133 254 or from regional Australia freecall 1800 555 254

News from the Department

Simon Lewis, PSMSecretary Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Throughout recent months, we have been looking closely at our Rehabil-itation and Compensation (R&C) business in relation to client service. Improving service to our clients is a significant priority for me as Secre-tary of DVA, as well as for the Minister and the veteran community. We all want to see things done better and smoother.

The recently released DVA strategic plan, DVA Towards 2020, empha-sises the importance of DVA continuing to be responsive and flexible, efficiently delivering high quality and connected services and making the best use of the many channels available to interact with our clients. These are not just words – they are clear statements about where we are heading and what we want to deliver. We are making solid progress.

In late 2013 I asked the Deputy Commissioners and senior managers within Rehabilitation and Support Division to consider how we could best deliver R&C services in the current environment. In providing this proposal to me, they have taken into account the need for any changes to build on our strengths; be affordable and sustainable; and be responsive to changes in the environment in which we are working. A consultation period was then undertaken. The aim was to identify if the proposed R&C Operating Model is the most effective and efficient method by which to deliver services, or if other options should be considered. We talked to a range of people with an interest in the R&C business (staff, ex-service organisations and other stakeholders), and I was very pleased with the robust and productive discussions that followed. There were varying opinions and a range of important points raised.

I look forward to talking more about this process in the coming months, and meanwhile I would like to assure you that any changes to the R&C Operating Model will only be made if clients will benefit through improved service.

Earlier this year I advised you that consultation was being undertaken regarding the provision of in-person services in several areas in New South Wales and Victoria. This consultation provided important feed-back about the most effective and sustainable way to provide services to veterans, war widows and widowers, and their families living in and around the targeted areas.

The feedback received during this process showed that while face-to-face contact remains valued, it does not necessarily have to be provided through a stand-alone DVA office. It was also clear that more clients are choosing to use the telephone or internet to contact DVA, and visits to Veterans’ Access Network (VAN) offices have declined by 28 per cent since 2009.

As previously mentioned, as lease agreements approach their expiry date, the Department will be examining our framework of service deliv-ery to ensure DVA continues to be a responsive and flexible organisation which efficiently delivers high quality, connected services to clients.

In late August, we commenced a four week consultation period to seek stakeholder views on the VAN services in the Parramatta area. We received feedback from staff, clients and other key stakeholders, includ-ing ex-service organisations. We are looking at whether the maintenance of a stand-alone VAN office is the most efficient method by which to deliver services, or if other alternatives that meet the changing needs of the veteran community should be considered.

We are also looking into the Veterans and Veterans Families Counsel-ling Service (VVCS). The Government is committed to VVCS services continuing to be available to VVCS clients in the Sydney region, includ-ing in Parramatta, through a network of centre-based and outreach counsellors. However, as the VVCS lease in Parramatta is due to expire in early 2015, the consultation process assessed views in relation to a number of potential options for VVCS services in the Sydney region. Client demographics identify that VVCS clients are distributed across the entire Sydney region. We want to ensure that clients can access VVCS services in locations convenient and accessible to them.

The Government is committed to a stand-alone Department of Veter-ans’ Affairs and maintaining a viable presence in each State and capital city, so that we can continue to offer sustainable and effective services to veterans and their families for the long-term. I would like to reassure you that any reviews we are undertaking now (or any we undertake in the future), will be carried out with service delivery front and centre of our work.

Simon Lewis

3 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

News from the Minister

Senator the Hon. Michael RonaldsonMinister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC and the Special Minister of State

Upcoming commemorative missionsThe Department of Veterans’ Affairs is planning two commemorative missions of eight veterans each, to travel overseas in 2015. Staff from DVA will travel with both mission parties. The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, invites Australian veterans to apply.

Mission to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the declaration of Victory in EuropeDVA is planning a commemorative mission party of eight veterans to travel to London and Paris in May 2015 to mark the 70th Anniversary of the declaration of Victory in Europe.

Australian veterans of the Second World War who were serving in the European theatre in 1945 (including prisoners of war), are invited to apply for inclusion in the mission party.

The mission itinerary is still being developed. However, the delegation is likely to be away for approxi-mately 10 days from 2 May 2015. Nominations will close at 5pm AEDT on 24 October 2014.

Details about the mission and how to nominate can be found on the DVA website www.dva.gov.au or by contacting Ms Estelle Muspratt in the Department’s Commemorations Branch on (02) 6289 6396 or email france@dva.gov.au

Mission to Borneo to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Operation Oboe landingsDVA is planning a commemorative mission party of eight veterans to travel to Borneo in June 2015 to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Second World War Operation Oboe landings that liberated Borneo from Japanese occupation.

Australian veterans who served in, or directly supported, the landings in 1945, in either the Royal Aus-tralian Navy, the Australian Army or the Royal Australian Air Force, are eligible to apply. The landings were:• Oboe One at Tarakan (1 May – 21 June 1945);• Oboe Six at Labuan, Brunei Bay and British North Borneo (10 June – 15 August 1945); and• Oboe Two at Balikpapan (1 – 21 July 1945).

The mission itinerary is still being developed. However, the delegation is likely to be away for approximately eight or nine days in early-to-mid June 2015. Nominations will close at 5pm AEDT on 15 December 2014. Details about the mission and how to nominate can be obtained from Mr Stuart Watson in the Department’s Commemorations Branch on (02) 6289 1109.

Men of the 2/14th Battalion come ashore at Yellow Beach, Balikpapan, from an American LCI (Landing Craft, Infantry) on 1 July 1945. (AWM 110436)

Cutting red tape for claimsCurrent serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), including Reservists who hold a purple ADF ID card, will benefit from a new DVA and Defence move to reduce red tape in the claims application process.

From 1 September, ADF members can use their purple ADF ID Card to prove their identity for the purposes of making a DVA claim at any On Base Advisory Service (OBAS), DVA Veterans’ Access Network (VAN) Office or one of DVA’s co-located Centrelink Veterans’ Information Service (VIS) offices.

Streamlining the current 100 point identity veri-fication process means that, when dealing with

DVA for the first time, a current serving member will no longer have to provide documents which may not readily be at hand, such as a birth certifi-cate or passport. This will speed up the process for accessing any entitlements from DVA.

While this streamlined arrangement has com-menced, there may be exceptional circumstances where further information from a new client is required to establish proof of identity.

This is one of many actions DVA is taking to reduce the time taken to process claims.

More information on new proof of identity arrangements is available on the DVA website at www.dva.gov.au

The Anzac Centenary period commenced on 4 August 2014, com-memorating the declaration of the First World War 100 years ago. The 1914-18 ‘Great War’, was to become the largest and most costly conflict the world had known, involving 70 million men worldwide.

Almost half of Australia’s eligible male population enlisted – 417,000. More than 330,000 embarked for service overseas and almost two-thirds became casualties.

For Australia, the effects of the war were profound and enduring. Yet, the nation took pride in the fact that Australians had played a pivotal role in the allied victory, that liberated the invaded nations of France and Belgium.

We are at the beginning of our nation’s four-year commemoration of these cataclysmic events that shaped our sense of what it means to be Australian.

It will be a defining period in our nation’s history, as many younger Australians better understand our nation’s contribution and reflect on the values we fought to defend.

Rabaul in Papua New Guinea saw the first Australian action and casualties of the First World War. A commemorative service took place on 11 September to remember those Australians who lost their lives at Bita Paka in Rabaul, 100 years ago. It remembered those Aus-tralian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) personnel whose sole purpose was to destroy German wireless stations operat-ing in the Caroline Islands at Nauru and New Britain. I attended the very moving commemorative service at Bita Paka where a total of 455 Australians are buried.

Planning is well underway for the Albany Convoy Commemora-tive Event (ACCE) in Western Australia, the first major domestic Anzac Centenary activity. The ACCE, commencing on Friday 31 October 2014, will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the departure of the first convoy of ships carrying the Australian Impe-rial Force (AIF) and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) to the First World War. Troops who were later to become collectively known as the ‘ANZACS’.

Albany was their last Australian port before arriving in Egypt to commence their training, and for the majority, ultimately taking part in landings at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. Sadly, for many, it was the last time they saw Australia.

I will be in Albany during the commemorative events that will involve the Royal Australian Navy, New Zealand Navy and Japanese Navy that will participate in a representation of the first convoy that left Albany. The weekend will include a march along York Street to represent the footsteps of those troops 100 years ago, a Ceremonial Sunset, a commemorative service to honour those who went to war, the opening of the National Anzac Centre and a Ship Open Day.

On page 5 of this issue of Vetaffairs, you will find information about the Anzac Centenary and Century of Service commemoratives and initiatives. It is important that all Australians receive informa-tion about these important commemorative events that start in Bita Paka in Rabaul, then Albany in Western Australia and onto Gal-lipoli and The Western Front. The Department has been working closely with the ABC to ensure live national broadcasts of these commemorations.

As Australia enters the Anzac Centenary period, I encourage you to remember not only the original Anzacs who left Albany and Fremantle and served at Gallipoli and the Western Front, but com-memorate more than a Century of Service by Australian servicemen and women.

We owe it to those who gave their lives, the families who cared for and mourned them, to remember the extraordinary service and sacrifice made in our name, during the First World War and through the century since. An understanding of this service and sacrifice will live on in future generations of Australians. 100 years on, we will remember them.

As important as these commemorative events are, I am also very focussed on the needs of our contemporary veterans and I would like to draw your attention to articles on the front page of this issue of Vetaffairs, where you can read about the recently launched Veterans Employment Assistance Initiative and the work of the Prime Minis-terial Advisory Council on Veterans’ Mental Health.

4 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

The importance of Qualifying ServiceDid you know that having your Qualifying Service determined and accepted by DVA can provide you with a range of benefits, including the exclusion of DVA Disability Pension income from the calculation of aged care fees?What is Qualifying Service?Qualifying Service is one of the criteria used to determine if you are eligible for a service pension, but it also carries with it other benefits.

As a member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), you may have Qualifying Service if you:• rendered service during the First World War

or Second World War and incurred danger from hostile forces (this criterion also applies to Australian mariners);

• served in an operational area after the Second World War and were allotted for duty, or were a member of a unit that was allotted for duty in that operational area;

• have warlike service; • served on certain submarine special operations

between 1978 and 1992 and were awarded, or were eligible to be awarded, the Australian Service Medal with the Special Operations Clasp; or

• have been awarded, or were eligible to be awarded, a medal/clasp listed in the “Bomb Clearance or Minesweeping Clasp”.

Commonwealth or allied veterans may have Qualifying Service if they served prior to 12 January 1973 and incurred danger from a hostile force. If a Commonwealth veteran was awarded – or was eligible to be awarded – a campaign medal, they may also have Qualifying Service.What are the benefits related to having your Qualifying Service determined? A claim for Qualifying Service determination can be made at any time, and by doing so, you will have completed the first step towards claiming (or automatically receiving, if you meet other relevant criteria) the following benefits:• Service Pension; • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC);• the Veterans’ Pharmaceutical Reimbursement

Scheme which reimburses eligible veterans for out-of-pocket costs associated with the concessional pharmaceutical copayment;

• automatic issue of a DVA Gold card at age 70; and• exemption of your DVA Disability Pension income

from the calculation of aged care fees.

How do I find out more?If you are unsure whether you have had your Qualifying Service determined, contact DVA on 133 254 or from regional Australia free call 1800 555 254. However, if you are currently receiving a DVA Service Pension or CSHC, then you can rest assured that you have had your Qualifying Service determined and accepted by DVA.

Further information is available on the DVA website www.dva.gov.au from: • a range of DVA Factsheets, including IS56 –

Qualifying Service Overview; and• the Entitlement Self Assessment tool which can

help you assess your potential DVA entitlements, including Qualifying Service.

How do I make a Qualifying Service claim?You must complete the DVA Qualifying Service Claim form. This is available on the DVA website or it can be sent to you by phoning DVA and requesting a copy.

The completed form can be lodged at your local VAN office or posted to:

Department of Veterans’ AffairsGPO Box 9998IN YOUR CAPITAL CITY

Alternatively, you can complete and lodge your claim securely online through your DVA MyAccount or the Online Claims Facility which can be accessed from the DVA website.

Changes to the assessment of superannuation account-based income streams for income support payment recipientsFrom 1 January 2015, superannuation account-based income streams (also known as allocated income streams and account-based pensions) will be assessed for pension purposes in the same way as other finan-cial investments.

Deeming rules are used to calculate income for pension, benefit and allowance payments. They assume financial assets are earning a certain amount of income, regardless of the income actually earned.

Under the new rules, the account balance of super-annuation account-based income streams will be added to the combined value of a person’s other financial assets. Deemed income is then calculated on the combined amount and used in determining a person’s income support entitlement.

The current deeming rates are two per cent for financial investments up to $48,000 for single pen-sioners and $79,600 for a pensioner couple, and 3.5 per cent for balances above these amounts. Deeming rates reflect the rates of return people can reasonably expect to earn from their financial assets.

If you are in receipt of an income support payment on 31 December 2014 and hold a superannuation account-based income stream, your superannua-tion account-based income stream will continue to be assessed under the current rules. If you choose to change your existing products to a new product or purchase new products after 1 January 2015, they’ll be assessed under the deeming rules.

If your partner directly holds an account-based income stream and they are not in receipt of an income support payment, the deeming rules will apply to this income stream from 1 January 2015 and therefore may impact your rate of income support.

For more information on deeming changes visit the DVA website or contact DVA on 133 254 or from regional Australia free call 1800 555 254.

Pensions and allowances riseVeterans’ pensions were increased from 20 September 2014 following the latest round of indexation adjustments.

As pension rates are calculated on a daily basis, the pension paid on payday 2 October 2014 will be paid partly at the old rate and partly at the new rate. The first full payment at the new rates of pension will be payday 16 October 2014.

The maximum rate of single service pension has risen by $11.50 to $854.30 per fortnight and the maximum rate for couples has increased by $8.70 to $644.00 per fortnight (each). These rates include pension and clean energy supplement.

The Special Rate of disability pension (T&PI pension) has increased by $18.10 to $1,311.30 per fortnight. Extreme Disa-blement Adjustment (EDA) has increased by $10.10 to $724.20 per fortnight and the 100 per cent General Rate of disability pension has increased by $6.50 to $466.10 per fortnight. These rates include the clean energy supplement.

The pension paid to war widow(er)s has increased by $11.80 to $868.00 per fortnight (including the clean energy supple-ment), while the ceiling rate of the income support supplement, which is paid to some 62,000 war widow(er)s, has risen to $256.00 per fortnight.

Payments have also increased for benefits under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA). The weekly MRCA wholly dependent partner payment has increased by $5.90 to $434.00 paid fortnightly. This rate includes the clean energy supplement.

The next quarterly instalment of seniors supplement will be paid on 2 October 2014.The deeming rates and thresholds remain unchanged. The lower deeming rate is currently two per cent and is applied to

financial assets below $48,000 (single) or $79,600 (couple combined). The higher deeming rate is currently 3.5 per cent and applies to financial assets in excess of those amounts.

More information on the new pension rates is available from DVA on 133 254 or from regional Australia free call 1800 555 254 or visit www.dva.gov.au

SERVICE PENSION Old rate (fortnightly)

New rate (fortnightly)

Increase (fortnightly)

Single person $842.80 $854.30 $11.50

Couples (each) $635.30 $644.00 $8.70

Single person– transitional $713.70 $720.90 $7.20

Couples (each)– transitional $575.60 $581.40 $5.80

WAR WIDOWS

War widow(er)’s pension $856.20 $868.00 $11.80

Income support supplement $252.40 $256.00 $3.60

DISABILITY PENSION

T&PI (Special rate) $1,293.20 $1,311.30 $18.10

Intermediate rate $877.80 $890.10 $12.30

EDA $714.10 $724.20 $10.10

100 per cent $459.60 $466.10 $6.50

10 per cent $52.80 $53.54 $0.74

MRCA Old rate (weekly)

New rate (weekly)

Increase (weekly)

Wholly dependent partner payment

$428.10 $434.00 $5.90

Special Rate Disability Pension (SRDP)

$646.60 $655.65 $9.05

New pension rates from 20 September 2014

These rates include the clean energy supplement and the pension supplement where relevant.

5 — Vetaffairs Spring 20145 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

ANZAC CENTENARY 2014The Landing at Rabaul Following a request from the British government, the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) was formed on 6 August 1914. Its sole purpose was to destroy German wireless stations, operating in the Caroline Islands, Nauru and New Britain, which were communicating with the German East Asian Cruiser squadron operating in Pacific waters.

On 11 September 1914, shore parties landed unopposed at Rabaul and nearby Kabakaul, where a patrol of 25 Australian naval reserv-ists pushed inland to the wireless station at Bita Paka. There they were engaged by a composite force of German reservists and Melanesian police. In this action Australia suffered six dead and five wounded, and took possession of the wireless station. It was the first Australian action of the First World War. Those Australians killed at Bita Paka were the first of more than 60,000 killed in the four-year conflict.

A commemorative service was held on 11 Septem-ber 2014 at Bita Paka to remember those who lost their lives. A total of 455 Australians are buried at the Bita Paka War Cemetery in Rabaul.

Rabaul, New Britain. c. 1916. The Rabaul Garrison Officers’ mess which had earlier been the German Rabaul Club. (AWM H03253)

100 years since the start of the First World WarThe Anzac Centenary period began on 4 August 2014 with commemorations held in capital cities to mark the day Australia became involved in the First World War. Commemorations included a national service at the Aus-tralian War Memorial in Canberra, where Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Cente-nary of ANZAC and Special Minister of State delivered an address and laid a wreath. Other services were held around the country, as well as a call for ringing of bells in churches and schools.

The First World War began when Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914, and Prime Minister Andrew Fisher’s Government pledged full support for Britain. The outbreak of war was greeted in Australia, as in many other places, with great enthusiasm.

Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC and Special Minister of State lays a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on 4 August 2014. (AWM PAIU2014/154.31)

Albany Convoy Commemorative Event – planning well underway

The first convoy of ANZAC ships departed off the coast of Albany, WA.

The Albany Convoy Commemorative Event (ACCE) will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the departure of the first convoy of ships carrying the AIF and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) to the First World War. In October 1914, Albany in Western Australia was the gathering point for ships carrying the AIF and NZEF, which were later to become collectively known as the ‘ANZACs’. Merchant ships carrying troops from New Zealand, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria departed from Albany on

1 November 1914, together with three cruisers – HMA Ships Melbourne and Sydney and the HMS Minotaur. They were joined at sea two days later by two ships carrying troops from South Australia and Western Australia, along with the Japanese cruiser, HIJMS Ibuki. Albany is the last Australian port these troops saw before arriving in Egypt to commence their training, and for the majority, ultimately tak-ing part in landings at Gallipoli from 25 April 1915.The first convoy left for Egypt and Gallipoli on 1 November 1914.

Anzac Centenary Public FundThe Anzac Centenary Public Fund has been established to enable the Australian business community and the public to donate to Anzac Centenary commemorations which will take place between 2014 and 2018 – the Centenary of the First World War.

The Fund will contribute to a range of significant projects associ-ated with the Anzac Centenary and will help leave an enduring and unifying legacy for current and future generations of Australians. All Australians can donate to the Fund. Donations over $2 are tax deductible and can be made until 1 May 2019.

The Government has adopted the recommendations of the Anzac Centenary Public Fund Board to support the following projects:• $300,000 to install a Flame of Remembrance at Hobart’s Ceno-

taph. Hobart is the only state capital currently without a flame of remembrance;

• $1.7 million to support the Albert Borella Ride in the Northern Territory. The Ride commemorates the journey of Albert Borella VC to enlist and serve in the First Australian Imperial Force (AIF);

• $2 million to begin work on the Memorial Garden Walk proj-ect in Adelaide. This funding will be contingent upon matching contributions from the South Australian Government and the City of Adelaide. This is a $9.7 million project of which the Com-monwealth will fund up to $5 million;

• redevelopment of Anzac Square in Brisbane (up to $5.9 million); • redevelopment of the Hyde Park Memorial in Sydney (up to

$19.6 million); and• redevelopment of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne (up

to $22.5 million to be reimbursed to the Victorian Government).For further information about the Fund, its projects and how to

donate, please visit www.anzaccentenary.gov.au/fund/index.htm

Upcoming events – October to DecemberThere are a number of national commemorative events that Austral-ians can be involved in to acknowledge both the Anzac Centenary and a Century of Service for those who have fought and served in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations over the past one hun-dred years. It is important to recognise and remember the supreme sacrifice as well as acknowledge the families and communities who supported them and made so many sacrifices at home.

For upcoming events and significant dates visit DVA’s Anzac Centenary Facebook page www.facebook.com/anzaccentenary

You can share in the spirit of Anzac and involve yourself in the conversation by using hashtag #anzaccentenary

“Like” the page to see regular commemorative posts and shares.Visit www.anzaccentenary.gov.au for more information on the

Anzac Centenary.

Commemorative eventsA series of commemorative events will take place at Albany from 31 October to 2 November 2014 to mark the 100th Anniversary of the departure of the first convoy and the significant role Albany has played in Australia’s military history.

The ACCE will involve the arrival of naval ships into King George Sound on Friday 31 October, followed by a RAN Ceremonial Sunset. On 1 November, Australian and New Zealand Defence Force person-nel will participate in a troop march followed by a commemorative service with representatives from the Australian and New Zealand Governments, veteran and Defence communities. The National Anzac Centre will be officially opened on the afternoon of 1 Novem-ber and the naval ships will depart King George Sound to represent the departure of the first convoy. On 2 November a ship open day will be held, and later that day, the naval ships will depart. The City of Albany and surrounding region is also organising a series of commu-nity events to complement the national events. These will include a community concert, a children’s commemorative event, a projections and storytelling display on key buildings in Albany, and a lighting and pyrotechnics display.

What to expect at AlbanyAlbany is expecting large numbers of visitors to the region from 31 October to 2 November. If you are attending the commemorative ser-vices and community activities, you should make yourself aware of the conditions applicable to those events. To support your attend-ance, assist in managing expectations and to help you to have a safe and enjoyable experience, please visit www.anzaccentenary.gov.au and visit the What to expect at Albany section for more information on the environment and location and What to expect at Albany FAQs for information on the commemorative events.

6 — Vetaffairs Spring 20146 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

Opening of the Musée de la Bataille de FromellesAustralians who fought in the 1916 Battle of Fromelles were honoured at the official opening of the Musée de la Bataille de Fromelles on Friday 18 July 2014. In the worst day in our nation’s history, Australia suffered 5533 casualties at Fromelles on the night of 19–20 July 1916.

Attending the opening in France, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson said he was pleased that the Australian Government has been able to contribute more than $1 million to construct the new Musée de la Bataille de Fromelles.

The Battle of Fromelles Museum tells the story of that bloody 24 hours through a large collection of artefacts, photographs and multimedia, and recreations of German and Allied trenches that showcase original materi-als recovered from the battlefield.

It also tells the story of the recovery of the remains of 250 Australian and British soldiers from a mass grave at Pheasant Wood, near Fromelles. The remains of these men, who died in 1916, were exhumed and reburied with military honours at the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery in 2010, and the subsequent effort which (to date) has identified – by name – 144 Australians.

Fromelles is one of 12 key sites on the Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front. The Trail is a $10 million Australian Government initiative, in partnership with French and Belgian authorities, comprising walking trails, museums, battlefields, memorials and cemeteries.

All of these sites can now be explored online through the new interactive features of the Australian Remembrance Trail Virtual Visitors Centre at www.ww1westernfront.gov.au

Gallipoli 2015 updateAustralians offered a place at Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015 have only a couple of weeks left to accept their place.

The deadline is 11:59pm AEDT Saturday 25 October and includes providing passport details and proof of travel. This can be done online via the recipient’s ballot account at www.gallipoli2015.dva.gov.au or, for those who don’t have a computer or have lost their ballot account log-in details, by contacting Ticketek on 1300 364 002 to request a hard-copy acceptance form.

Those who can’t attend anymore, or have changed their mind, are encouraged to decline their offer as soon as possible in order to maximise the time available for the next eligible person on the waitlist to organ-ise and pay for their travel.

The waitlist has been activated and will operate until 31 March 2015. Passes that were originally offered in the direct descendant or veteran category will be reissued to the next individual on the waitlist within the specific category. Passes reissued in the general cat-egory will be offered to the next person on the waitlist, whether they are from the gen-eral public, a direct descendant or a veteran.

It is important for all those attending the commemorations to come prepared.

Key points to consider regarding travel arrangements:• The Australian Government does not

arrange or pay for any form of transport to or from the Gallipoli Campaign His-torical Site.

• The Gallipoli Campaign Historical Site is a five-hour drive from Istanbul and while you can catch a public bus from Istanbul to several local towns close to the national park, there is no public transport avail-able to the Anzac battlefield sites.

• Each year, the majority of visitors (95 per cent) attend the Anzac Day services as part of a guided bus tour. In 2015, the closest parking available for private vehi-cles will be more than 10 kilometres away from the Anzac battlefield sites and you

will need to get yourself from your car to the services.

• The Jandarma will not permit private vehicles to enter the Gallipoli Campaign Historical Site (at Kilye Koy), even if the people in the private vehicle are ticket holders.

• Previously, a very small number of visi-tors have arrived by taxi, but they have found this to be problematic. There are no phones available to call a taxi after the services. If a taxi does agree to pick you up, it may have to wait several hours in the coach queue before arriving. Tour operators do not allow visitors who are not on their tour to “get a lift” with them, after the services, to the nearest town.

For more information on what to expect at the commemorations and how to prepare, visit www.gallipoli2015.dva.gov.au

More double passes for Gallipoli 2015A further 60 double passes to Anzac Day at Gallipoli in 2015 have been provided to Australians on the waitlist. The Turkish Government have handed back 150 of the 250 places originally reserved for its official guests, providing additional places at the commemorations for Australians and New Zealanders.

This means a further 75 double passes have been released to Australians and New Zealanders on waitlists: 15 to New Zealand-ers and 60 to Australians. Australian passes were offered to the next 60 Australians on the waitlist.

The 60 double passes are in addition to the more than 140 double passes offered to Aus-tralians recently, following the activation of the waitlist in late June.

The waitlist will operate until 31 March 2015. Further draws of the waitlist are expected in the coming months as those who were initially offered a place in the ballot accept or decline their passes.

ACT and WA schools take out Anzac Day Schools’ AwardsTop honours in this year’s Anzac Day Schools’ Awards have been awarded to Melba Copland Secondary School in the ACT and Binnu Primary School in WA, in their respective state and national categories.

This year’s National and ACT Secondary Winner, Melba Copland Secondary School, was commended for undertaking a wide variety of Anzac-related learning activities, and encouraging students to research and think critically about Australia’s military service. The school involved their local community by inviting veterans to talk to students and also inviting current serving members of the Australian Defence Force and other local schools to participate in their Anzac Day service.

The National and WA Primary Winner, Binnu Primary School, conducted a special project where students grew 100 seedlings from their established Lone Pine tree. They will gift the seedlings to other schools across the state in a gesture of sharing the Anzac spirit. The seedlings will be planted on Anzac Day in 2015.

The Anzac Day Schools’ Awards competition recognises the innovative learning that is occurring in our schools and the importance of commemorating our wartime history.

For more information on the Anzac Day Schools’ Awards visit www.dva.gov.au/schoolsawards

Melba Copland Secondary School, ACT

Binnu Primary School, WA

7 — Vetaffairs Spring 20147 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

Remembering on Vietnam Veterans’ DayThousands of people attended events organised around Australia to mark the 48th anniver-sary of the Battle of Long Tan and Vietnam Veterans’ Day on 18 August.

The Battle of Long Tan was one of Australia’s most costly victories of the Vietnam con-flict, with 18 Australians losing their lives and 24 others wounded in the battle.

On 18 August 1966, Australian soldiers from D Company 6th Battalion, The Royal Aus-tralian Regiment, encountered the leading elements of a 2500-strong enemy force in a rubber plantation north of the village of Long Tan. Although heavily outnumbered, the Australians held firm until a relief force arrived.

The Australians at Long Tan showed remarkable courage – a spirit revived often over subsequent years as veterans battled with the aftermath of Australia’s longest and perhaps most controversial military conflict.

By the time the war had come to an end, over a decade later, almost 60,000 Australians had served. Of these men and women, 521 died and more than 3000 were wounded.

Over the Anzac Centenary period we will remember a century of service and sacrifice in all wars, conflicts and peace keeping operations, including Vietnam. In 2016, the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, this important anniversary will be marked in the respectful and dignified way it deserves.

As many people know, the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) is the legacy of Australia’s Vietnam veterans. This service, founded as the Vietnam Veter-ans’ Counselling Service, has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Founded in 1982, today VVCS provides free and confidential, nation-wide counselling and support for war and service-related mental health conditions to all Australian veterans and their families. And, as you will read on this page, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson launched the new VVCS website and Facebook page on Vietnam Veterans’ Day.

For more information on the Vietnam War visit www.vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au

DVA’s online services continue to growSince DVA launched its online service MyAccount in May 2012, more than 26,000 clients have registered to use this convenient service. The number continues to grow daily, as clients and their representatives discover the many features, choice and ease that comes with engaging with DVA online.

Changing income and assetsIn the past, if a client wanted to notify DVA of changes to their personal or financial circumstances, they needed to either contact the Department during business hours by phone or by visiting a VAN office, or by sending a fax or letter. Now through MyAccount, registered users have access to an online avenue to quickly and easily update their income and asset details at any time that is convenient to them.

What are some of the other things that can be done through MyAccount?

• MyAccount users can update their bank account details online for the payment of benefits.

• DVA has enhanced transport services and removed the 100 kilometre limit for medical transport booking and reimbursement. This is particularly beneficial for regional clients who have to travel some distance for treatment. Claiming travel reimbursement online means clients can often get their money faster.

• DVA clients are now able to lodge additional claims for their Service Pension Qualifying Service, cards and claims for compensation following the death of a spouse.

If you are still hesitant to establish your MyAccount, remember that the online service complements the more traditional ways of communicating with DVA. People who prefer to contact the Department by phone, fax, email, mail and in person, are still welcome to do so.

For more information on MyAccount, visit www.myaccount.dva.gov.au or contact DVA on 133 254 or from regional Australia free call 1800 555 254. Staff will help you get started in setting up your own MyAccount.

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service joins Generation Facebook

It has been an exciting few months for Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Ser-vice (VVCS), with the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson launching the new VVCS website and Facebook page.

The VVCS Facebook page will enable the veteran and ex-service community to learn more about VVCS group programmes and available services. It will connect the community to much needed support, especially during times of commemoration, and it will provide an opportunity for a supportive community to be established within the VVCS online space.

In announcing these initiatives, Senator Ronaldson highlighted the support VVCS pro-vides to the families of Australia’s serving men and women.

“VVCS does an amazing job on the frontline, providing mental health support to the veteran community and their families. The counselling and group programmes are vitally important, but so is the access to online support,” Senator Ronaldson said.

“Tackling the mental health challenges facing veterans and their families is a key pillar of the Government’s plan for veterans’ affairs … the Government’s priority is to ensure that we have the mental health services and support in place,” he said.

Launching the VVCS Facebook page on Vietnam Veterans Day, Senator Ronaldson acknowledged that social media and online tools will never replace face-to-face services. He highlighted the role that social media can play in encouraging peer-to-peer support, improving mental health literacy, assisting members of the veteran community with self management, and providing contact information and referral pathways for those in need.

“Our challenge is to ensure that the available information is accurate and up-to-date, as well as easy to access, informative and appealing. The VVCS website and Facebook page are fine examples of this,” Senator Ronaldson said.

The VVCS online presence is part of a wider initiative by DVA to increase its online and social media presence. The community’s overwhelmingly positive response to the recent mental health support campaign, sponsored by the DVA Aus Facebook page, has shown that there is a real desire in the community to learn more about veteran mental health via online channels.

VVCS provides free and confidential, nationwide counselling and support for war and service-related mental health conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and anger. VVCS also provides relationship and family coun-selling to address issues that can arise due to the unique nature of military service.

For help, to learn more, or to check eligibility, call 1800 011 046, visit www.vvcs.gov.au or “like” VVCS on Facebook.

Long Tan Bursary now open for applicationsChildren of Vietnam veterans can now apply for funding assistance to help with the cost of following their chosen career path. The Long Tan Bursary Scheme is

named after the Battle of Long Tan, the well-known battle fought by Australians during the Vietnam War. Each bursary has a total value of up to $9000 over three years, to help cover costs such as enrolment, course fees and textbooks.This year, 41 students from across

the country received bursaries assist-ing them to study a wide-range of

disciplines including nursing and other health sciences through to education, commerce and law. The scheme is administered by

the Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust in partnership with DVA. Applications for each academic year open on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, 18 August, and close on 31 October. For more information on the Long Tan

Bursary Scheme or to apply, visit the DVA website www.dva.gov.au/grants For a list of 2014 recipients who

have agreed to be named, visit www.dva.gov.au/media

8 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

Improving your mental health –DVA, your Doctor and youImproving the mental health of veterans is a major priority for DVA. The Veteran Mental Health Strategy 2013-23 provides a structured and strategic approach to responding to the mental health needs of current and future veterans.

Improving mental health doesn’t simply involve DVA working with veter-ans and their families, but also with their mental health practitioners – the health professionals who assist them on their journey to recovery.

As each veteran’s experiences are different, so too are their treatment jour-neys. A priority for DVA is the use of evidence-based treatment – treatment that has been shown by research to be effective. Effective, evidence-based treatment can be tailored to each individual, to suit their specific needs. This treatment can often be provided by a range of different health professionals, to suit the needs of the veteran.

For example, the past two decades have seen major advances in the treat-ment of posttraumatic stress disorder. There is now clear evidence of the effectiveness of trauma-focused psychological therapy – a range of treatments aimed at helping veterans address traumatic memories, re-engage in activities they have avoided due to their trauma, and assist them to think about their experiences in more helpful ways to promote recovery. We also know from research that, unfortunately, up to one third of mental health practitioners do not use these evidence-based treatments. Many GPs are also either unaware of these treatments or are unsure of where to send their veteran patients to receive it.

DVA is collaborating with experts, including the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health and Flinders University, and professional asso-ciations such as the Australian Psychological Society and the Royal Australian College of General Practice, to develop resources to help health practitioners to better understand the military experience and how to effectively use evi-dence-based treatment options.

DVA’s At Ease Professional website at-ease.dva.gov.au/professionals/ is the centrepiece of this collaboration, offering health practitioners a one-stop online resource to access evidence-based assessment tools, information on treatment options, patient resources and the latest research in military mental health. DVA has released a series of online training programmes, YouTube videos, treatment manuals for clinicians, and provided funding for the devel-opment of the Australian Guidelines for the Treatment of Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder to encourage evidence-based treatment prac-tices. The Department also actively works with practitioners to increase their awareness of these resources.

DVA’s aim is to support health practitioners to deliver high quality health care to Australia’s veterans.

For more information visit at-ease.dva.gov.au

Annual Monetary Limit on dental treatmentWhile DVA entitled persons have access to dental treatment under the DVA Health Cards arrangements, there are restrictions on some of the services available.

Some dental treatment is subject to an Annual Monetary Limit (AML), which is the maximum amount DVA will fund in any calendar year. These dental items are generally related to restorative dentistry and include expensive treatment options with crowns and bridges. Any treatment received that exceeds the AML will require a co-payment from you.

The AML for the 2014 calendar year is $2488, so it is important to ask your dental provider or DVA if the treatment you are receiving is subject to the AML to ensure you are aware of any out-of-pocket expenses you may incur.

If you or your dental provider require further information on dental services available under the schedule, contact DVA on 133 254 or from regional Australia free call 1800 555 254.

The DVA Health Card – For Pharmaceuticals Only (Orange Card)provides some Commonwealth and Allied Second World War veterans and mariners with access to prescribed medications

at the current concessional rate of $6 per item including items not listed in the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits, based

on clinical need. This includes pharmaceutical items available under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS), which is much broader range than that listed on

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). For full details on the eligibility requirements, refer to DVA Factsheet HSV69 – DVA

Health Card – For Pharmaceuticals only (Orange).

Health care and friendsDR GRAEME KILLER AOPRINCIPAL MEDICAL ADVISER

After 23 years as Principal Medical Adviser (PMA) to DVA, I will be moving on to greener pastures before the end of the year. I am not moving to my beloved North Queensland, but I am off to join my family in Melbourne – still a good option. My current position as PMA is an important one and DVA will be looking for a replacement. I wish him/her the very best.

I look forward to a new role where I may be able to continue to contribute. I have had a great run and it has indeed, been a great privilege to work with the veteran community and the staff at DVA. I enjoyed my 23 years in the RAAF, but working with the veteran commu-nity has been even more satisfying.

When I first joined DVA, veteran care was mainly delivered through the Repatriation Hos-pitals but was transitioned through the arrangements of the Repatriation Private Patient Scheme (RPPS) and delivered with the Gold Card entitlements. These new arrangements provided quality care for the veteran/war widow community and also greater choice. The RPPS has served the veteran community very well. In terms of health care innovation, using its unique database, DVA has led the way in introducing innovative health care programmes for the veteran community, ranging from the MATES Program, modern wound manage-ment, dose administration aids and more recently, the Veterans’ Coordinated Care Program, to name just a few. These programmes have been successful and more importantly, added value.

Writing this health column has been a bit of a challenge but a lot of fun, and I have attempted to get across some simple but important health messages. From the responses I have received, for which I am very grateful, at least on some occasions I appear to have hit the mark.

In my recent illness, I’ve learnt a lot more things about health from a consumer perspective. The quality of care recently provided to me has greatly restored my faith in the caring profes-sions. This applies particularly to the staff of St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Melbourne.

I’ll always be on the side of veterans and do what I can to help them in any way. I wish to thank the Minister and the Secretary and all those who sent me emails and cards during my recent illness – I will try not to forget. If one day you see an old doctor sitting in the sun with his dog on his lap reading Vetaffairs, you will know he is happy. It could well be me.

Best wishes.

Winning Gold for Australia

Australian para-canoe athlete Curtis McGrath has won Gold for Australia at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Moscow, Russia. These Championships were part of the lead-up to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games where the sport is making its debut in the Paralympics.

In record time, the 25 year old held off British paddler Jonathan Young by half a boat length to win the V1 200 TA final.

“It is quite a special result and I am honored to be the world champion,” Curtis said.

“It has been a lot of hard work, a lot of man hours, a lot of coach hours so it is really good to come away with a medal.”

Two years earlier, on August 23 2012, Curtis lost both his legs after stepping on an Impro-vised Explosive Device (IED) in Afghanistan. Curtis said when he was on the stretcher get-ting carried to the medivac chopper, he made a statement that he was going to be in the Paralympics.

Curtis fought against shock, blood loss and agonising pain, knowing that his life depended on it.

“I’d already searched the ground that I was about to walk on, and I’d missed one [an improvised explosive device], and stepped on it,” Curtis said.

“I opened my eyes, it was dark, I’m on my back, there’s lots of dust falling and it’s extremely silent. Deadly silent … I sat up, a lit-tle bit on my elbows and looked down and my legs were gone.”

Curtis’ comrades rushed to help, but Sapper McGrath was the specialist medic, and he had to talk them through his own first aid.

“I told them I was going into shock, started breathing extremely fast, and I told them I needed an IV and to hurry up, hurry up, hurry up!”

Eventually a chopper arrived, and Curtis was stretchered and stabilised.

Curtis says the first few seconds were abso-lutely crucial.

“Another 30 seconds without those tourni-quets on and I was dead.”

Congratulations to Curtis and to Australian Canoeing.

WIDOWS’ NEWS

9 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

War widow commended for brave conduct

Kathleen Cochrane, a Coffs Harbour war widow, has been commended for brave conduct. In 2008, Kathleen (then aged 81) intervened to assist her 82 year old neighbour, Elsie Beckhouse, (also a war widow), who was being assaulted in her home. Mrs Cochrane heard cries for help and found Mrs Beckhouse pinned to the floor, with her assailant holding her by the throat and using the other hand to punch her in the head and face. Mrs Cochrane used her friend’s emer-gency call button to alert the authorities. She stepped in between her injured friend and the assailant and distracted the assailant, who then left. Mrs Cochrane locked the door and waited with her friend until the police and paramedics arrived.

Mrs Cochrane said that Mrs Beckhouse’s face was covered in blood and she was unconscious. “I calmly spoke to Terri (the assailant), saying, ‘No darling, don’t make things worse for your-

self. The police are on their way … sit down on the lounge next to me and we will wait for the police together.’ Calming the attacker, she convinced her to walk outside the unit. Mrs Cochrane then activated the alarm and locked the door.

“If it wasn’t for Kath, I would have died, I will never forget what she did for me,” Mrs Beck-house said. The attacker was later charged and convicted.

Mrs Cochrane’s friends at the Coffs Harbour War Widows’ Guild Club are very proud of her, saying they could not imagine any one of them doing anything so brave to help their neighbour.

Congratulations to Mrs Cochrane on her calm and determined actions on that night, and on the bravery commendation.

Kathleen Cochrane and friend, Elsie Beckhouse. (Photo courtesy of APN Media.)

Widows commemorate First World WarWar widows have participated in the many and varied commemorations for the anniver-sary of the commencement of the First World War across Australia.

National War Widows’ Guild President and Victorian President, Wendy Charlton, addressed a Commemoration Ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall. Mrs Charlton spoke about the effect of war on the “forgot-ten people”, the families of the 417,000 men who enlisted, the women and children who were alone, bereaved and voiceless as a result of the war, and those who cared for the 166,000 men who returned to Australia with wounds. She recognised the organisations which were established to assist veterans and war widows after the war, such as Legacy and the RSL, and later, at the end of the Second World War, the War Widows’ Guild.

At Cowra in NSW, the commencement of the Centenary was com-memorated with the ringing of the Cowra Peace Bell. NSW War Widows Guild President and war widow, Wendy Thompson, rang the Peace Bell representing the Republic of India. The World Peace Bell was awarded to Cowra in recognition of the town’s long-standing contribution to peace and international understanding.

The NSW Government held an official ceremony on Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour to remember the Australian Expeditionary force which sailed out of Sydney Harbour bound for German New Guinea on 19 August 1914. The contingent was over 1000 strong. Within a month the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force suffered Aus-tralia’s first casualties of the First World War near Rabaul. The official ceremony on Cockatoo Island was attended by many dignitaries, includ-ing the Prime Minister, the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett AO CSC RAN, and war widow Gina Parrelli, who laid a wreath on behalf of war widows.

War widows also attended a concert, “An Australian War Requiem” performed by the Sydney University Graduate Choir and Orchestra, as the guests of the Ambassador of Belgium in August. The concert was co-sponsored by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Austral-ian War Memorial, the Embassy of France and the Consulate General of Germany.

Vice Admiral Tim Barrett AO CSC RAN, Gina Parrelli and Navy Chaplain, Murray Lund.

Wendy Charlton

Anne Bonner 1941–2014We are sad to report the death of Anne Bonner, former NSW and National President of the War Widows’ Guild of Australia.

Tributes have been sent from the many people who knew Anne in her role at the Guild and across the ex-service community, recognising her leadership and advocacy skills, her warmth and friendly approach.

Anne became a war widow in 1997, following the death of her husband Jim, a Second World War veteran. She joined the Guild shortly afterwards and served war widows in many capacities, including as NSW President and National President.

Anne made a commemorative visit to Gallipoli for Anzac Day in 2009 and laid a wreath at Lone Pine on behalf of war widows, with fellow war widow Mary Angus. Anne’s father-in-law had been injured at Lone Pine, later becoming an

amputee, so it held a special significance for her.Wendy Charlton, now National President, paid tribute to Anne’s caring personality and her attention

to detail. She acknowledged Anne as a true advocate and voice for all war widows. “Anne’s service to the Guild was admirable and her compassionate leadership of war widows highly valued”, she said. From left: Mary Angus and Anne Bonner at Lone Pine.

10 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

Wellbeing Research Programme UpdateThe Australian Government, through DVA and Defence, is investing $5 million in improving our understanding of the impact of military life on the physical and mental health of serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.

The University of Adelaide is the lead researcher commissioned by DVA, with a consortium of five researcher partner organisations, undertaking the three-year Transition and Wellbeing Research Pro-gramme. This ground-breaking study represents a significant investment towards examining health issues facing Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel – serving, reservists and transitioned – so that future healthcare services can be tailored to meet their needs.

The research programme is made up of three studies: the Mental Health and Wellbeing Transi-tion Study; the Impact of Combat Study; and the Family Wellbeing Study. • The Mental Health and Wellbeing Transition

Study will assess the mental, physical and social health of around 25,000 ex-serving personnel who have transitioned from full-time ADF service between 2010 and 2014, 5000 serving personnel and 5000 ab initio reservists.

• The Impact of Combat Study will revisit some 2000 ADF personnel who participated in the Middle East Area of Operations Prospective Health Study, being assessed pre and post deployment to the Middle East Area of Oper-ations, to investigate the longitudinal health outcomes of deployed personnel.

• The families of those participating in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Transition Study will be invited to join the Family Wellbeing

Study, which will investigate the impact of military service on the wellbeing of the fami-lies of serving and ex-serving personnel.

Preparation for the research programme is well underway, with an online survey expected to commence early in 2015, with reports being published from late 2015 to 2016. As with all DVA and Defence research, participation will be entirely voluntary and responses will not in any way affect your service, or any pension, benefits or health services which individuals are entitled to from DVA, or may become entitled to in the future.

More information about the programme can be found at www.dva.gov.au/health_and_well-being/research/Pages/TWRP.aspx

If you have any questions regarding the programme, or require further information, contact the DVA Research team by email at research@dva.gov.au

Changes to Middle East Area of Operations service classificationOperation SLIPPER has been the major operation in the Middle East for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). As of 1 July 2014, the ADF split the existing area of Operation SLIPPER into three separate operations of warlike and non-warlike service.

The changes affect ADF personnel deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO). Operation SLIPPER will remain classified as warlike service. However, the area will reduce to the area bounded by the land mass and superjacent airspace of Afghanistan.

Maritime operations in the MEAO will be conducted under Opera-tion MANITOU and will be classified as non-warlike service.

Operations in neighbouring Gulf States (Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates) will be conducted under Operation ACCOR-DION and will be classified as non-warlike service.

The Minister for Defence is responsible for determining whether an operation is warlike or non-warlike. Warlike service is determined when the application of force is authorised to pursue specific military objectives and there is an expectation of casualties. Non-warlike service is likely to be determined where military activities are short of warlike operations and where casualties could occur but are not expected, with the only force to be used by the ADF is in self-defence. The classification of service has an effect on DVA payments including permanent impairment compensation and access to the service pension, in recognition of the effects of warlike service in an operational area.

New ADF Post-discharge GP Health AssessmentAll former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) can now access a compre-hensive post-discharge health assessment from their GP.

This assessment is available to all former serving personnel, including former mem-bers of either the permanent or reserve forces.

A key objective is to help GPs identify and diagnose the early signs of physical and/or mental health problems.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has funded the development of a specifically designed assessment tool to assist the GP to assess their patient’s current physical and psychological wellbeing. The tool includes questions to assess factors such as physical activity, chronic pain, sleep, any alcohol and substance use, psychological health and sexual health.

Talk to your GP, tell them you have served in the ADF and ask them about this health assessment. A Medicare rebate is available.

Data Study of F-111 maintenance workers underwayThe Department of Veterans’ Affairs has commenced the Fourth Mortality and Can-cer Incidence Study of personnel who were involved with the F-111 Deseal/Reseal (DSRS) Programmes at Amberley, Queensland between 1977 and 2000.

No action from the F-111 community is required – this is a data analysis exercise con-ducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The study has the required ethical approvals and the privacy of individuals will be protected

The study is expected to be completed in 2015 and is a continuation of three previous studies completed between 2003 and 2009, as part of the broader Study into the Health Outcomes of Air-craft Maintenance Personnel.

The passage of time and further informa-tion to expand the study group has provided

an opportunity to add to current and previous studies.

The Department of Defence has now com-pleted the Jet Fuel Exposure Syndrome Study (JFESS) investigating genetic factors that may contribute to associated health outcomes among some former F-111 DSRS personnel.

Together these studies will ensure that DVA and Defence have an accurate picture of the prevalence of cancer and mortality in personnel involved in the DSRS programmes and are able to support them now and in the future.

In the meantime, compensation, ex-gratia payments, health care and counselling is avail-able for eligible F-111 DSRS participants.

For more information about the study or the support available, visit the F-111 website www.f111.dva.gov.au or call the F-111 hotline on 1800 555 323.

Introducing Dr Stephanie Hodson, CSCDr Stephanie Hodson works in the Mental and Social Health Policy Branch at DVA as the Mental Health Advisor. She has worked in the area of mental health for 22 years and is her-self an Australian Defence Force (ADF) veteran. She graduated from James Cook University in Townsville in 1990 with a Bache-lor of Psychology (Honours) and joined the Army in August 1991. As an Army Psychology Officer she worked with Defence mem-bers in both clinical, research and organisational health roles both in Australia and on opera-tional deployment.

In 2002, Dr Hodson com-pleted her doctoral studies investigating the longitudinal psychological effects of opera-tional deployment to Rwanda, the results from which assisted in the business case for this group of veterans receiving the active service medal. In 2006, she assumed command of the 1st Psychology Unit, a role in which she was responsible for all land-based mental health and psychology support to ADF operations and had the oppor-tunity to deploy with teams to both the Middle East Area of Operations and Timor Leste. For this work she was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross.

Within Defence she played a key role in the development of the ADF Critical Incident

Mental Health Support Frame-work, the Self Management and Resilience Training (SMART), the ADF Mental Health Strategy and was co-principal investiga-tor for the 2011 ADF Mental Health Prevalence and Wellbe-ing Prevalence Study.

Dr Hodson now works as the DVA Mental Health Advisor and is assisting with policy and programme development, as well as mental health research. She is married to Shaun, who is also ex-military, and she has three teenage sons, two of whom are considering joining the mili-tary. Dr Hodson has a very good understanding of the benefits and challenges of military ser-vice, as well as the impact on family.

Dr Hodson has agreed to con-tribute to the Vetaffairs news- paper from next issue, so keep an eye out for her column.

11 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

News from the Rehabilitation Appliances Program New items added to the RAP Schedule of Equipment The changing nature of the health environment, and technological advance-ments in rehabilitation aids and appliances, has resulted in new items recently added to the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) Schedule of Equipment.

Significantly, a new dementia-specific RAP Schedule category has recently been created. This is in response to the increasing number of Australians diagnosed with dementia – and the veteran community is no exception.

Dementia is an umbrella term describing a syndrome associated with several different diseases, and characterised by the impairment of brain func-tions, including language, memory, perception, personality and cognitive skills. It is predicted that dementia will be the leading cause of disability in Australia by 2016.

The new category for Cognitive, Dementia and Memory Assistive Technol-ogy items is designed to address the specific day-to-day needs of dementia sufferers and include aids to assist with orientation to time and place within the home environment, as well as aids to maximise safety and independence.

Many state-of-the-art communication applications to support speech pathology needs are now designed for use on tablet computers and smart phones. These items are convenient and portable, and as a consequence, tab-let computers (such as iPads) have been included in the RAP Schedule under the category of assistive communication devices. Tablet computers and smart phones are provided solely for the purpose of running speech pathology applications for persons with complex communication needs.

The changing aged care system and implications for RAP The Aged Care Reforms are being progressively introduced over the next 10 years. The changes will ensure the aged care system provides more choice and control for consumers, and remains sustainable and affordable for older Australians.

The latest stage of reforms came into effect on 1 July 2014 and included the removal of the distinction between low care and high care in perma-nent residential aged care, for all new and existing residents. From 1 July, references to relevant Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) classification ranges will replace any references to “low care” and “high care” in eligibil-ity criteria, determining permanent resident access to other Commonwealth programmes.

VETERANS’ HEALTH WEEKDVA is again calling on the veteran and Australian Defence Force (ADF) com-munities to take part in activities that will benefit their health and wellbeing during Veterans’ Health Week (VHW)—Monday 13 to Sunday 19 October 2014.

This year’s primary theme is Nutrition, but DVA will also provide support to events and activities which encompass two or more of the VHW themes of Physical Activity, Nutrition, Mental Wellness and Social Connection.

Although it is important to look after your health and wellbeing all year round, VHW is an opportunity to do this with your family, friends and current or former members of the ADF. It’s a time to reflect, make changes and get your-self and others involved in activities.

With VHW fast approaching, now is the time to find out what is planned in your local community. Last year around 14,000 people participated in the 189 events and activities held across Australia.

To find out more about VHW, including local events and last-minute assis-tance with planning an event, contact DVA on 133 254 or from regional Australia free call 1800 555 254, email vhw@dva.gov.au or visit www.dva.gov.au/vhw

NEW WEBSITE TO HELP AUSTRALIANS WITH HEARING LOSS

A new Australian Government hearing services website has been released to assist Australians find up-to-date information about hearing

and hearing loss and to assist eligible clients of the Hearing Services Programme. The programme, which assists more than 600,000 people

access hearing services in Australia, now provides a faster online application process replacing time consuming paper processes.

For more information visit www.hearingservices.gov.au

Planning for your medical careEven if you are hale and hearty, it is never too early to plan ahead for your end of life medical care, including completing an Advance Care Directive (ACD). This vol-untary legal document, sometimes called a “living will”, allows you to clearly specify your choices for medical and personal care options at the end of your life, should you be unable to speak for yourself due to ill-ness or injury. This may include recording your preferences regarding resuscitation or other life-prolonging medical interven-tions, pain management, or your wish to die in your home or an aged cared facility rather than in a hospital.

End of life care planning is particularly important in Australia today, due to an ageing population, medical advances and changing patterns of disease. While pal-liative care has traditionally been in the domain of patients with terminal cancer, statistically, individuals who live past 80 years of age tend to die from other condi-tions that are characterised by a slow and general deterioration.

Evidence shows that early advance care planning means fewer days in hospital for

patients at the end of their life, and most importantly, a peaceful and dignified final journey for individuals and their families. An ACD can provide peace of mind for fam-ilies and care-givers who may otherwise have the burden of making difficult medi-cal decisions on behalf of their loved one.

While you may have already nominated a Power of Attorney to deal with financial, property or business decisions on your behalf, they cannot make medical decisions for you. Advance care planning therefore gives you an opportunity to nominate a family member or friend who you trust to communicate your specific medical care choices, as recorded in an ACD. This per-son may be referred to as an Enduring Guardian, Substitute Decision Maker or Medical Power of Attorney, depending on where you live.

Each state and territory has their own guidelines and laws regarding ACDs. For more information, visit www.advancecare-planning.org.au or make an appointment today to discuss advance care planning with your GP or health professional.

The Red Cross – 100 years of helping

Red Cross Voluntary Aids, in their white uniforms with distinctive emblem, march past their President, Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, in the grounds of Government House, Sydney, c.1915. (AWM H11580)

The Australian Red Cross celebrated its 100th anniversary on 13 August. This remarkable service began as the Aus-tralian Branch of the British Red Cross Society on 13 August 1914 at Government House, Melbourne, nine days after the out-break of the First World War. Today, one million Red Cross members, volunteers, donors, staff, blood donors, recipients and supporters make a positive difference to the lives of people in need every day.

The contribution that the Australian Red Cross made on the home front dur-ing the war extended beyond caring for returned soldiers, providing emotional support to families with loved ones at war. This saw the Red Cross establish a Wounded and Missing Persons Informa-tion Bureau in each state. By the end of the First World War the Australian Red Cross was handling 36,000 cases, discovering the fate of missing and wounded soldiers.

Acknowledging the outstanding contribution, support and dedication the Red Cross has provided to Australians,

particularly in time of war, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, paid tribute to the Red Cross.

“The Australian Red Cross was founded out of the humanitarian needs of war, days after the commencement of the First World War, and we recognise an impor-tant milestone in their history,” Senator Ronaldson said.

“The Australian Red Cross and its vol-unteers have demonstrated an enduring and dedicated commitment to working with those in need.”

As the Australian Red Cross moves into its centenary year, it will host a number of planned community events across the country to honour and pay tribute to those Red Cross volunteers and the importance of people helping people.

The Australian Red Cross ‘Our Cente-nary’ website http://centenary.redcross.org.au/ has stories about the extraordinary generosity and compassion of everyday Australians.

12 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

Eligible veterans to receive the Legion of Honour

Awarded the Legion of Honour at a ceremony in Caen, France. Veterans (l-r) Stuart ‘Snow’ Davis; Bob Cowper; Ron Houghton; Bill Purdy; Bill Evans; Fred Riley; and Phillip Elger.

To commemorate the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy, the Ambassador of France to Australia would like to honour all eligible Australian veterans of the campaign by presenting them with the French Legion of Honour.

The Legion of Honour is the highest decoration bestowed in France, awarded for bravery and to those who risked their lives defending the liberty of France during the Second World War.

This follows a recent DVA mission for seven Australian veterans who returned to France to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the Normandy Campaign.

During their trip, those who hadn’t previously received the Legion of Honour, were presented with the medallion in a special ceremony in Caen, France. Here they were joined by veterans from other Allied nations such as Canada and the United States, in what was a truly unforgettable occa-sion for all veterans, their families and friends.

Veterans who believe they may be eligible can self nominate, or may be nominated by family or friends, but all requested information must be included in the nomination.

Veterans should contact the Embassy of France in Australia on (02) 6216 0161 for more informa-tion or to request nomination forms, or email a copy of their current valid identification details and a copy of their military service relating to the campaign for the liberation of France, to defence@ambafrance-au.org

A pipe rack tells an Aussie’s D-Day story

Colonel Paul Appleton, CSM remembers as a small child occasionally seeing a rather neglected wooden, stained pipe rack in his family’s shed. He shared his story with Vetaffairs, remem-bering how he thought nothing more of it until much later in life when Frank Appleton, Paul’s father, recounted its history. This is Paul’s brief story of the relationship of a pipe rack to D-Day.

My father was one of a number of Australians (RANVR) who were attached to the Royal Navy during the Second World War. He specialised in combined operations and had been very lucky to survive (with only shrapnel wounds) the disastrous Dieppe raid as Commander of a landing craft in August 1942. As a Lieutenant in 1943, he embarked on training and planning for future amphibious landings on the French coast and, having been promoted to Lieutenant Commander, he took charge of a landing craft flotilla. On D-Day, 6 June 1944, my father led his 12 landing craft carrying 48 Royal Canadian Artillery self propelled 105mm guns, mounted on Sherman tanks, onto the Juno beach shoreline.

Excerpts from his memoirs about the day are vivid.

“… The Canadian gunners onboard opened fire at 10,500 yards and continued until the 3000 yard mark … there was so much smoke on the beach that we could not see whether the Commandos had landed ahead of us.

“Heavy guns from the ships in anchor-age opened up. The noise was deafening … the beach mines and obstacles were more thickly strewn than expected … the beach had not been cleared.

“All the flotilla was able to touch down and land their tanks … many had dam-aged hulls because beach mines had not been cleared, but the flail tanks were oper-ating … a real scene of carnage … bodies were being taken out of the water.

“Efforts were being made to clear the front from some badly damaged landing craft … the smell of cordite, the sound of distant and close bombing brought to my mind what Dante’s Inferno might have been like…”

Having gone ashore, my father began the process of organising the withdrawal

of landing craft from the beaches and car-rying the wounded (as well as German prisoners of war) back to the United King-dom. Supplies and reinforcements were then loaded for delivery onto Juno beach in continuous ferry operations for many days and weeks.

For his work leading up to (and dur-ing) these D-Day landings, my father was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, and, in more recent years, the French Legion D’Honneur.

Not all that long before his passing, my father told me the story about his pipe rack. It had been hand-made by his sail-ors between ferry operations as a special thank you gift to him for getting them through the carnage of that day without major injury. They had used spare timber and had carved – on its top – a very special reminder of the symbol under which they had operated: the Combined Operations emblem.

After his death, this enduring tribute to my father was re-discovered and lovingly restored. No longer used to hold pipes, it now has a new life as a key rack and is a daily reminder to my family and me of a brave man whose life, as well as many others’ lives, was so affected by that historic day.

CMDR FSB Appleton DSC VRD CMDR FSB Appleton DSC VRD being awarded the French Legion D’Honneur at the AWM in 2005.

Rehabilitation successDVA has a range of services and support available to assist former ser-vicemen and women who are injured, wounded or ill as a result of their service, to continue to lead a normal life. Rehabilitation plans that are catered specifically to an individual’s needs and goals are central to this healing process.

In coming issues of Vetaffairs, several individuals will share their sto-ries on how a rehabilitation plan has helped them and their families. For more information on DVA’s rehabilitation services and support visit www.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation

Jason Brown – from active service to civilian life

Jason Brown medi-cally discharged from the Navy in 1989 and, due to ill health, was out of the workforce for more than 16 years. A realistic and goal-focused rehabilitation plan developed by DVA helped Jason get back on track and he is now employed and an active member of the local community.

This is Jason’s story…I joined the Navy in 1984, and served for just over five years. When I resigned in 1989 for medical and psychological reasons, I knew I was facing a career change.

I decided to take up the challenge of becoming a self-employed restaurant operator. Years following the closure of this venture saw reduced employment opportunities for me due (to a great degree) to a failing knee condition.

It was thanks to my family that I managed to work in a local business for a while, with flexible work hours to help me with my worsening health conditions. Other short term jobs followed, but after I ended up on sick benefits, I later got the sack. I did not know what to do, and for more than 16 years I remained out of the workforce.

When I turned 40, I suffered a minor heart attack, and shortly after that, I had a knee operation. The same year, I lost my partner of 16 years. What followed was a period of grieving. Substance and alcohol abuse led to very low points in my life. Bouts of depression meant for-going hope for the future. I was not in a good space. It was a very, very traumatic time for me.

Since I have been picked up by DVA, the services have been absolutely terrific. Everyone has been cooperative and helpful. The rehabilitation service provider organised by DVA fully understood my circumstances and they organised suitable vocational training. They prepared me for returning to work in a job I can actually do (and will be able to continue doing) without putting too much pressure on myself.

After doing my course in 2012, I decided to do some volunteering with an organisation called 2&5 Inc. (two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables per day). They supply affordable fresh fruit and vegetables that are sourced from local growers. This opportunity then led to a job offer. I am now managing the 2&5 shopfront for two-and-a half days a week. My boss is happy, my doctor is happy, and I’m happy.

13 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

PUBLICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR SALE

Charles BeanRoss Coulthart

Modern-day journalist Ross Coul-thart tells the story of his First World War counterpart Charles Bean, legendary war correspondent, and his struggle to tell Australians the truth about the Great War. Part biography, part investigation, Coul-thart’s landmark history tells how

Bean laboured to give a full and candid account of the war and reveals how instrumental Bean was in the creation of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Bean’s work remains a primary source for much of what is written about the First World War.Hard cover, photographs, 464 pages, $45.00.

A good place to hideHow one French community saved thousands of lives in World War IIPeter Grose

This is the story of an isolated French community in the upper reaches of the Loire Valley that conspired to save the lives of 3500 Jews under the noses of the Ger-mans and the soldiers of Vichy France. And it is the story of good men and women who offered sanc-

tuary, solidarity and hospitality to people in desperate need, knowing full well the conse-quences to themselves. This powerful, richly told story speaks to the courage of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.Soft cover, photographs, 323 pages, $33.00.

Centenary Flanders poppy pinExclusive to the Australian War Memorial

The Flanders poppy has long been a part of Remembrance Day, and is now increasingly being used as part of Anzac Day observances. During the First World War, red poppies

were among the first plants to spring up in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium. This striking commemorative lapel pin is made of silver-coloured metal with red and black enamel, and fastens with a push-pin attachment.Pin measures 2.5 x 2.8 cm, $9.95.

The AnzacsPatsy Adam-Smith

Gallipoli was the final resting place for thousands of young Aus-tralians, and when the Gallipoli campaign was over, there was the misery of the Western Front. Patsy Adam-Smith read more than 8000 diaries and letters in order to write her acclaimed

best seller about the First World War. These are the extraordinary experiences of ordinary men, and their stories strike to the heart. The Anzacs remains a classic account of Australia’s involvement in the First World War. When first published in 1978, it won the Age Book of the Year award.Soft cover, 492 pages, $9.95.

2015 DVA calendar: Over a Century of ServiceOver a century of war and conflict, Australians have fought in battles from the North Atlantic Ocean to the Coral Sea and participated in peacekeeping mis-

sions on every inhabited continent. On the home front, the families and friends of Aus-tralia’s servicemen and servicewomen have gathered to farewell them and to welcome them home. Featuring photographs drawn from the col-lections of the Australian War Memorial and Department of Defence, the 2015 DVA calen-dar illustrates over a century of service from the Boer War to Afghanistan and honours all who have offered their lives in Australia’s armed forces.The calendar also lists official days of commemoration proclaimed by the Governor-General of Australia, national public holidays and DVA pension days.Softcover, 12-month, $11.95.

MEDALS FOUNDMedallion/medal from the Great War for Civilisation 1914–1919. 2264 PTE R WELLS 53 BN. AIF. Found with other coins and medallions. Contact Debby 0419 971 517.1939–45 WWII medal (no ribbon) V90867 K B JAMES. Found in pocket of clothes in St Vincent de Paul op shop, Chinchilla, Qld. Contact Chinchilla RSL (07) 4669 1111 or chinchillarslsb@bigpond.comA set of dog tags found in a button bottle at a jumble store in Qld. Name on dog tags D H JOHNSTON, W104733, WRAN. Contact Graeme Oxley 0413 135 779 or graeme.oxley@defence.gov.auService medals of ALISTAIR SCOTT OSWELL No. A314726-RAAF 2 Squadron 1968/69. DOB 26/1/41, Glasgow Scotland. Alistair died in 2005. I would like to see the medals returned to his family. Contact Bruce Pawley 0439 464 648 or brucepawley@bigpond.comFour medals belonging to MERVYN VIVIAN MAIZEY, DOB 22/10/23, last address Unit 6, 28 Treves Street, Merrylands, NSW 2160. They were handed into Redfern Police Station on 28/7/11 as part of evidence of possible theft. The medals are 1939-45 Star; 1939-45 Pacific Star; 1939-45 King George V1 Imperial Medal; and 1939-45 King George V1 Australian Service Medal. All med-als have the name M.V Maizey, No. NX 163524 on the rim or back. Contact subbranch@clubbondijunction.com.au or (03) 9387 4891.Recently some dog tags were handed to the Frankston RSL Club. We would like to return them to the rightful owners. Accord-ing to the anonymous donor, all tags were “found in Vietnam”. Details on each tag are – GORDON JOHN HULME DOB 7 July 1948 Kalgoorlie, WA s/n 55131 104 Signals Vietnam 11/67 to 11/68. KENETH ANDERSEN DOB 25 Feb 1948 Ipswich, QLD s/n 1411112 Service Corp Vietnam 07/67 to 02/68. THOMAS C PATMORE DOB 04 May 1945 Melbourne, Vic s/n 3787456 vari-ous units Vietnam 02/67 to 08/67. CHARLES W YOUNG DOB 23 Oct 1945 Melbourne, Vic s/n 3788443 A Sqd 3 Cav Vietnam 03/67 to 02/68. JOHN W VAN ANHOLT DOB 04 Aug 1949 The Hague, Holland s/n 3799483 Catering Corp Vietnam 04/71 to 11/71. RAYMOND McDONALD DOB 14 Dec 1947 Broken Hill, NSW s/n 4411177 3 RAR Vietnam 12/67 to 06/68 (wia). JOHN R CROOK DOB 27 Jan 1945 Armadale, WA s/n 5714057 104 Signals Vietnam 06/67 to 12/67. Contact Frankston RSL Sub Branch gwilson@frankstonrsl.com.au

number of copies total

Charles Bean – $45.00A good place to hide – $33.00Centenary Flanders Poppy pin – $9.95The ANZACs – $9.952015 DVA Calendar – $11.95

Postage & handling (per delivery address) 1–3 items $8.00, 4–9 items $12.00, 10 or more items $18.00 $Total amount x $

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14 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

news from the AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

Remembrance DayFormer Prime Minster the Hon. John How-ard will give the Commemorative Address at this year’s Remembrance Day National Cer-emony held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The ceremony begins at 10.15am on Tuesday 11 November and includes a for-mal wreath laying, accompanied by Australia’s Federation Guard and the Band of the Royal Military College.

The Remembrance Day National Ceremony includes a minute’s silence, held at the strik-ing of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that brought the First World War to an end in 1918. The ceremony commem-orates all men and women who have lost their lives in conflict.

Standing room will be provided for the pub-lic. Members of the public are also welcome to bring chairs or rugs for seating in the Memorial grounds. For more information and updates on road closures and parking, please visit www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/remembrance

The Memorial will open to the public at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Ben Quilty and Alex Seton exhibitionThe Australian War Memorial’s Ben Quilty: after Afghanistan exhibition will go on display in the Memorial’s Special Exhibitions Gallery from 12 December 2014.

These 21 studio paintings and 16 works on paper have been travelling the country since February 2013, and this Canberra exhibition will be the last time they are on display together.

Quilty was attached to the Australian Defence Force from 11 October to 3 November 2011. During this time he observed the Australians’ activities in Kabul, Kandahar, and Tarin Kot. His task was to record and interpret the experi-ences of Australian service personnel deployed as part of Operation Slipper.

Quilty’s works will be displayed in conjunction with Alexander Seton’s sculpture exhibition of 40 ceremonial flags commemorating Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Each flag stands for the fallen soldier whose name is etched on the underside of the sculpture.

Seton is a Sydney-based artist who works in a variety of media, including sculpture, instal-lation, video, and photography. The exhibition will be open until 27 May 2015, and entry is free.

Last Post CeremonyThe Memorial farewells visitors at the end of each day with a moving Last Post Ceremony. The ceremony begins with the singing of the Australian National Anthem, followed by the poignant strains of a piper’s lament. Visitors are invited to lay wreaths and floral tributes beside the Pool of Reflection. At each ceremony, the personal story of one of the Australians who lost their lives in war or other operations is told, highlighting what we know of their service and

personal life. After a recitation of the Ode, the ceremony ends with the sounding of the Last Post.

On the first and third Wednesday of each month Australia’s Federal Guard adds extra formality to the Last Post Ceremony. At 4pm a catafalque party mounts a vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier in the Hall of Memory. There is a change of guard at 4.30pm, and the entire catafalque party then participates in the Last Post Ceremony, beginning at 4.55pm Canberra time.

For more information, visit www.awm.gov.au/events/last-post-ceremony/

First World War galleriesThe Australian War Memorial is marking 100 years since the beginning of the First World War with the redevelopment of its First World War Galleries, opening to the public in early December 2014.

With only a few months left before the galler-ies open, Memorial staff have entered the final and most significant stage of the redevelop-ment, the installation of iconic collection items.

If you are visiting the Memorial before the galleries open you can catch a sneak peek into the new galleries through some small windows into the space along the Orientation Gallery Entry corridor.

To keep up to date on the redevelopment, please visit the Memorial’s webpage www.awm.gov.au/1914-1918/first-world-war-galleries/

ProjectionsDuring the centenary period 2014–18, the name of each of the 62,000 Australians who lost their lives during the First World War will be pro-jected onto the façade of the Hall of Memory at the Australian War Memorial. The names will be displayed from sunset to sunrise every night, and can be seen from the Memorial’s grounds, with each name visible for 30 seconds.

For more information and to find out the times when a particular name will appear, visit www.awm.gov.au

The Roll of Honour Name Projections can be seen from the Memorial’s grounds every night over the next four years.

Protecting your home – a small investmentThe extreme Australian climate can create many challenges for resi-dents, including bushfires, storms, floods and the occasional cyclone. Whenever these events occur, one of the valuable lessons learnt is the importance of being adequately insured.

Recent statistics show that up to 25 per cent of homes are not insured, and of those that are insured, some 50 per cent are underinsured.

For most of us, our house is likely to be the most valuable asset we own. For the cost of a small premium (especially when considered as a percentage of the total value of your home), you will be protected financially for insured losses, ranging from small claims up to the total loss of the home.

Apart from major events such as bushfires in the Blue Mountains or the Perth Hills, Cyclone ITA in north Queensland and the various floods across the country, many smaller partial losses still result in significant damage bills. Some of Defence Service Home Insurance’s (DSHI) larger claims include those resulting from kitchen fires – often from simple cooking incidents, and water damage claims from blocked drains, split pipes or overflowing sinks.

Severe winds and storms are usually unpredictable and they can strike anywhere and account for millions of dollars damage each year.

Underinsurance is an ongoing issue and can leave people with insufficient funds to repair or rebuild their damaged homes. This can happen anytime, but is a major issue for older homes when (often) there are significant additional costs to repair a home to comply with new Building Codes.

To assist customers to correctly estimate the cost of rebuilding their home – including all structural improvements such as fences, swimming pools and sheds – DSHI provides a building replacement cost calculator. This is available at www.dsh.gov.au/insurance/ins_build.htm

When calculating the sum insured, DSHI also factor in an allow-ance to cover the cost of the removal of debris as well as temporary accommodation. The sum insured is adjusted annually to keep pace with the movement in building costs. All this takes the worry out of correctly estimating the rebuilding costs and it reduces the risk of underinsurance.

More than 65,000 veterans enjoy protection under the DSHI, with any profits retained for the ongoing benefit of DSHI clients. DSHI is the winner of the Roy Morgan Research General Insurer of the Year Customer Satisfaction Award 2012 and 2013.

Contact DSHI on 1300 552 662 or email insurance@dva.gov.au for more information.

Preston honours those who servedRugby league great, Preston Campbell, featured in the Winter issue of Vetaffairs, says he enjoys being the one asking questions rather than answering them. Speaking with Indigenous ex-service men at Currumbin RSL in the lead up to Anzac Day, Preston wanted to get a better understanding of what these men underwent during their time in the Armed Forces, with hopes that others will also appreciate the sacrifices they made.

This comes as the NRL hero is working with DVA as an ambassador to help Indigenous ex-servicemen and women receive the support and recognition they deserve.

“There are many inspiring stories of bravery and sacrifice involving Indigenous servicemen and women, and I am proud to be working with DVA to ensure they are properly recognised for their service to our country,” Preston said.

DVA would like to thank the Gold Coast Titans, Preston Campbell, the Department of Defence, the Defence Shed, Currumbin RSL and Veterans, John Enchong, Victor Slockee, Vern Hopkins, Rick Gross and WOFF Don Taylor for proudly support-ing the Indigenous Champion Project in making this video www.titans.com.au/news/2014/04/24/presto_s_special_anzac_story.html

Did you know?• As at 1 August 2014, Defence had 1352 Indigenous members

who have indicated their Indigenous heritage. This figure is made up of 712 ADF permanent members, 437 ADF active reservists and 203 APS employees. This represents 1.2 per cent of ADF permanent members, 1.8 per cent of active reservists and 1.0 per cent APS employees.

• Members can identify their Indigenous heritage via the Defence personnel management system, PMKeyS. By self-identifying, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members are assisting Defence in understanding its workforce and inform decisions about people policies and programs.

• Defence provides forums and support for its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members including:

– the Defence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network (DATSIN)

– the annual DATSIN Conference – mentoring and support for Aboriginal and Torres Straits

Islander members. A program is underway to ensure men-toring is culturally appropriate for Indigenous men and women from the ADF and the APS.

– the Indigenous Cultural Advisory Group (ICAG) which provides culturally appropriate advice on sensitive issues relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

– the Diversity Roundtable (Indigenous Agenda) which comprises senior Navy, Army, Air Force and APS repre-sentatives and facilitates progress against the Indigenous Employment Strategy.

• Defence formally recognises its Indigenous members during National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week by encour-aging bases to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and encouraging Defence personnel to get involved with activities in their area.

• See the Defence and Australian National University ‘Serving Our Country’ project for the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service in the ADF www.ourmobservice.com

Reunion notices

15 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014

HMAS Leeuwin, 37th Rhoades Intake Reunion: 16-20 Oct 2014, Barossa Valley, SA. Contact the Organising Committee, eddy_reksmiss@hotmail.com or website www.37thleeuwin.net

RAAEC PNG Chalkies 1966-73 Reunion: 18 Oct 2014, Geebung-Zillmere RSL Club, Brisbane. Servicemen and partners invited from 9:30am to 3:00pm for presentations and conversations about life at the five PNG barracks. Contact Greg Ivey (07) 5476 6971 or iveygj@gmail.com

Junior Recruit First Intake July 1960 HMAS Leeuwin 70th Birthday Bash: 23-27 Oct 2014, Melbourne. Don’t miss this one! Contact Ian Dunn, 0422 514 982 or Don Barker, 0437 500 528.

Korea War Veteran Memorial Reunion: 24–26 Oct 2014, Canberra ACT. Korea War Vets, family and friends invited. Contact the Secretary, Wendy Karam, 0418 124 677 or wendy.karam@bigpond.com

2RAR Reunion: 25 Oct 2014, Twin Towns Club & Resort, Tweed Heads. AGM at 9.00am in the ANZAC Room, Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL Sub Branch, Level 2, Twin Towns Resort followed by a Commemora-tive Service in Cunningham Park. Coat, tie and medals are to be worn for the service. A reunion lunch will be held at the Twin Towns Club and Resort in the Bay Room following the Commemorative Service. Cost for lunch is $25.00. Members, families and friends welcome. Contact Secretary Gordon Hurford (07) 5443 5583 or 2rarsecretary@gmail.com

RAASC Vietnam Supply Platoons Assoc Reunion: 27–31 Oct 2014, Wollongong NSW. Contact Christina Luff, 0430 125 195 or bamberg01@bigpond.com

End of an Era Steam Ships Reunion No 4: 7–9 Nov 2014, Mandurah WA. Visit www.navystokers.org

RAE 1966 17 Constr. SQ. Reunion: 10 Nov 2014, New-castle. Former members and partners welcome. Contact Jim Moss moss.rae@bigpond.com

HMAS Shoalhaven & 4 Frigates Assoc Members Reunion No 10: 10–12 Nov 2014, Nowra NSW. All ex-RAN members who have served on ex RAN Frigates Shoalhaven, Culgoa, Murchison & Condamine are invited. A Remembrance Day dinner will be held at Worrigee Ex-Service Club. Reunion starts with members and invitees. Their wives/partners to meet and greet at Bomaderry RSL. Contact Bodgie Gibson (03) 5243 4967,

brianbond2000@bigpond.com or PO Box 44, Belmont Vic 3216.

HQ Tas Command Anglesea Barracks Reunion: 15–16 Nov 2014, Hobart. All OR’s who served at Anglesea Bar-racks or Dowsings Point 1968-70 welcome. Contact Greg Storr ( Flipper) (03) 5221 0847 or gregstorr@gmail.com

The 5th Battalion, RAR Association 50th Anniver-sary Reunion: 26 Feb–1 March 2015, Gold Coast. Contact Gary Townsend (07) 5594 4780 or garyt.5rar@gmail.com

25th Anniversary of Independence for Namibia Reunion: 21 March 2015, Windhoek Namibia. For Aust and NZ service personnel and families, contact markhornertraining@gmail.com or 0438 567 554.

HMAS Leeuwin 35th Intake STEVO Division, 44th Reunion: 23–27 April 2015, Ballina NSW. Wives and partners welcome. Contact Blue Skimmings (Skimmo) 0488 977 312 or bluevicki1@hotmail.com

RAAF Reunion: Anzac Day weekend 2015, Bribie Island. All personnel posted BUT, LAV, RIC, 1SD, 2SD, 7SD, MTU and HQOC between 1967–1980 welcome. Contact Geoff Peepall ocean.slayer139@bigpond.com or Mike Snoxall mike@safetykeysolutions.com.au

HMAS Leeuwin, 4th Intake January 1962 Reunion: 11–15 May 2015, Alexandra Headland, Sunshine Coast Qld. All members of The Fighting 4th, including wives/partners, are welcome to attend a full schedule of activi-ties, including a visit to HMAS Diamantina. Contact Garry (Crewie) Thorburn (02) 6676 3650 or gthorburn@bigpond.com

1st Armoured Regiment Reunion: 22–25 May 2015, Albury. All ex and serving members (regardless of hat/badge) welcome. Contact John Brooker OAM vicepresident@paratus.org.au

6 RAR Assoc 50th Anniversary of the Battalion: 5–6 June 2015. All serving and ex-members are asked to attend. Visit www.6rarassociation.com for further details.

Royal Aust Engineers Tour: 18 June 2015, Gallipoli. To celebrate the ‘Waterloo Dinner’. Contact WO1 Graham Toll graham.toll@defence.gov.au or (02) 8782 3582.

B Coy 2RARNZ Vietnam Veterans 1970/71 Reunion: 14–23 Aug 2015, Sunshine Coast Qld. Contact Keith Carter (07) 5441 2835 or cuddlescarter1@gmail.com

1 Field Squadron Group RAE Reunion: 28–30 Aug 2015, Twin Towns RSL Services Club, Coolangatta. Contact Robin Farrell (07) 4661 7791, 0409 265 470 or info@1fieldsappers.org

24 Construction Squadron Group RAE deploy-ment to Sabah Malaysia 1965 Reunion: Aug/Sept 2015, Brisbane. Contact (Spr) Ian Johnston (08) 9448 5590 ijoh2988@bigpond.net.au or (Spr) Jack Campbell 0400 896 388 jacksapper5@bigpond.com

Commemorating WWI’s Anzac Nursing Sisters – Aegean Voyage: September 2015. One week cruise on MS Serenissima from Athens to Istanbul. Bookings are through Wild Earth Travel in Christchurch, NZ www.wildearth-travel.com/trip/aegean-anzac-nursing-sisters-gallipoli/ or contact Clare Ashton, Hon Research Associate, Sydney Nursing School, Uni of Sydney, clare.ashton@bigpond.com

HMAS Quickmatch 60th Anniversary Recommission-ing: 20–21 Sept 2015. All ex crew members and partners, and all ex Q class members welcome. Contact Bryan Bur-dett (03) 9877 4443 or burdettbryan@yahoo.com

1st ARMD REGT LAD Vietnam 1968–71 Reunion: 16-18 Oct 2015, Halls Gap Big 4 Parkgate Caravan Park. Contact Russell Cunningham bungie12@bigpond.net.au or (03) 5766 2413.

Junior Recruits, Leuwin and Cerberus Reunion: 9–15 Nov 2015, Sydney. Reunion for Colins and Morrow 12th intake at same time. Visit http://tingira.org.au to regis-ter and also select ‘Membership’ to access links for 12th intake site to communicate and find old friends and lost shipmates.

Naval Health Services Reunion: 18–20 March 2016, Hobart Tasmania. Contact Shelley at Hannahk@ bigpond.net.au

133 Sig Sqn Reunion: Looking for all ex-members of 133 Sig Sqn ‘Kingswood’ who would be interested in a reunion. Time and place to be decided. Photos welcome for a display. Contact Kelvin Reunion.133.sig.sqn@ hotmail.com

4/70 Vehicle Mechanic A & B (and Fitters) course held 1970–71 at Bandiana Reunion: date to be confirmed. Anyone interested contact phil.case@bigpond.com or 0439 498 601.

Off the shelf

If you would like your book featured in Off the Shelf, notices must not exceed 150 words in length. You are not required to send a copy of your book or extracts. Photos and book covers will not be featured. Not all notices can be featured due to space. Email vetaffairs@dva.gov.au or post your concisely written notice to GPO Box 9998 Canberra, ACT 2601.

Likeman, Robert: Australian Doctors on the Western Front.This is the third volume in the series “Australian Doctors at War” by Colonel Robert Likeman. The book princi-pally contains mini-biographies of the 400 Australian doctors who served in the AIF on the Western Front from 1916-1918. Breaking new ground, the book also includes the Australian women doctors who engaged in war work overseas, and those Army doctors sent to Samoa in 1918 to help with the influenza epidemic. Many Australian doctors were decorated for saving life under enemy fire, and many were killed while doing so. Some suffered from PTSD on their return, others committed suicide, but the great majority went on to find fulfilment serv-ing communities at home. It is noted that all the medical units in both World Wars were commanded by doctors, and the book poses the question why this is no longer the case in the Australian Army of today. Published by Rosenberg Publishing at $69.95 and available from most bookshops and online at www.rosenbergpub.com.au Contact Dr Robert Likeman robert.likeman@bigpond.com for more information.

Smith, Neil C: Disarming the Menace: Australian Soldiers with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces Japan 1946–1952. Too often, successive governments and historians have been indifferent to the unique and significant

contributions made by individual Australians in the Disarming of Japan after World War Two. This work addresses that deficiency and highlights the extraordi-nary benefits and importance arising from the resultant crucial national and personal relationships with both Japan and the wider international community.Despite assertions that it couldn’t be done, the book also identifies those 20,000 Australian soldiers who served with BCOF in sufficient detail to enable family histori-ans and others to trace persons of interest. Neil thus pays a singular and permanent tribute to the brave members of a force who otherwise would remain nameless. The book is hard cover with photographs, index and appen-dices. RRP $70 including postage. Contact milhis@alphalink.com.au or Box 7020, Brighton, Vic, 3186.

Waples, Ian: “Isis Downs” Station the 1910s A Decade of Development.This publication tells of the development of Isis Downs Station during the 1910s, involving the design and con-struction of a fifty-two stand semi-circular woolshed and the introduction and operation of the Renard road train. Of major concern to the property owners in this dec-ade was the effect of World War I on the management of a very large sheep producing operation. Sometimes employing over one hundred men, forty men from

the property, including part-owner Sir Rupert Clarke, enlisted in World War I and some of their experiences are documented. The property owners also donated 50 horses and £5000 to the war effort. The manager pro-tested vigorously about “losing 50 of our hacks with still nearly six weeks shearing to be done”. Soft cover, 378 pages, $25.00 plus $15.00 P&H. Contact ikwaples@bigpond.com

Waring, Vivian: When Tears Ran Dry. An insight into the Vietnam War, stories of love and human touch.The larrikins and lovable characters throughout When Tears Ran Dry leave you with an insight into the human side of the Vietnam War and invite you to be part of a great love story. The twists and turns will leave you eager to keep turning the page.A thoroughly enjoyable read providing a heartfelt per-spective into the human characters of our Diggers and their families and the lasting effect war has on future generations. Soft cover. 260 pages. $25.00 plus postage. Send your money order/cheque to Vivian Waring, 32/60 Centre Dandenong Rd, Cheltenham Vic. 3192.Contact vivianwaring@yahoo.com.au for postage costs, or order online QBD – Booktopia.

NavySeeking new members to join

Maroochy Waters Sub Sec-tion, Naval Assoc. Meetings held 2nd Sunday each month at RSL House, 106 Memorial Ave, Maroochydore,10am. Contact Sue 0438 911 950 or mdadmin@bigpond.com

I was on the USA Coral Sea visiting Sydney in 1963 where I met and fell in love with DIANE PRENTICE. We were to marry but the military didn’t allow it at the time. I’m now 70 and looking for someone to help me find out what her life has been like. Contact Buddy Rozell, buddyrozell3@gmail.com

Seeking SIG NEVILLE BEN-NION, Torres Strait Signals. I have lost your phone num-ber. Contact Mervyn Nargar (07) 3395 2479.

A relative is seeking W I L L I A M G E O R G E TREVERS BARNES, DOB 9/3/46, Vietnam Veteran, RAN Service No. R62173. Was living at Naval College in Jervis Bay in 1977, based at HMAS Harman in ACT in 1980. Contact Natalia Jermanowska (02) 9504 6788 or natalia.jermanowska@benevolent.org.au

Seeking info on non-ionising radiation from ship’s radar on HMAS Newcastle. Widow and her two very young children lost their 29 year old husband/father to a brain tumour. Hus-band was stationed on the Gun Direction Platform man-ning the 50cal. Any info on Radar specs regarding exposure greatly appreciated. Contact Gary Conquest 0407 336 940 or gconquest@legacybrisbane.org.au

HMAS Australia Veterans’ Assoc will be holding a Com-memoration Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, 11am, Thursday 23 October in mem-ory of those who lost their lives at Leyte Gulf on 21 October 1944 and Lingayen 5–9 January 1945. All welcome.

My late grandfather EUGENE POULTNEY also known as “Jimmy” Poultney served in WWII in the Navy and a few years ago he gave away all of his war photos. He didn’t remember who he gave them to, but had responded to an ad in Vetaffairs. He may have sent them to someone in Ade-laide. My grandfather served on HMAS Nepal which was part of the “N” Class Destroyers. I would just love to organise to get copies of the photos. Con-tact Kirsty, khud25@gmail.com

Seeking information on my grandfather, RAYMOND DAVID CREMER, 1927-1969, aka David Sterle. RAN service 1944-45. He trained in the Navy at HMAS Cerberus and was ships company to HMAS Platy-pus, Bataan and Koala. He was a baritone singer and also worked on TV in ‘Homicide’ and ‘My Name’s McGooley’. Married to Patricia Devlin 1949-56 and Ruby Lacey. Defactos Jan Adele and Rosie Sturgess, partner to Mavis Mackay. David had a daughter Shirley Corish in 1946. Please contact Annette Cremer (02) 9649 4754, 0488 596 173, son Vann 0425 306 436, missannette8@gmail.com or PO Box 81, Auburn NSW 1835.

ArmySeeking Sig. DON BOWEN

last heard of in Melbourne area, and Cpl. NIVILLE POWELL originally from Adelaide. Both served with me in 110 Signal Squadron S.V.N. 1971. Also wondering if there may be a reunion of the Squadron. Con-tact John Wade (02) 6582 3247.

Seeking JAMES RICHARD C H A R L E S E D W A R D S (CHARLIE) WWII Veteran – Trooper no. QX24393, DOB 17/9/20, Surat Qld. His brother Bernard Darcy Edwards would be overjoyed to hear from him or from someone who knows him. Contact Vanessa Edwards (07) 4935 9293 or vanessaedwards6919 @hotmail.com

Seeking MICHAEL JOHN POWELL ex army 1981–94. Mick is my eldest son’s godfa-ther. We lived together over the years and both served in 2 CAV REGT. Contact Peter Sykes 0419 332 180 or peter.sykes10@bigpond.com

Seeking anyone who had a medical condition treated by injecting radium at a military hospital in Herne Bay, Syd-ney near Riverwood. Hospital may have been the former US Army Services 118th General Hospital, which moved in Octo-ber 1944. The treating doctor, Dr Christensen, offered some patients a medical pension at the time. Contact Paul Longley longleyp@hotmail.com or 34 Jackie Howe Crescent, Macar-thur ACT 2904.

Seeking ALAN NATION, Medic Corp WWII, from SA. Contact Linda Robertson (08) 9535 5063.

Seeking ERNEST EDWARD (MICK) POPE, WO1 RAAOC. Last known address was Ingle-burn. Contact Mick Cooper 0477 887 726 or (02) 6024 6529.

Seeking information on CPL B J (SNOWY) McCONNEN, R A Sigs. He trained at School of Signals, Balcombe in 1955/56. Served in Britcom Base Sig Regt 1956 and CCK Sig Sqn 1956/57. On RTA was posted to Tas Command InterComm Troop. I believe he passed away in Tasmania, early 1958. Con-tact Ian Miller (07) 3355 1177 or ian1497@yahoo.com.au

Seeking information, espe-cially service number, on my father DONALD ERNEST BROWNE, Company Ser-geant Major, DOB 12 July 1904, DOD 1947. Served in Burma WWII with the British Overseas Army. He was with a contingent of Australians and Ghurkhas. Contact Peter Browne peterbrowne@dodo.com.au

Ordinary membership of 2RAR Assoc is open to all serv-ing and ex-serving members of 2RAR and 2/4RAR. Our objec-tive is to perpetuate the close bonds of mateship and esprit de corps and to preserve and con-tinue the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacri-fice. Contact Gordon Hurford (07) 5443 5583 or 2rarsecretary@gmail.com

6 RAR Assoc will be hold-ing a Formation Re-Enactment on 6 June 2015 to celebrate the 50th Birthday of the Bn. We are looking for all members who attended the Formation of the Bn on 6 June 1965. Con- tact Les (Shorty) Turner leslieturner1@bigpond.com

Air ForceSeeking CHRIS DENT,

ex GCA Controlling Officer, may have retired with rank of WGCDR and may have been promoted to GPCAPT at Russell Offices, Cbr before his retire-ment. We passed out through RAAF Base Radio School, Bal-larat, Vic. Contact Doug Dowe 0418 330 619.

Seeking information on a MK. IV Hudson bomber A16-104 that crashed on take off at 72 Operational Base Unit in Albany WA at 06:05 hrs on 19/1/42. I believe I have found a small amount of wreckage and I would like to verify the site of where the aircraft came to rest. The crew members were F/Lt. C GOODE, P/O J BAKER, Sgt. J H SHEPPARD and Sgt. F E CHIDLOW. Contact Barry Horne (08) 9842 9546 or barryhorne@tpg.com.au

Seeking information on W/O PAUL TAYLOR after demob from RAAF in 1945 (NSW). Ser-vice in UK as WOP in 622 Sqn Bomber Command. Contact Reg Heffron (08) 8338 6183.

The Catal ina Fly ing Memorial Ltd, a not for profit organisation, is seeking donations to help restore an original Catalina aircraft to its original WWII configuration and airworthiness. VH-CAT will return to its original base at Rathmines in full war livery and will be a flying memorial for all Australians and at the same time being a volunteer for the Marine Rescue Organisations. Contact Philip Dulhunty (02) 9870 7277 or philip@dulhunty.com

Air Force Assoc, Ballina Branch is seeking new or past members. Serving and ex-Air Force personnel are welcome to join our social and charitable group. Renew the mateship enjoyed in service or find new friends. We get together twice monthly for a meeting and a social outing or lunch. Interested? Contact Dick 0414 618 793 or 2rcwills@gmail.com

Seeking original photos of my second cousin FLT SGT GEORGE STEWART HOTCHKIS – DOB 26/2/18 and DOD 27/9/43. He served in the RAAF with the 149 Sqn (East India). Contact Stephen Hotch-kis, 8 Edgewater Dr, Nambucca Heads NSW 2448.

Tewantin Noosa RAAF Assoc welcomes members, previous members and their spouses, parents, siblings, children of Her Majesty’s Air Forces, Auxil-iary Air Forces, Royal Naval Air Service, Nursing and Medical Services. If you are interested in joining us for meetings and lunches, contact our President, Patrick (07) 5448 1457.

Seeking Air Force Veterans participating in the 1940 Battle of Narvik, April–8 June and Battle of Britain, Aug–Sept 2015 to take part in the Commemorative Anniversary either in Norway or London, or both in 2015. Contact Harry Carter (vet of both Battles) (02) 4447 2173 or 155 Marina Lane, Culburra Beach NSW 2540.

Seeking those who knew F/LT PAUL BRICKHILL or have relevant writings or pho-tographs. Reminiscences and access to such materials are requested to assist with the biography of this Australian author who penned the 1950s bestsellers The Great Escape, The Dam Busters and Reach for the Sky. Contact Bob Good (07) 4696 8620 or goodone8@bigpond.net.au

MiscellaneousWWI memorabilia urgently

required for 2015 display. Con-tact Kandos Returned Services Community Club (02) 6379 6591 or Larry O’Connor, Secretary (02) 6379 4613.

Seeking new members and associates for Qld Branch, TPI Federation to enjoy the camara-derie of social centres and gain full entitlements. Phone (07) 3040 3330 or www.qldtpi.org.au

The Beaudesert RSL Sub Branch is keen to recruit new and serving members to ensure that future RSL outcomes are more relevant to present and future veterans. Members with a little more time and ambition are also encouraged to join the local management group. This is a wonderful opportunity to share some of your talents and skills with the Veteran and local community. Contact David J Ardrey OAM (07) 5541 3720 or subbranch1@bigpond.com

Seeking contact with the 176 ‘submitters’ to the 2nd phase of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal ‘Valour Inquiry’. Contact Ian Reid (07) 3393 3806 or ctjreid@ hotmail.com

The Continence Foundation of Australia is the peak national organisation working to improve the quality of life of all Australians affected by inconti-nence. The National Continence Helpline 1800 33 00 66 is staffed by continence nurse advisors who provide advice, referrals and resources to consumers and health professionals. For more information, visit www.continence.org.au

I served in Vietnam 1967/68 with C Squadron,1st Arm’d Reg’t. On expiration of our service we were each given an ashtray made from a tank shell. Mine disappeared and I would like to find it. The ashtray has the following inscription – 1732487 Pte G P Ongheen C Sqn,1st Armd Regt Nui Dat, Sth Vietnam 1967/68. Contact garth.p1@bigpond.com

Free advocacy service for all indigenous and non-indigenous serving and ex-serving men and women. Our advocates are TIP trained and we care and listen. We have approx 20 members. Contact Gary 0435 867 097, (03) 8679 0777, 14 Gibbs St, Colling-wood Vic 3066.

Seeking support to erect a sign on the Exit 45 South bridge on the road from Brisbane to the Gold Coast to note the war memorial statue at Pimpama. New road works have meant that the statue is now not seen from the highway. Visit the Facebook page ‘Salute the digger’ to show your support.

Submissions can be sent to:The Editor, Vetaffairs

GPO Box 9998Canberra ACT 2601Fax: (02) 6289 6025

Email: vetaffairs@dva.gov.au

Please note that Vetaffairs is published on the internet. This

includes all personal details submitted to this column. Due to space constraints,

not all notices can be published. Notices may be edited

for readability.

16 — Vetaffairs Spring 2014