Like to receive DVA’s fortnightly e-newsletter? Sign up at https://dva.infoservices.com.au/subscribe or enews@dva.gov.au. To reach Vetaffairs, please email vetaffairs@dva.gov.au.

Students have their say on Department Any mental health condition covered now under NLHCAs announced in the 2017–18 Budget, current and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) are now able to access treatment for any mental health condition through DVA’s Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC) treatment arrangements. There is no need to prove the condi-tion is related to their service.

NLHC does not depend on lodging a compensation claim and is open to all current and former members of the ADF who have rendered at least one day of permanent or continuous full-time service. A formal diagnosis is not required to seek treatment under NLHC.

NLHC treatment is accessed through a DVA White Card and may include services provided by a general practitioner, medical specialist, psy-chologist, social worker, occupational therapist, psychiatrist, hospital ser-vices or specialist PTSD program. You can also access counselling services through the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service.

If you have already been issued a White Card under NLHC for the treat-ment of a mental health condition, you can use the same card to access NLHC for any other mental health condition without re-contacting DVA. DVA encourages anyone with a mental health condition who was denied treatment because their men-tal health condition was not covered before 1 July 2017 to reapply for cover.

To make an application, email NLHC@dva.gov.au or call DVA on 1800 555 254. If preferred, a claim form is also available at www.dva.gov.au/nlhc.

MyService fast-tracks client claims

Tertiary students who access the student assistance program through DVA shared their ideas for reform during a collabora-tive design forum in Brisbane in August.

All of the students who attended the workshop were excited to have the opportunity to provide feedback about how DVA could improve services.

The students said the support they receive has made a huge dif-ference to their lives, with one saying, ‘The help I have received has helped me achieve my dreams.’

Other students said that for them, DVA’s student assistance program demonstrated an appre-ciation of, and gratitude for, their family’s sacrifice.

‘My Dad feels that I am being looked after due to his sacrifices,’ one student said.

Heather MacDonald, Director of DVA’s collaborative design capability, said the students, like other stakeholders with whom the Department was engaging through its collaborative design process, were in an excellent position to identify what DVA could do to improve the client experience.

‘The transformation of DVA is being developed in partnership

with the very people that use the services,’ Ms MacDonald said.

‘Often it is the end user who has the solution.’

During the forum, the young DVA clients reflected on the importance of building a net-work with other students accessing this assistance program.

‘It’s easiest to solve the issue of isolation through finding other people in the exact same circumstances you are. Provid-ing a Facebook group would

instantly improve things,’ one suggested.

For many of the attendees, this workshop was the first time they had met other stu-dents in similar circumstances to their own.

They also suggested DVA develop an interactive app. In a light-hearted moment some students said they wanted to name this app ‘Gary’ after a DVA staff member who had been particularly helpful to them.

The young forum attend-ees also talked about some of the difficulties they had faced accessing information about available assistance on DVA’s website.

‘The website isn’t great; it’s really hard to find informa-tion,’ one student said.

‘There’s so much going on on the site and it’s so con-tent heavy. We need a more user-friendly site so that the information we need is just much easier to get to.’

Ms MacDonald noted that feedback such as this would be taken into account as the Department undertook a review of its website as part of the current program of Veteran Centric Reform.For more on DVA’s collabora-tive design program and on the transformation of the Department’s systems and processes, please turn to pages 9 through 12.

T R A N S F O R M I N G D V A

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ new trial web application, MyService, has reduced processing times for claims to an average of 28 days, with some claims assessed in as little as two days.

The MyService application makes it simple, clear and fast for clients to submit a claim, which means eligible clients can access services and support sooner than would be possible using existing, paper-based claims methods. DVA currently takes an average of 117 days to assess paper-based claims.

While only serving and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members who enlisted after 30 June 2004 can currently use MyService, DVA will open the trial web application to more vet-erans and current ADF members in coming months.

MyService is smartphone opti-mised and features three to five questions compared to 36 on DVA’s paper-based claims form.

The application allows users to verify their identity online rather than through the time-consum-ing paper process. This facilitates basic data exchange with Defence that enables automatic pre-quali-fication for some conditions.

Eligible clients can claim via MyService for conditions related to their ADF service and for any mental health conditions,

whether they relate to service or not. For most conditions, they will need details of their diag-nosis to make a claim, but for mental health conditions, users can make a claim for treatment without a diagnosis.

The MyService application allows users to upload docu-ments related to their diagnoses and other aspects of their claim and to save their claim partway through the process and com-plete it later.

To register for MyService, users need their PMKeyS number, enlistment date, driver’s licence or Medicare Card.

The MyService team encour-ages readers who enlisted after 30 June 2004 to register for MyService and provide feedback on the platform to guide future development and ensure contin-ual improvements to the claims experience.

To give MyService a try, visit dva.gov.au/myservice and register today.

Vol. 34 No. 3 SPRING 2017 ISSN 0819-8934

PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 4 PAGE 5

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT INVICTUS GAMES SUICIDE PREVENTION VETERANS’ HEALTH WEEK

Vetaffairs is published by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs as a free newspaper for Australia’s veteran community.Editor Charlotte Harperemail vetaffairs@dva.gov.aumail GPO Box 9998 Brisbane,QLD 4001

Follow DVA on Facebook DVA Aus and Twitter @DVAAus.Browse DVA on YouTube DVAAus Channel and Flickr flickr.com/photos/dvaaus photostream. Follow the links on the DVA website: www.dva.gov.auIf you have an enquiry for DVAemail generalenquiries@dva.gov.auphone freecall 1800 555 254

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

BUDGETThe implementation of the 2017-18 Budget outcomes is now underway. In response to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Report and National Mental Health Com-mission (NMHC) Report, the Budget provided for a num-ber of initiatives including the extension of free treatment for all mental health conditions to all current and former members of the ADF who have rendered at least one day of continuous full-time service. There was also an expansion of services provided by the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS). I encourage you to look at all of the Budget measures and if you know a veteran who may be struggling and requires support, please encourage them to contact VVCS.

The Budget also delivered the first year of funding to imple-ment Veteran Centric Reform. The Department is engaging veteran families and stakehold-ers to assist with the design of

our future business model.

FOREIGN ENGAGEMENTOur Chief Operating Officer, Liz Cosson, accompanied our Minister, the Hon. Dan Tehan MP, to the International Min-isterial (5-Eyes) Conference on Veteran Issues in London on 17 July. The Conference involved small ministerial dele-gations from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and the UK. This conference provided the opportunity for us to share best practice approaches to dealing with issues facing vet-erans, such as mental health and transition.

COMMEMORATIONSAnzac Centenary commemora-tions are proceeding apace, and the next few months contain some significant Australian mil-itary-historical milestones. The 75th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein (23 October) and the 100th anniversaries of the Battle of Polygon Wood (26 Septem-ber) and the Battle of Beersheba (31 October) will soon be upon us. I am pleased with the plan-ning and development of these and recent commemorative events such as the 75th anni-versary of the Battle of Milne

Bay (25 August) and the 70th anniversary of Australian Peace-keepers and Peacemakers (14 September).

The construction of the Sir John Monash Centre at Villers-Bretonneux is also proceeding smoothly. The roof has now been poured, and new ground maintenance facilities are being constructed at the front of the site. When this project is com-plete, it will be an appropriate and meaningful tribute to the lives and sacrifice of the many thousands of Australians who journeyed to fight in France dur-ing the First World War, and will be an important addition to the Australian Remembrance Trail.

More information about these events can be found on DVA’s website (www.dva.gov.au).

Finally, I would like to welcome two new Deputy Com-missioners to DVA: Meghan Bailey commenced in her new role in the Northern Territory on 17 July, while Luke Brown has now settled into the Deputy Commissioner – Tasmania role. I would like to thank Lance John-son (NT) and Jan Hyde (TAS) for their prior work in these roles.

NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENTSimon Lewis, PSMSecretary Department of Veterans’ Affairs

War in the PacificIt is unfortunate that the Austral-ian people are largely ignorant of the Pacific War insofar as it affected Australia. I am drawing this to your attention because of continued references in the Australian media to military operations in foreign countries – in the case of the Coral Sea Bat-tle, one which is seen as ‘the one which saved Australia’.

As a result of the Coral Sea Bat-tle, Japan was unable to secure Guadalcanal island as a base from which to control South East Asia and isolate Australia from the US. Guadalcanal was seen as their first loss in the Second World War .

It wasn’t. The Battle of Milne Bay between Japanese and Aus-tralian forces in September 1942 led to Japan aborting its contin-ued advance on Port Moresby. It was the first time the Japanese were defeated on land in Second World War.

Shortly beforehand, the Japa-nese sent a convoy of troopships from their headquarters in Rabaul as reinforcements to the north coast of New Guinea. This

2 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

LETTERSEDITORTO THE

large convoy was intercepted by and destroyed by Austral-ian aircraft from bases in New Guinea in the Bismarck Sea.

To do justice to the effort of Australian military in the Pacific War, and to give Aus-tralians reason to know and be proud of defending their own country, I urge you to take part in developing Aus-tralians’ knowledge of their own history.

Neville Rutledge

Note from the editorThank you for your letter and reminder of the achievements of Australian servicemen and women during the War in the Pacific.

DVA produces a range of edu-cational resources to support classroom teaching of Australia’s wartime history including mate-rials relating to the incidents you describe here.

DVA has recently revamped its Anzac Portal to highlight and make accessible a number of his-tory publications, war history websites, digital materials and veteran interviews to provide students, teachers and the wider community with a greater under-standing of Australia’s wartime experiences, both on the frontline and on the home front.

The Anzac Portal is at http://anzacportal.dva.gov.au

Vetaffairs welcomes letters to the editor. All letters should carry the sender’s full name, address and con-tact telephone number. Letters should be no more than 200 words and may be edited. Unfortunately, due to space constraints, not all letters can be published, however, a representative selection will be featured. Letters should be sent to:

vetaffairs@dva.gov.auorGPO Box 9998 Brisbane QLD 4001

Vetaffairs publishes letters in good faith and takes no responsi-bility for the accuracy of statements made in them. The editor does not reply personally to letters to the editor.

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

Phone 1300 555 785Do you have a general enquiry for DVA?

Email generalenquiries@dva.gov.au Phone freecall 1800 555 254

FIND US ONLINEReading Vetaffairs online is a great way to get access to each issue the moment it’s published, as well as browsing previous issues.

Our Realview format makes it even easier to read Vetaffairs. Its zoom feature is particularly useful for people with vision impairment.

Simply visit www.dva.gov.au/vetaffairs

Vetaffairs remindersYou can email vetaffairs@dva.gov.au and ask to be notified by email when the next issue has been published and is available for online viewing.

Vetaffairs for the vision-impaired Apart from viewing Vetaffairs online, vision-impaired people can listen to an audio recording of each issue on CD. Just email us that you wish to receive a CD instead of a hard copy and we will add you to our mailing list.

NoticeboardA more extensive version of the Noticeboard at the back of Vetaffairs is online. Please go to www.dva.gov.au/Vetaffairs/noticeboard to view all notices, and to submit an item.

e-newsFor regular news from the department, why not subscribe to our e-newsletter. Just go to https://dva.infoservices.com.au/subscribe and type in your email address.

3 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

F I R S T A N N U A L M I N I S T E R I A L S TAT E M E N T O N V E T E R A N S A N D T H E I R FA M I L I E S

On 14 August 2017, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, presented to the Parliament the first annual Ministerial Statement on Veterans and Their Families, an extract from which appears here. The full statement is available on the Minister’s website (minister.dva.gov.au).

The Hon. Dan Tehan MPMinister for Veterans’ Affairs

Minister for Defence Personnel

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC

In these centenary years of Anzac, we best honour the Diggers of the First World War by supporting the servicemen

and women, the veterans and the families of today.

For the men and women who serve or have served our nation; for their husbands, wives, and children; for their mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers – this Ministerial Statement is for you.

A key focus of this Government is on how these men and women transition out of the ADF.

In the last 12 months, over 1,400 members of the ADF separated for reasons not of their choos-ing. How we help these men and women and provide for their tran-sition is integral to ensuring that none of them fall through the gap between Defence and civilian life. This task begins in the Depart-ment of Defence and continues with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Currently, DVA supports about 291,000 Australians. Just over half of these people are veterans or currently serving members of the ADF. Around 48 percent are women. Around 82,000 are wid-ows or widowers and around 2,500 are children of veterans.

Today, more than 203,000 of DVA’s clients are 65 years or over while about 23,000 are under the age of 40. Our veterans are repre-sentative of every aspect of service and from every walk of life.

It is why, in the last 12 months, the Government has held the first Female Veterans Forum and the first Veterans’ Families Forum. It is why we have held the first meet-ing of State and Territory veterans ministers, to provide input on how we can work together across all levels of government on issues such as veteran homelessness.

Australians should be proud that we recognise the importance of service and remain one of the only countries with an inde-pendent Department to serve our veterans. The Government is committed to maintaining a stand-alone Department for our veterans.

This year, DVA will provide over $11 billion in payments and services. That includes pensions, income support, compensa-tion, healthcare, rehabilitation, counselling services, transport, transition assistance, home care, housing, commemorations, edu-cation and grants funding.

Around $6.2 billion, or 54 per-cent of DVA’s budget, will be spent on providing veterans and their families with income support and compensation.

Around $5 billion, 44 percent of the Department’s budget, will be spent on meeting the health-care needs of veterans and their families.

Around 0.8 percent of the budget will be spent on commemorations and maintaining memorials and headstones.

The Department employs around 2,000 staff and in a typical working week, DVA will process about 95 compensation or income support forms every hour, receive two letters or emails every minute, and take a phone call every couple of seconds.

DVA works hard to provide quick and strong support for vet-erans and their families. But it is not perfect. People make mistakes. The Department will not always get it right.

In this first Ministerial State-ment on Veterans and Their Families, I also want to reflect on what we need to do better.

Some in the veteran community have found the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to be adversarial, slow or bureaucratic.

In the Department’s satisfaction survey, we have seen a distinct decline in overall satisfaction from 93 percent in 2010 to 83 per-cent in 2016. While this number is still high, it represents where the Department could have served veterans better.

At the Veterans’ Review Board there were over 2,900 deci-sions made in 2015/16. Of these, nearly half were made to change or reverse the decision of the Department.

We know that getting decisions right the first time can make an enormous difference to veterans. We are working to reduce the number of cases that go to admin-istrative review.

Recently, we have implemented a trial of Alternative Dispute Reso-lution for veterans who choose to appeal a decision with the Vet-erans’ Review Board. As a result, cases that may have taken up to a year to resolve have been resolved in as little as three months. We are now rolling this out nationwide.

The Department is working on ways to leverage technology to deliver better services and cut

paperwork. For example, some claims that used to take 117 days to process now only take 60 days. These trials are promising and the Department is looking at how we can implement them across the system.

We have made the first seri-ous investment in years into the Department – $166.6 mil-lion towards making DVA a 21st century Department with a 21st century service culture. This includes a significant investment in upgrading DVA’s computer sys-tems and processes.

One of the most important services we provide is mental health support. The Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs spend more than $244 million a year on providing

mental health support and treat-ment to current and former ADF members. This includes services provided by GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and hospitals as well as pharmaceuti-cals and online information and support tools.

It also includes access to the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS), which is at the frontline of the Govern-ment’s veteran mental health support response and has been for more than 35 years. This service is part of the strong legacy of our Vietnam veterans, whose experi-ence has informed how we care for modern veterans.

We know the burden of mental health conditions can also fall on families of veterans.

Over two years the Government has expanded VVCS to include as many families as possible. The recent Budget has provided $8.5 million to continue to expand eli-gibility for VVCS.

In March, the Government allo-cated $2.1 million over two years to the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation to deliver age-appro-priate mental health education to the children of veterans with a mental health condition.

For many years, Governments only provided mental health sup-port when a veteran was able to

prove their condition was caused by their service. Last year, the Turnbull Government decided that Australia should provide its veterans with free and immediate mental health treatment.

Under the scheme, any veteran who had served one day in the full-time ADF would be given full cover for five of the most common mental health conditions: post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse, and substance abuse.

For the first time, an eligible vet-eran with one of these conditions didn’t have to prove it was caused by service.

In this year’s budget, we have cov-ered all mental health conditions. From now on any veteran of the full-time ADF will get free and immediate mental health cover. This program of non-liability mental healthcare is fully funded and completely uncapped – if there is a need it will be met.

This common-sense approach to mental health support is the biggest change in veterans’ policy in decades and we must continue to build on it.

As all Australians know, one sui-cide is one too many. Suicide affects all areas of our community – eight Australians a day take their own life. Our veterans and members of the ADF are sadly not immune. We are determined to address suicide in our community.

Last year the Government com-missioned the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to provide the first accurate, robust data ever pro-duced on suicide among the serving and ex-serving populations.

This study was independent of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and

the research is providing a greater understanding on where and how to help those who are struggling.

The Government also asked the National Mental Health Commission to review the suicide prevention ser-vices offered by Defence and DVA.

As part of this, the Government is investing $9.8 million to pilot new approaches to suicide prevention and improve care and support avail-able to veterans.

As I have said, we must do better at the transition process.

An important component of this is the Early Engagement Model. The aim of the Early Engagement Model is that when a serving or former ADF member needs DVA in the future, they will already be registered with the Department. This will reduce claims processing times.

Another reform that will improve our processes will be to allow Defence, the Department of Veter-ans’ Affairs and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation to share medical information on a veteran in order to save them from having to undergo up to three sepa-rate medical assessments.

Additionally, this Government took to the last election a commit-ment to ‘No Discharge Without Documentation’. This initiative will ensure all separating members of the ADF leave with the necessary docu-ments to make the transition phase

more seamless. This includes their medical and training records.

This ongoing work is led by a Tran-sition Taskforce that was established after the last election.

Veterans need to be able to walk into civilian life with confidence and dignity. This Government is commit-ted to making that happen through the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Initiative.

As the Prime Minister has said, this is not about charity. We are not asking businesses to engage in some sort of philanthropic exercise. We want to remind business lead-ers that the servicemen and women of Australia have unique skills and extraordinary experience.

As a Government we commit today to the following:1. A stand-alone Department of

Veterans’ Affairs;2. A Department that focuses on

the needs of the veteran first; and

3. A stronger voice for the veterans’ community.

It is imperative that Australia con-tinues to provide veterans with their own Department. It is the best way that their service and unique needs will be recognised and provided for.

In any effort to provide support, we should also look to how we can provide payments faster. This year’s Budget has provided for a pilot to provide rehabilitation to veterans as soon as they have submitted their claims rather than after approval. If this leads to better outcomes, Parlia-

ment should look to developing this model over time across the veteran entitlement system.

Equally, we need to ensure that when the veteran community speaks, it does so with one voice. My challenge to the veteran community is for them to respond to this state-ment each year with a single voice so that we can better serve all veterans.

In other countries, veterans’ organisations have united together into a national confederation or asso-ciation, with the varied and differing needs of each group within the com-munity putting forward their needs through a single body. I believe it is time that veterans’ organisations create a similar body in Australia.

If veterans can form this body and provide a response to this statement with one voice, I will ensure their response is tabled in Parliament annually.

As a Parliament it is our duty to watch over the care we provide our veterans. To ensure these men and women are provided for and that future generations understand their sacrifice. This Ministerial Statement on Veterans and Their Families is an important part of that duty. It will be the touchstone of how we mark our service to them each year.

Australians should be proud that we recognise the importance of service and remain one of the only countries with an independent Department to serve our veterans.

4 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

REPORTS DRIVE SUICIDE PREVENTION AGENDA

Call-out for Sydney Invictus Games as athletes compete in Toronto ’17

BNT participants andBCOF members now Gold Card-entitledFrom 1 July this year, Austral-ian participants in the British Nuclear Tests in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s (BNT partici-pants) and Australian members of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF mem-bers) have been entitled to a Gold Card.

The Gold Card provides the holder with medical treatment for any condition under DVA arrangements.

BNT participants include former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, Com-monwealth employees and contractors who provided ser-vices and support to the nuclear test program and civilians who may not have been involved in the nuclear test program but entered a nuclear test area.

BCOF members include ADF members who served with the British Commonwealth Occupa-tion Force in Japan between the end of the Second World War and the disbandment of the BCOF on 28 April 1952.

Anyone who believes they may be eligible for the Gold Card is encouraged to contact DVA. More information and a claim form are also available on DVA’s website www.dva.gov.au.

Engage website a one-stop shop for support, services

For more detail on the AIHW report, please turn to page 6.

To access the Senate Reference Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade report into suicide by veterans and ex-service personnel visit http://bit.ly/2enrZaF

To read the AIHW Incidence of suicide among serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel 2001–2015: in brief summary report, visit www.aihw.gov.auThe Government response to the NMHC Review is online at www.dva.gov.au/nmhcreview

Feeling inspired by the perfor-mances of Australian athletes competing in this month’s Invictus Games in Canada? Nominations for the 2018 Aus-tralian Invictus Games team are open until 31 October 2017.

Forty-three current and for-mer military personnel were selected to represent Australia at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto from 23 to 30 Sep-tember 2017. The team is co-captained by Captain Emma Kadziolka and Sergeant Peter Rudland (pictured right).

Captain Kadziolka joined the Army in 2013 as a Nursing Officer and served in Iraq in 2015. Recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, she will compete in athletics and indoor rowing.

‘I wanted to be a part of the Invictus Games team to help me stay focused on maintain-ing a healthy mind and body,’ she said.

‘Working towards a competi-tive goal will assist in building resilience to enable me to deal

with the eventual health impacts of my diagnosis.’

Sergeant Rudland joined the Army in 1989 and will discharge later this year. He served in Cam-bodia in 1993, East Timor in 2001 and 2006, Iraq in 1997 and 2003 and Afghanistan in 2010.

The cyclist and wheelchair rugby competitor suffered serious injuries to his legs, pelvis, arms, back, shoulders, face and brain in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2010.

Sergeant Rudland said sport had played an important role in his rehabilitation.

‘It gives me something to work towards and reminds me that no matter how bad things get, there is always somebody worse off,’ he said.

More than 550 athletes from up to 17 nations are expected to compete in sports includ-ing swimming, archery, cycling, track and field, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair tennis, power-lifting, golf and indoor rowing.

The Invictus Games is an initiative of Prince Harry and is an adaptive sport event for wounded, injured and ill ser-vicemen and women, both active duty and veteran. The Games use the power of sport to motivate recovery, support reha-bilitation and generate a wider understanding of the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve their country.

The Sydney Games will take place from 20 to 27 October 2018 across Greater Sydney, including Sydney Olympic Park and on and around Sydney Harbour.

Nomination forms for the Sydney Invictus Games are available at www.defence.gov.au/events/invictusgames and must be submitted via email by 31 October.

For more information on the Sydney Games, visit www.invic-tusgames2018.org or facebook.com/InvictusSydney.

To follow the Australian team’s efforts in Toronto, visit facebook.com/team.invictus.australia.

Vice Chief of the Defence Force Vice Admiral Ray Griggs at the launch of the Engage website.

The Department of Defence has launched a new website for cur-rent and former ADF members called Engage ‘Supporting those who serve’. Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the Hon Dan Tehan MP launched the site on 11 August 2017.

Previously, members and for-mer members, their families and those involved in their sup-port had to navigate a broad range of websites in search of

information, support and ser-vices provided by Government agencies, non-for-profit service providers and charities.

The website aims to simplify the process of finding informa-tion and accessing free support and services for current and former ADF members, their fam-ilies and those involved in their support.

It provides a common entry point that is accessible via a range of mobile devices and

connects users to free support and services from a range of Gov-ernment agencies, not-for-profit service providers, charities and other service providers who have registered their services on the Engage website.

The Engage website is a Defence initiative under the Support for Wounded, Injured and Ill Program, a joint Defence and DVA program of work aimed at improving the support provided to wounded, injured or ill ADF

members, their families and those involved in their support.

Engage is funded under the 2016 Defence White Paper as part of Phase Three of the Support for Wounded, Injured and Ill Program.

The website is hosted by Defence with the data maintained by par-ticipating service providers who are registered on the site. Find it at https://engage.forcenet.gov.au.

A series of recent reports on suicide among veterans are helping DVA target its suicide prevention efforts to those most at risk.

On 15 August 2017, the Senate Reference Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade released a report into suicide by veterans and ex-service personnel. The Australian Government is carefully considering the inquiry report and is expected to respond later this year.

It followed the release on 30 June 2017 of two other reports relating to veteran suicide: • the Australian Institute of

Health and Welfare (AIHW) second tranche of suicide prev-alence results; and

• the Government Response to the National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) Review into the suicide prevention services provided to current

and ex-serving ADF members and their families.In issuing the latter, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Force Personnel Dan Tehan said suicide prevention and support to those families who had been affected by the tragedy of suicide was a high priority for the Government.

‘We are transforming the way we deliver mental health care and sup-port to our veterans but as a society we must be clear: one suicide is one too many,’ Mr Tehan said.

‘The Australian Government is working to address these issues, notably through an additional $58.6 million in mental health funding in this year’s Budget and a $166.6 million commitment to improve systems and processes within the Department of Veter-ans’ Affairs.’

This mental health investment includes $9.8 million to pilot two suicide prevention initiatives, one targeting former ADF members with severe and complex mental

health needs discharging from hospital and another targeting those with chronic but stable men-tal and physical health issues.

The Budget also funded a $33.5 million expansion of the Non-Liability Health Care program to cover all mental health condi-tions. This means that anyone who has served at least one day in the full-time ADF can access free treatment for any mental health condition.

As part of its response to the NMHC Review, the Government has committed to: improving the transition process for ADF mem-bers moving into post-service civilian life; improving family sup-port through engagement with families and family-sensitive practice; and transforming DVA’s systems, processes and organisa-tional culture to better respond to the needs of Australia’s veterans and their families.

If you or someone you know is in need of crisis or suicide prevention support, please contact the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service on 1800 011 046, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 (all are available 24 hours a day).

For immediate emergency assistance, please call Triple Zero (000).

Contact your GP or a mental health professional to discuss longer term support options.

5 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

A WORD FROM THE PRINCIPAL MEDICAL ADVISER

Prevent dry mouth from ruining your teeth

Over the last few months, a few veterans have written to me regarding significant dental problems they’ve

encountered partly as a consequence of reduced saliva production, which is a side effect of many medications, espe-cially those prescribed for some mental health conditions.

There are more than 400 medica-tions known to cause dry mouth as one of their side effects. Medications that commonly cause dry mouth are antidepressants, antihistamines, decongestants, certain high blood pressure medications, some sedatives and pain medications and antacids.

Saliva is necessary to moisten and clean our mouths and gums and to help in the first part of the food diges-tion process. Saliva also neutralises and removes the acids that occur in the mouth as a result of diet and helps to keep in balance the normal bacteria and fungi in our mouths. Once this sys-tem is disturbed, then mouth, tongue and gum infections and dental caries (holes in the teeth) can arise.

There are many causes of dry mouth, including: side effects of medications; certain diseases and conditions; effects of surgery or radiation treatment to the salivary glands; dehydration; snoring; excessive mouth-breathing; and ciga-rette smoking.

If you’ve recently developed an annoying dry mouth, check with your doctor as to whether this could be a side effect of your prescribed or over-the-counter medications. It may be as simple as adjusting the dose to reduce the unwanted side effects.

However, if this does not solve the problem, you should definitely consult your dentist. He or she will be able to ensure that your teeth, gums and mouth are healthy, arrange any necessary cleaning and protective treatments such as fluoride, and, if necessary, prescribe special dental medications that will keep the mouth moist.

It is critical to the successful management of a dry mouth condition to know there are many simple things you can do to improve the health of your mouth. These include: under-standing that diet is the principal cause of decay and particularly avoiding snacks of sug-ary or acidic foods and drinks between meals (snacks that are sweet or acidic, including fruit, can cause significant tooth damage); drinking plenty of water; chewing on sugar-free gum, which helps to stimulate production of saliva;

PROF. IAN R GARDNERPrincipal Medical Adviser

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Protecting yourselves and your grandchildren through vaccinationMany older veterans are concerned that they may be inadvertently exposing their grandchildren to risk of serious infectious disease, especially young babies in the first few weeks or months of their lives.

Young babies are at increased risk of many infectious diseases (prior to being able to receive their own immunisations), and it is common sense to make sure that your vaccinations are up to date prior to visiting newborn grandchildren. This will protect both you and the new babies.

As we age, our natural immunity levels decrease quite remarkably, and the previ-ous protection provided by vaccination will decline. This can be offset by ensur-ing that our vaccinations are up to date. If you haven’t had a ‘booster’ for many years, then ask your doctor whether a booster dose is needed.

In ‘the olden days’, it was often advised that booster doses needed to be repeated every ten years. This is no longer true, but certainly some protection afforded by pre-viously completed immunisation courses will decline with age.

Certain vaccinations are provided free to older persons by the Australian Gov-ernment either through the National Immunisation Program or on the

Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

However, not all recommended vaccina-tions are available on the ‘free to the client’ list. Many are strictly based on defined age groups, and some are only available free as a ‘one-time’ vaccination. This is a very complex area. Check with your general prac-titioner or pharmacist to determine which vaccinations you may be eligible for.

The vaccinations that veterans and older people generally should consider include:• Seasonal influenza – annually for any-

one over the age of 65. This will help protect against influenza, but has no pro-tective effect against common coughs and colds, often incorrectly called ‘the flu’. Real influenza is a serious disease with very high rates of hospitalisation and deaths, especially in older persons. More than 3000 people aged over 50 die in Australia from influenza every year and another 13,500 are hospitalised.

• Pneumococcal disease vaccine (23vPPV) – single one time dose. Pneumonia is also a very serious disease in older peo-ple, with high death rates, especially in those with other significant health conditions and a weakened immune system.

• Shingles (Zostavax) – recommended for all people aged over 60. Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the chick-enpox virus that has lain dormant in our bodies for a long time. Shingles can cause severe pain and blistering, includ-ing on the face and eye. Prevention is better than cure!

• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (dTpa) – not currently funded by the Government for adults, but a booster dose at age 50 is recommended. Although tetanus is uncommon in Aus-tralia today, diphtheria and especially pertussis (whooping cough) are increas-ingly common. Whooping cough is a very serious and distressing condition in young babies/children.

• Possibly hepatitis A and B (Twinrix) – also not funded – but recommended if you are planning to travel overseas, where risks of food-borne and blood-borne infections are higher.

Vaccines are less effective in older people – but they still work !

Excellent web addresses for more infor-mation include www.immunise.health.gov.au and www.nationalseniors.com.au.

JOIN US AT VETERANS’ HEALTH WEEK 2017

Some excellent additional free web-based references include:MAYO Clinic: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-mouth/symptoms-causes/dxc-20318157Everyday Health: www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/oral-conditions/medications-and-oral-health.aspxWebMD: www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-dry-mouth

From 21 to 29 October, DVA, ex-ser-vice organisations and community groups will come together to highlight the importance of having a healthy lifestyle, which can help us to stay con-nected to others and live a happier and longer life.

The theme for Veterans’ Health Week (VHW) 2017 is physical activity. We know that physical activity leads to improved health and better lifestyle outcomes. To find out what activities are happening in your area, check the listings of activities on the VHW website (www.dva.gov.au/health-and-wellbeing/health-events/veterans-health-week) or call 1800 555 254.

DVA has a range of programs and initiatives that promote the health and wellbeing of the veteran community. These include: • The Heart Health program to help you increase your physical

health and wellbeing through practical exercise, nutrition and lifestyle management support (www.veteranshearthealth.com.au)

• The Right Mix website and app to help you find the right bal-ance of alcohol, diet and exercise for a healthy lifestyle (www.therightmix.gov.au)

• High Res website and app to help serving and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families manage stress and build resilience (https://at-ease.dva.gov.au/highres)

• PTSD Coach Australia app to help you learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur after trauma (http://at-ease.dva.gov.au/veterans/resources/mobile-apps/ptsd-coach)

• Operation Life Online website and app, to help those at risk of sui-cide (http://at-ease.dva.gov.au/suicideprevention).

You can find out more about DVA’s mental health resources at the At Ease Portal (http://at-ease.dva.gov.au).

breathing through your nose as much as possible; as well as maintaining good den-tal hygiene with regular use of dental floss, frequent brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and rinsing your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash. You should also reduce your consumption of caffeinated beverages and alcohol. Some people find that using a humidifier when sleeping at night also helps.

So, in summary, if you’ve been prescribed medications or are using medicines you’ve

bought yourself and find you develop a dry mouth, try the simple steps listed above. If symptoms persist, see your doctor and also your dentist. In many cases, the dry mouth symptoms can be fixed. Where this cannot be achieved, it is still possible to stop the tooth damage.

Make sure that you regularly consult your dentist to ensure optimal oral health and prevention of gum and tooth disease, espe-cially if you’re on medications that may reduce saliva output.

6 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

Robust data on suicide helps DVA target prevention strategies

PENSIONS AND ALLOWANCES RISEEMPLOYMENT AWARDSPrime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called for nominations for a new national awards program recognising employers of veter-ans. Large or small organisations, in the public, not-for-profit or pri-vate sectors that have done great work in employing or supporting veterans and spouses of Defence personnel are eligible as well as veteran employees. To nominate an employer, your own organi-sation, or a veteran employee please visit the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program Awards website www.veter-ansemployment.gov.au/awards. Nominations close at midnight on Friday 22 December 2017.

ARMISTICE CENTENARY GRANTS Do you have an idea for a com-memorative project or activity in your community to mark the Centenary of Armistice on 11 November 2018? If so, you may be interested in the new one-off Armistice Centenary Grants Program administered by DVA. Please contact your federal local member to express an interest in seeking funding.

YOUNGER VETERANS’ GRANTSSupporting Younger Veter-ans is a new grants program designed to benefit younger veterans in recognition of the challenges they face transi-tioning from the Australian Defence Force to civilian life. On 6 July 2017, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan announced that Round 1 (2016–17) provided nearly $240,000 to 11 ex-service and community organisations nationally. $1 million was avail-able under Round 2 (2017–18), which closed on 1 September with successful applicants to be announced shortly. For more information, please visit www.dva.gov.au/SYV.

CANBERRA VAN MOVEThe Canberra Veterans’ Access Network (VAN) office in Woden ACT has relocated from Corinna Street to a more easily accessible site in nearby Bowes Street. The VAN is now co-located within the Department of Human Services (DHS) Service Centre, around one kilometre from the previous site. All Canberra VAN office staff have relocated, or will relocate, to the new premises and continue to deliver all existing services to the veteran community. The DVA presence is clearly identified within the DHS Service Centre.

GANDEVIA PRIZECurrently serving ADF mem-ber Lieutenant David Woolley has won the third Bryan Gan-devia Prize for Australian Military-Medical History for his honours thesis on Australian psychiatric casualties during the Kokoda campaign. Lieutenant Woolley completed his degree in 2015, receiving the University Medal and the highest grade ever awarded to a History Honours thesis at UNSW Canberra. The $5000 biennial prize is admin-istered by the Australian War Memorial.

Review of DVA’s ESO Consultation Framework

Veterans’ pensions were increased from 20 September 2017 follow-ing the latest round of indexation adjustments.

As pension rates are calculated on a daily basis, the pension paid on payday 28 September 2017 will be paid partly at the old rate and partly at the new rate. The first full payment at the new rates of pen-sion will be payday 12 October 2017.

The maximum rate of single service pension has risen by $6.10 to $894.40 per fortnight and the maximum rate for couples has increased by $4.60 to $674.20 per fortnight (each).

The Special Rate of Disabil-ity Pension (T&PI pension) has increased by $9.50 to $1,373.80 per fortnight. Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) has increased by $5.30 to $758.90 per fortnight and the 100 per cent General Rate of Disability Pension has increased by $3.40 to $488.40 per fortnight.

The pension paid to war widow(er)s has increased by $6.30 to $909.10 per fortnight, while the

ceiling rate of the income support supplement has risen to $268.50 per fortnight.

Payments have also increased for benefits under the Military Reha-bilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA). The weekly MRCA wholly dependent partner payment has increased by $3.15 to $454.55, paid fortnightly.

The indexation factor used to index pensions each March and September can be based on either the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI) or Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE). For 20 September 2017, the indexa-tion was driven by PBLCI.

More information on the new pension rates is available from DVA on free call 1800 555 254. Current and historical pension rates are available here: http://bit.ly/2etwXGf .

NEW PENSION RATES FROM 20 SEPTEMBER 2017

The latest findings of the Aus-tralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) study, Incidence of suicide in serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel 2001–2015, provide the most accu-rate, robust data ever produced on suicide among Australia’s serving, reserve and ex-serving populations.

AIHW Director and CEO Barry Sandison said the study matched data from the Department of Defence Personnel Management Key System, which contains infor-mation on all people who serve or have served in the ADF from 1 Jan-uary 2001, to the National Death Index which contains certified suicide deaths up to and includ-ing 31 December 2015.

Included in the latest report issued on June 30 2017 is data showing that between 2001 and 2015 there were 325 certified sui-cide deaths among people with at least one day of ADF service since 2001. At the time of their death, more than half (51% or 166 deaths) were no longer serving in the ADF, 28% (90 deaths) were serving full time and 21% (69 deaths) were serving in the reserve (active or inactive).

Men, who comprise 85% of ADF personnel, accounted for 93 per cent of the suicide deaths.

The study shows that men who were currently serving full-time or in the reserve were considerably less likely to die by suicide than Australian men generally. However, this was not the case for men no longer serving in the ADF, who were 14% more likely to die by suicide than their counterparts in the general community.

These findings indicate that protective factors appear to be in place during a person’s mili-tary career that reduce the risk of suicide while serving. It is possible that once these protec-tive factors are removed after transition, some former serv-ing members become more vulnerable.

The study also indicates ex-serving men are at greater risk of suicide than their ex-serving peers if: they are aged 18–29;

FACTS AND FIGURES• There were 325 certified suicide deaths between 2001 and 2015 among

people with at least one day of ADF service since 2001. Of these, 51 per cent occurred in the ex-serving population.

• Ex-serving men aged 18 to 24 were twice as likely to die from suicide as other Australian men of the same age.

• Characteristics that may be associated with the higher rate of suicide among ex-servicemen included involuntary discharge – particularly medical discharge, short length of service, and having a rank below a commissioned officer.

Source: AIHW report

were discharged involuntarily (par-ticularly for medical reasons); left the ADF with less than one year of service; or did not hold a commis-sioned officer rank at discharge.

DVA, Defence and AIHW will work together to periodically update the suicide prevention study.

Mr Sandison said AIHW was working with DVA over the next three years to monitor and report on the current status and future needs of Australia’s veterans and their families, and to develop a comprehensive picture of their health and welfare.

The report is available on the AIHW website, www.aihw.gov.au.

If you or someone you know is in need of crisis or suicide prevention support, please contact the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service on 1800 011 046, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 (all are available 24 hours a day).

For immediate emergency assis-tance, please call Triple Zero (000).

Contact your GP or a mental health professional to discuss longer term support options.

SERVICE PENSION OLD RATE (fortnightly)

NEW RATE (fortnightly))

INCREASE (fortnightly))

Single person $888.30 $894.40 $6.10 Couples (each) $669.60 $674.20 $4.60 Single person – transitional $748.00 $752.40 $4.40 Couples (each) – transitional $603.40 $607.00 $3.60

WAR WIDOWS

War widow(er)’s pension $902.80 $909.10 $6.30

Income support supplement $266.60 $268.50 $1.90

DISABILITY PENSION

T&PI (Special rate) $1,364.30 $1,373.80 $9.50 Intermediate rate $926.20 $932.70 $6.50 EDA $753.60 $758.90 $5.30 100 per cent $485.00 $488.40 $3.40 10 per cent $55.43 $55.77 $0.34

MRCA NEW RATE (weekly)

NEW RATE (weekly)

INCREASE (weekly)

Wholly dependent partner payment $451.40 $454.55 $3.15

Special Rate Disability pension (SRDP) $682.15 $686.90 $4.75

The first full payment at the new rates will be payday 12 October 2017.

DVA recently concluded a review of the National Consultation Framework (NCF). The NCF was originally established in 2009 to provide a comprehensive con-sultation structure between the Repatriation Commission, Military Rehabilitation and Com-pensation Commission, DVA and major ex-service organisations (ESOs).

The review consulted widely across the current and former membership of each forum, those

organisations that had requested membership since the 2013 NCF Review, as well as with senior offi-cials in DVA and Defence.

The major finding of the latest review was that the framework is widely supported by the ESO community and remains a highly effective consultation mechanism.

The review recommended the re-instatement of the Operational Working Party (OWP). Along with the Female Veterans Policy Forum,

which was established in 2016 as part of the Government’s elec-tion commitments, the OWP will enhance the opportunity for dis-cussion of a wider array of issues.

Another outcome of the review was the expansion of the mem-bership of the ESO Round Table with the inclusion of the Defence Reserves Association while mem-bership of the Younger Veterans – Contemporary Needs Forum will be enhanced with the inclusion of

the Australian Veterans Alliance and Modern Soldier.

DVA wishes to thank all those people who took part in the sur-vey and all those past and present NCF members and presenters for their involvement in the DVA consultation program. The work of DVA, its policies and programs are undoubtedly achieving more successful outcomes for our vet-erans and their families as a result of the efforts undertaken by the members of the NCF and the ESO members that they represent.

INBRIEF

7 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

Dr Loretta Poerio

Mental Health Adviser

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

MYTH BUSTERS

Who are Australia’s veterans?What does the average DVA client look like? Or the typical veteran, for that matter? If you’re thinking of a former serviceman aged in his 60s, 70s or older, you’re only see-ing part of the picture.

As it turns out, one quarter of DVA’s veteran clients are aged under 50, with a further 35% aged between 50 and 69.

Some 23,000 of the Depart-ment’s clients are under the age of 40.

Sure, more than 201,000 are 65 or older and one in seven Aus-tralians over the age of 85 have a DVA Health Card, but almost half of DVA’s clients (48%) are women and 2500 of them are dependent children.

Speaking of dependants, 25% of DVA clients who are dependants are under 70, 48% are aged 70–89 and 27% are aged 90+.

Another factor to consider is that the Department is undergo-ing a significant period of change. DVA’s overall client numbers are falling. Today, DVA has contact with one in three veterans who have served since Vietnam, and one in five veterans who have served since 1999.

This change gives DVA the opportunity to put veterans at the centre of everything it does.

Departmental transforma-tion will empower veterans and their families by making it simpler to access the ser-vices they require. Veterans will enjoy improved health and

wellbeing outcomes under a system that focuses on veteran wellbeing – moving away from a claims-based rehabilitation and healthcare system.

Figures correct as at June 2017.

Keeping our brains in gear as we ageEver wondered why some people maintain their edge well into their later years and others don’t? There are a number of factors that can make a differ-ence, and we have more control over these than we give ourselves credit for. Risk factors such as age or genes cannot be changed, but high blood pres-sure or a lack of exercise can. It is worth the effort as maintaining a healthy brain can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer, and may also mitigate the onset of dementia.

With the incidence of dementia, and particularly its most common form, Alzheimer’s disease, increasing as we age, there is no better time to start looking after your brain than now. Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia after coronary heart disease. Of course, these conditions are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the risk of developing dementia increases as a result of conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Dr John Arden, neuropsychologist and author, talks about planting SEEDS as a way of remembering the fundamentals of healthy brain maintenance. The Alzheimer’s Association of Australia also supports these activities.

S is for social support. The brain loves the wellbeing-enhancing connec-tions we make when interacting with others. Such connections enhance bonding and attachment, increase our sense of safety and regulate emo-tions such as fear. Social interaction also activates our reward systems, which makes the experience enjoyable and more likely to be repeated. In fact, social isolation is a common factor in depression and anxiety.

E is for education. Education is considered cognitive exercise and is another form of anti-depressant – ongoing learning can enhance our capac-ity to see future possibilities rather than fixate on past failures. Developing cognitive reserves through education increases brain longevity and health. Further, people with higher levels of education are less likely to suffer from symptoms of dementia. There is no better time to sign up for that Spanish lesson or woodworking class.

E is for exercise. Did you know that aerobic exercise contributes to multi-ple brain-building processes? It enhances both the brain’s ability to change and the generation of new neurons, which is important for learning and memory and has been linked with longevity and reduced risk of dementia. Exercise is also a very effective anti-depressant and can reduce anxiety and stress. That Latin dance class never looked so good!

D is for diet. We all need good nutrition at regular intervals to provide the raw materials that make the brain function effectively. Insufficient raw materials or an oversupply of simple carbohydrates, trans-fatty acids or pro-cessed food prevent the brain from functioning optimally. A balanced diet is particularly important for older adults because aging slows the production of antioxidants which leads to cell loss.

S is for sleep. Sleep plays a critical role in the restorative and revitalising functions of the brain. Healthy sleep is essential for cognitive, emotional and metabolic processes. Most medications, especially benzodiazepines, impair sleep so developing good sleep hygiene habits is the preferred approach. Fur-ther, people sleeping less than seven hours a night have increased cortisol and adrenaline, which also leads to symptoms of anxiety and depression.

There is evidence that, in combination, these strategies can slow cognitive decline of older adults at risk of cognitive impairment.

Embrace the SEEDS approach one step at a time. While the activities are simple, it will take commitment and time to ensure they become habit. One thing is for sure, your brain will thank you!

REFERENCES:Alz.org website – ‘Alzheimer’s and Dementia in Australia’ http://www.alz.org/au/dementia-alzheimers-australia.asp

Fight dementia website – ‘Reducing the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease’ https://nsw.fightdementia.org.au/files/NSW/documents/Discussion_Paper-Risk_Factors.pdf

Your life choices website – ‘Maintaining a healthy brain’ https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/health/your-health/maintaining-a-healthy-brain

Alz.org website – ‘Prevention and Risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia’ http://www.alz.org/research/science/alzheimers_prevention_and_risk.asp#causes

Your brain matters website https://yourbrainmatters.org.au/

Sleep Foundation website – ‘What is sleep hygiene?’ https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/sleep-hygiene

Webinar examines sleep disorders and mental wellbeingThe Veterans and Veter-ans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) held its sec-ond community webinar on 30 August 2017, covering the topic of sleep disturbance.

The webinar looked at top-ics including what it’s like to live with a sleep disorder, how sleep disturbance can affect veterans’ families, how sleep disorders can be managed, when to seek help and where to find it.

The format was similar to that of the community webi-nar on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) held in April 2017, also taking the form of a panel discussion.

Dr Sean Drummond, Profes-sor of Clinical Neuroscience at Monash University and Presi-dent of the Sleep Research Society, was among the panel-lists. His clinical expertise lies

in treating behavioral sleep disorders, such as insomnia and chronic nightmares, as well as mood disorders such as depression and bipolar.

The webinar also high-lighted VVCS’ Sleeping Better program. This program is an educational and skills based group program assisting par-ticipants to understand the sleep process and how to effectively manage disturbed sleep, with two-hour ses-sions offered once a week for 10 weeks held in various loca-tions across Australia.

The next community webi-nar will cover the topic of exercise and wellbeing and will be held on 25 October 2017. To register for the upcom-ing webinar, watch the latest video, or register for the Sleep-ing Better program, visit www.vvcs.gov.au.

FIVE TIPS FOR A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP• Undertake a social media detox

(even for just 30 minutes) before you head to bed.

• Avoid stimulants (caffeine/nicotine) from midday and depressants (alcohol) close to bed time (about five hours).

• Try to get some fresh air, sun-shine and exercise each day.

• Make sure that your bedroom environment is clean, cool and relaxing.

• Establish a regular relaxing bedtime routine to help your body and mind recognise that it is time to rest.

8 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

E S O N E W SCivilian partners proud of ADF link but note sacrificesSixty-eight per cent of civilian partners are proud to tell others that they are part of an ADF family, but 81 per cent say they have made employment sac-rifices because of their partner’s ADF career.

These are two of the key findings of the 2017 ADF Families Survey in which 4649 people had their say during the month of March. The web survey is a joint initiative of the Defence Com-munity Organisation and Defence Families of Australia (DFA).

DFA issued preliminary results from the survey in late July and is due to release the full findings later in the year.

The participants consisted of civil-ian partners (65 per cent), parents of ADF members (5 per cent) and others including dual ADF couples and ADF members (30 per cent).

The survey was designed to engage with families on the ADF way of life.

Among other findings released so far is the fact that 14 per cent of civil-ian partners say they are unemployed with 12 per cent saying they are under-employed in that they are working part-time but would like to work more hours. Nineteen per cent of partners and 34 per cent of single parent ADF members and dual ADF couples feel the ADF considers family circumstances in postings.

Another finding was that 37 per cent of parents of ADF members say they don’t know how to contact their child while they’re deployed.

Ninety-four per cent of those sur-veyed were able to access the childcare services they needed. Of those who couldn’t, 58 per cent said affordability was a barrier.

The focus of the 2017 survey was on ADF member partner employment and awareness of support services for ADF members and their families. DFA has stated that both are high priority advo-cacy topics for the organisation.

In a post on the DFA Facebook page, a spokesperson noted that these topics needed changes and the survey would help them to gather the data to provide a solution that would make an impact.

‘Being a member of the ADF is a unique experience, not only for the individuals in uniform, but for their parents, partners and children who are also asked to accept the distinct chal-lenges associated with military life,’ the Facebook post stated.

‘The primary role of DFA is to repre-sent the interests of our families, and through data collected in the annual ADF Families Survey, we want to better understand those challenges.’

For more on the ADF Families Survey, visit www.dfa.org.au.

THOUSANDS GATHER FOR BOER WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILINGMembers of the Returned Services League from across Australia were among the more than 1000 visitors who gathered in Canberra on 31 May to wit-ness the dedication of the new National Boer War Memorial on Anzac Parade.

The Memorial recognises the service and sacrifice of Aus-tralian men and women who were involved in the Boer War between 1899 and 1902, and many descendants of Boer War

veterans were in attendance at the dedication.

Its opening followed many years of planning and fund-raising by a dedicated team of volunteers, headed by Colonel John Haynes OAM, former Presi-dent of the Defence Force Welfare Association NSW Branch.

The NSW branch of the RSL promoted the memorial dedi-cation to its members prior to the event, noting on its website

that the ceremony was to be live-streamed so anyone with high-speed internet could watch as it happened – or replay the footage after the event.

The memorial consists of a series of bronze statues created by Melbourne sculptor Louis Lauman. At 150 per cent of life size, they depict Australian mounted troopers riding the African veldt, whilst copper wall panels show extracts from let-ters written by one of the 23,000

Australians who served in the Boer War.

Around 16,000 Australians volunteered to fight for Britain against the Dutch-Afrikaner, or Boer, settlers in South Africa from 1899 to 1902. The Boer War remains Australia’s third worst conflict in terms of casualties.

The archived livestream footage of the dedication is available at www.nbwmdedica-tion.com.

Legacy youth take Kokoda Challenge

Junior Legatees and ADF mentors aboard a raft they built to retrieve food rations from the middle of the dam during the Popondetta Prelude training camp.

Twenty-three Legacy youth, 18 Australian Defence Force personnel and 20 staff from man-agement consulting firm QinetiQ Australia walked the Kokoda Track in late August and early September to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign.

The Operation Legacy Aus-tralia Kokoda Challenge 2017 (OP LAKC 17) took place during Legacy Week, providing a leader-ship development opportunity for the younger participants and a major fundraising opportunity for all involved.

The trekkers walked 96km between August 28 and Septem-ber 7.

Major General Stuart Smith AO, DSC — Legacy Australia Ambassa-dor and former Legacy ward said the challenge had brought Legacy youth and the current generation of serving veterans together in a life-changing experience.

‘Climbing the Track amid rain, mud and exhaustion has deep-ened their understanding of the

courage, teamwork and initia-tive demonstrated by those who fought at Kokoda 75 years ago,’ he said.

Participants prepared them-selves for the challenge by attending a training camp, Pop-ondetta Prelude, at Outward Bound in Uki, northern NSW on 4 June.

Funds raised for Legacy as a result of the Kokoda Challenge will be used to support a wide range of programs including leadership development of Jun-ior Legatees.

At the time of writing, the event had raised $117,935 with one participant, Greg Barsby, con-tributing $22,115, and another, Michael Hartas, having raised $14,548.35.

On August 15, Legacy announced that QinetiQ Aus-tralia had raised $100,000 for the Challenge.

Supporters can still make a donation at https://everydayhero.com.au/event/legacykokoda2017.

9 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

The service and sacrifice of our veterans resonates deeply in the Australian com-munity. That gratitude creates a strong but simple expectation – that the com-munity will look after veterans and their families long after their service ends.

Caring for veterans and their families is the proud duty of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). The Department exists for the entire veteran community, which includes anyone who has served or is serving, and their families. Its goal is to provide support, when needed, to ensure veterans can lead healthy and productive lives. Some just want to know they can rely on DVA if they ever need it. For oth-ers who are suffering with acute issues, its support is critical and urgent.

DVA’s staff are passionate and dedi-cated. But they recognise that the Department’s complex systems and outdated manual processes have been getting in the way. The hard truth is that some veterans have been suffering unnec-essarily because of how DVA operates.

The Australian Government is invest-ing in a program of Veteran Centric Reform to energise and accelerate the transformation of DVA. This transforma-tion will improve the way DVA supports the veterans who have served our coun-try, helping the Department to know, support, connect and respect.

A PLAN FOR VETERAN CENTRIC REFORM

DVA recognises that the best way to transform is in partner-ship with people who use its services.

To support this, DVA’s Vet-eran Centric Reform program is using a collaborative design approach to inform the future design of its services.

The collaborative design approach seeks to understand the experience of veterans and their families by engag-ing directly, inclusively and dynamically with them.

This program of collabora-tive design runs in parallel with DVA’s longstanding traditional consultation and engagement processes through existing channels such as the Ex-Service Organisations Round Table.

During the past 12 months, more than 500 current and potential DVA clients and their families have provided their input into how the Department can better address veterans’

Veterans, families help transform Department

Veterans and their families have been active participants in collaborative design forums, sharing their experiences of dealings with the Department.

T R A N S F O R M I N G D V A

Transformation will ensure there are dramatic improvements in the way DVA connects with veterans. At the moment, the Department does not know most veterans and relies on veterans reaching out to it. In many cases, seeing the whole picture of a veteran and their family’s circumstances requires staff to request paper files from a warehouse, and look at eight computer systems.

The reform process will allow DVA to provide a seamless transition experi-ence. The Department will aim to know about everyone who is serving and to use sophisticated analytics to connect them to the services they’re most likely to need

based on their unique history and circum-stances. In some cases, this will allow DVA to completely bypass the complexity of legacy systems, so that veterans and their families need only tell us things once.

Those who need help will get it quicker. At the moment DVA often finds out about veterans and families in need too late. Challenges that could have been man-aged early become chronic issues, leading to long periods in rehabilitation and treatment.

The Department’s transformation will seek to drive early and proactive interven-tions as the new norm. DVA will work with veterans, their families and the

community to better identify the causes of long-term issues. It will design support programs that prevent and reduce the length of time veterans and their families have to undergo treatment.

Improved systems and processes will make access easy through any channel. At the moment this can be hard. There’s no fast or easy way to get help. There are an array of different phone lines that confuse veterans and their families, and online support systems are not designed clearly or simply. To make a claim, veterans need to spend hours answering around 40 questions in a hard copy form, then wait months for an answer.

As part of the reform process, DVA will work to provide veterans and veteran families with a range of simple chan-nels to contact the Department. They don’t always have to make a claim to get assistance, but if they do so post-trans-formation, simple claims will take less than ten minutes to complete online, and they’ll usually get an answer within a mat-ter of days.

While most ADF members will tran-sition into civilian life successfully, the DVA transformation will ensure the Department has the modern processes and capability required to serve those vet-erans and their families who need it most.See our centrespread poster setting out DVA’s transformation vision timeline overleaf.

needs now and in the future. This input is helping to shape the Veteran Centric Reform program.

Collaborative design sessions have focused on engagement with stakeholders of all age groups across a wide variety of circumstances, from current and former serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to the spouses, widows and chil-dren of veterans.

Sessions have taken place across Australia, in a mix of metropolitan and regional areas across venues such as DVA offices, military bases, public spaces and in veterans’ homes.

DVA has sought the views of veterans and their families on a broad range of topics such as

transition from the ADF, expe-riences with DVA and service delivery preferences and veter-ans’ families’ needs.

Attendees at sessions have expressed a desire to access DVA’s services via modern technology and to self-man-age their interactions with the Department.

They’ve also said they’d like to engage with fellow veter-ans and family members who have similar lived experiences through the Department’s programs.

Participants have high-lighted a need for easy access to information on and trans-parency around the services and support available to them through DVA.

They have expressed a desire for DVA and the wider community to have a greater understanding of military ser-vice and the impact it can have

on the member and their family.

Attendees have also iden-tified positive aspects of current service arrangements and described the difference this makes in their lives.

These engagements are only one of the ways that DVA is receiving feedback and input. If you have any feed-back or comments please use this link: www.dva.gov.au/contact/feedback.

10 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

11 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

12 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

T R A N S F O R M I N G D V A

A large program of document scanning within DVA is helping to speed up the claims process and make client records more accessible to the DVA staff who need to use them.

Since its inception, the Department has stored clients’ information primarily on paper files. Until 2015, some 25 tonnes of paper were being moved around the country each month, as part of usual DVA operations, with more than a million files tak-ing up space in three warehouses and other storage facilities.

In these modern times, this is no longer acceptable.

In November last year, the Department ceased creating a paper file for each new client that

Scanning of documents speeds up claims process

Over the last year the Depart-ment of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)has begun to deliver a number of tangible improvements that will deliver better outcomes and experiences for veterans and their families.

These changes represent the first steps in what will be a long journey. DVA is in the first months of its Veteran Centric Reform (VCR) program.

One highlight of depart-mental reform currently in development is the new web application MyService. Having gone live in April, this online claim tool has reduced DVA’s paper-based claims process from 36 to between three and five questions (see full story on page one of this edition of Vetaffairs).

Another highlight of DVA’s transformation so far is the Department’s digitisation pro-gram, currently converting 100,000 print pages to digital documents per week (see story below). As part of VCR the Department is looking to boost this to 300,000 each week. This process allows DVA to replace paper-based processes and stop sending files from office to office by truck or by plane. This not only speeds up the time taken to assess a file, but also allows files to be used for mul-tiple processes simultaneously.

Staff from DVA have talked to over 500 veterans and their families about how the Department can improve in ways that will provide the most help.

A journey of organisational change

For nearly a century, DVA’s fundamental mission has been to support those who serve, or have served in defence of our nation and

to commemorate their service and sacrifice.

The veterans who come to us looking for support need our help. They often need this assistance immediately. To date, we have not always been able to offer that immediate help, though that is our goal for the future.

We know we can do better, which is why we are now focused on a comprehensive upgrade to our systems, processes and technology that will improve the way we do business, address delays and streamline the services we offer. These improve-ments are necessary to transform us into the Department that veterans need us to be.

We believe that simplifying our systems will make it easier for our clients to communicate with us. This will allow us to build relationships with a larger number of veterans, providing assistance to those who may previously have seen connection with the Department as too complex or burdensome.

We know, for example, that there are often significant wait times associated with our services and that our phone sys-tems need streamlining. Our ICT systems are outdated, we’re governed by complex legislation and our largely paper-based business processes need a complete overhaul.

The transformation program that is currently underway will allow us to make significant improvements to the system.

It will allow us to set in motion plans to consolidate the num-ber of external DVA phone numbers to reduce phone transfers and, in time, move towards a system where clients will access help by ringing a single 1800 VETERAN number.

The reform process will allow us to work towards dramatically reducing approval times for urgent medical health treatment.

It will allow us to decommission legacy ICT systems and ensure documentation for every new client we serve is set up and maintained digitally rather than in paper form, as we simultaneously digitise 300,000 pages per week from existing client files.

We are working in partnership with other agencies across government – including the Department of Defence, the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, and others – to leverage their skills, experience, systems and business processes as we embrace change.

Through these relationships, DVA is learning what works well for similar clients and how it can change to provide better, more modern services to veterans and their families.

Changes like this will see DVA evolve from an organisation that focuses on claims to one that places veterans and their families at the centre of everything it does.

Transforming DVA won’t happen overnight, but with our sights clearly set on improved outcomes for veterans, we’re well on our way.

IMPROVED OUTCOMES for veterans are in our sights

Liz Cosson AM CSC

Deputy Secretary

Chief Operating Officer

It allows staff to collaborate across geographies, and ensures separate assessments can be conducted at the same time.

The Department is also piloting a new approach to transition to sup-port veterans and their families as they separate from the ADF. The program DVA is trialling will lead to everyone who joins or separates from the ADF being registered with the Department. This will posi-tion DVA to know and support its clients, and allows it to reach out where it is needed to provide sup-port and services.

Across all this, the Department is laying the foundations for ongo-ing transformation. It has begun a journey of cultural and organisa-tional change, and has started to build the ICT capability it needs to modernise its systems and ser-vices. These large scale changes will improve outcomes and experiences for veterans and their families.

In the development of the VCR Pro-gram, staff from DVA talked to more than 500 veterans and their families to understand the most important improvements the Department had to make.

DVA Secretary Simon Lewis said the Department would continue this journey, keeping veterans at the heart of everything it did.

‘This commitment to collabora-tion and co-design will be a mainstay of our program,’ Mr Lewis said.

‘We have established forums and working groups with vet-erans, veteran families, female veterans, and a vast array of ex-ser-vice organisations.

‘These groups help us stay focused on what matters most to veterans and their families so we can improve in ways that will pro-vide the most help.

‘We are eager to continue this jour-ney with you to transform the way we serve those who have served.’

lodged a claim, and now creates a digital file only. This brought to an end a practice that began almost a century ago and ushers in the beginning of a new digital era for DVA.

Following an initial trial, the conversion of client paper files into digital, known as digiti-sation, is well underway. This program has so far digitised more than 20,000 client records (more than 5 million pieces of paper).

On any given day, DVA receives around 2,500 pieces of mail from clients, providers and other par-ties. These are all now routinely digitised and delivered electroni-cally to the Department each day.

In the months to come, DVA will significantly boost the amount of digitisation that it undertakes with a recent injec-tion of funds received under the Veteran Centric Reform program. The Department expects to be digitising well over 300,000 pages per week, with one of its goals being to digitise DVA’s most used and most recent client files within the next six years.

13 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

An invaluable chapter in the story of women veterans As Britain was thrust into the Second World War, the lives of all English people changed dramatically. Into the Blue Grey is the story of one young English woman who left home to wear the blue-grey uniform of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). Second World War veteran and war widow Elsie Alford’s debut memoir captures the camaraderie among those who served in that rugged war-time environment and tells how the experience changed her forever.

Born Elsie Wright in Yorkshire in 1926, the author joined the WAAF in 1944. With her strong performance in high school chemistry and physics, she was deployed as a trainee mete-orological observer, a position that would take her on an amazing jour-ney while in the WAAF, and would leave her with an enduring fascina-tion with the weather and the skies.

‘For me the most interesting part of the evening news is the weather forecast,’ Mrs Alford writes.

‘Old habits die hard, you just can’t shake them. I still count clouds daily and my subcon-scious mind classifies them. Stepping outside at night to observe the star-packed

Southern sky, it still disturbs me that Orion the Hunter is hang-ing upside down, for the night sky above the North Atlantic is embedded in my brain, as are so many beautiful memories.’

She notes that writing fiction would have to be easier than this delving into the past.

‘You would think up a plot, choose your characters, and then mould their actions and motives according to the story; any part of which could be changed at will,’ she said.

‘This, however, is about real events happening around my 20-year-old self and the only way to remember is to go back in my mind and live amongst the people and the prevailing conditions; to spend time there; to strip away the decades of accumulated experi-ence and, above all, to suspend hindsight.’

It had been a revelation to her how clearly her brain had condensed perfect images of people, right down to the sound of their voices, their laughter, their conversations and turns of phrase.

‘And so as I write, my sur-roundings are peopled by

friendly ghosts and all of them with something to say!’ she said.

After her service, Elsie embarked on her next adven-ture, moving to Australia. She then married veteran Henry George Alford, who sadly passed away in 2012. In that same year, Elsie joined the War Widows’ Guild, where she has found the same spirit of cama-raderie and friendship that she enjoyed while a member of the WAAF.

A story of adventure, friend-ship, love and loss, Into the Blue Grey is an invaluable chapter in the story of women veterans. Elsie writes with passion and clarity, painting her world and the characters as clearly today as they were 70 years ago.

Elsie Wright at 18. Elsie Alford today.

Pictured are Mrs Meg Green with Keith Payne VC OAM and Mrs Jennifer Gregory, President of Australian War Widows (Queensland).

The War Widows’ Guild Victoria is proud to have recently pro-vided a donation to assistance dogs Australia, an organisation that provides assistance dogs to people in need including wheelchair users, children with autism, veterans with post-trau-matic stress disorder (PTSD) and people living with dementia.

An article written by Heather Evans, Vice-President of the Partners of Veterans Associa-tion, inspired the committee to forward a donation. Earlier this year, representatives from the Victorian War Widows’ Guild attended a graduation event for three assistance dogs that have

been homed free-of-charge to qualifying applicants.

The donation they provided will specifically improve the life and wellbeing of an eligible Vic-torian veteran suffering from PTSD.

PTSD is one of the leading conditions affecting the mod-ern veteran. Suicide rates have increased along with drug and alcohol dependency as the veteran combats physical and emotional pain. Providing an assistance dog has been shown to lead to a significant improve-ment in the recipient’s quality of life and that of their family.

Labradors and golden retriev-ers, selected for their acceptance and successful training suit-ability, are trained for two years through a comprehensive pro-gram that costs more than $35,000 per dog.

The program is hugely suc-cessful, having provided 26 assistance dogs in 2016, with a success rate of 96 per cent. How-ever, hundreds of people remain on the waiting list for an assis-tance dog. The organisation relies heavily on volunteering and donations.

To learn more about the organ-isation and how you can be a part of it, visit www.assistancedogs.org.au.

Honouring the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam

Vietnam War widow and National President of the War Widows’ Guild Meg Green attended the recent com-memoration ceremony at the Australian Army Train-ing Team Vietnam (AATTV) Memorial Grove in Canungra, Queensland.

Mrs Green laid a wreath on behalf of all war widows at the commemoration, which recog-nised the 55th anniversary of the formation of the AATTV. She said it was a moving service.

‘It was lovely to see so many families of people who served in the AATTV, includ-ing Queensland war widow

Mrs Val Rooney whose hus-band had served in the Team,’ Mrs Green said.

The National President of the AATTV Association, Colo-nel Kerry Gallagher AM, gave a stirring address and paid respects to the wives and fam-ilies who supported the team members during their service. He spoke on behalf of the families of the five team mem-bers whose bodies had been returned to Australia in 2016.

AATTV was established by the Australian Government in 1962, providing 30 advisers to work with South Vietnam-ese as part of a program to provide support to South Vietnam. The instructors of the AATTV joined the United States advisory teams to work with South Vietnamese units, mainly in the northern prov-inces of South Vietnam, in June 1962. AATTV strength increased over the years to 227 in 1970 before instructors were withdrawn from Vietnam on 18 December 1972. Almost 1000 Australians served with the AATTV, as well as a small number of New Zealanders, and the unit received more than 100 military decorations.

SUPPORTING PTSD SUFFERERS THROUGH ASSISTANCE DOGS AUSTRALIA

Pictured are assistance dog recipients Matthew Connor with Charlie, Andrew Tebbit with Benji and Grant Newton with General joined by Alberto Alvarez-Campos, Assistance Dogs Australia National Programs Manager. Both Mr Tebbit and Mr Newton are veterans.

W I D O W S ’ N E W S

14 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

Australian Light Horse: The campaign in the Middle East, 1916–1918 By Phillip Bradley$196pp, $39.99

Throughout history, mounted troops have been known as elite men of arms and the Aus-tralian Light Horse is a part of that legendary tradition. Part cavalry and part infantry and often recognised by the emu feathers in their slouch hats, they remain the embodiment of the digger ethos. In this, his seventh book, Phillip Bradley, author of the ground-break-ing Hell’s Battlefield and Charles Bean’s Gallipoli: Illustrated, brings the story of the Light Horse to life through the diaries, letters and photo-graphs of men who took part in the bloody battles of the desert campaigns of the Sinai and Palestine from April 1916 to October 1918.

The Secret Code-Breakers of Central Bureau: How Australia’s signals-intelligence network helped win the Pacific War By David Dufty464pp, $49.99

A ground-breaking work of Australian military history interwoven with lively per-sonalities and personal stories, The Secret Code-Breakers of Central Bureau chronicles a covert and little-understood side of the Pacific War. It tells of Australia’s version of Bletchley Park, introducing the talented and dedicated individuals who built a sophisticated intelligence network from scratch to crack Japanese military codes and play a vital role in the battles of Midway, Milne Bay, the Coral Sea and Leyte.

Read an extract from The Secret Code-Breakers of Central Bureau about the remarkable rise of Florence Violet McKenzie’s Women’s Emergency Sig-nalling Corps on page 17.

If you would like your title featured in off the shelf, please send us a summary of the book (maximum 150 words) along with the price and page extent and a high resolution .jpg of the book’s cover.

Email vetaffairs@dva.gov.au or write to GPO Box 9998, ACT 2601.

VIDEO SERIES CHRONICLES Australia’s Vietnam War

Australians who served in the Vietnam War share their sto-ries in 30 new videos that are available online now and will be showcased in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s Education Center opposite the Vietnam Veterans Memo-rial (the Wall) Washington DC.

Work on the 30 videos, which can be found via www.dva.gov.au/VVEC, was completed as Australians remembered the service and sacrifice of those who served in the Vietnam War and the impact it had on their fami-lies and Australian society, on Vietnam Veterans Day on August 18.

The videos explore a wide range of themes, and include 20 new interviews filmed with Vietnam veterans and family members in 2016, while a further ten stories were developed from existing interviews. Together, they form an important archive of Australia’s experience of the Vietnam War.

The stories cover themes from combat to nursing, serving with our Allies and the lasting impacts of the war including the long-term effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and exposure to Agent Orange.

Also known as the Vietnam Veterans Education Center, the Education Center at the Wall is expected to open in 2020 on the National Mall in Washington DC. The inter-pretive centre will set out to tell the military, social and political story of the Vietnam War through images, film and audio.

The Australian Govern-ment has contributed US$3.3 million to the project, and has developed content to ensure that visitors to the centre will also learn of the signifi-cant contribution made by Australian servicemen and women to the Vietnam War.

Learn more about the service and sacrifice of Australians during the Vietnam War in this new video series.

As Spring arrives, we start to think about warmer weather and holidays. More often than not, we stay close to home, but sometimes, when the deals are good, a cruise, a short overseas holiday or a long trip to Europe might even be discussed.

While we dream about (and plan) the actual holiday, we may not think much about insur-ance. Overseas travel can cost you the same as a new car, and most of us wouldn’t consider pur-chasing a new car without insurance. The scary thing is that overseas healthcare could cost as much as the value of your home!

Defence Service Homes Insurance (DSHI) offers an extensive range of travel insurance options online with a premium discount of up to 35 per cent (this discount applies to the standard rate agreed between DSHI and QBE).

Customers can choose from packages including: Annual Multi Trip (for unlimited trips, each of less than 60 days), International Comprehensive, Elements (limited cover for single international trips), and Austral-ian Comprehensive (cover for travel within Australia).

Please visit http://bit.ly/2wsj1AC for a free DSHI travel insurance quote.

Before you jump on that plane or ship without insurance, consider a few of these scenarios… • A tourist relaxing on a tropical island,

reading in the shade of a palm tree, is injured when a coconut falls on his head. He requires hospital treatment.

• A traveller’s mother falls ill unex-pectedly and she needs to fly home immediately.

• A restaurant meal leaves a traveller with a nasty case of food poisoning requiring several days in hospital. As a result, a large medical bill follows.

• Losing luggage either accidentally or through theft is more than just an incon-venience. It can have a major impact on your holiday as well as your finances – the replacement cost of bags, clothes,

cosmetics and, if you’re travelling with it, medication, can be significant.

• Although replacing the photographs when your camera is stolen, lost or bro-ken is not possible, the devices can be replaced.

• Having to cancel your holiday before it starts is almost beyond thought, but it does happen. Some people wait and save all year for the big trip, and then something happens that results in it being cancelled. Travel insurance can also help with covering those cancel-lation fees.

TRAVEL WITHOUT INSURANCE CAN PROVE COSTLY

15 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

Sir John Monash Centre website live and taking registrations of visitor interest

Remembering Roy Maguire, who was only nineteen

Revamp boosts Anzac Portal’s coverage of Australians at warThe Anzac Portal: Beyond the Century of Service website has recently been revamped and now contains information and resources about Australia’s involvement in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, Vietnam War, South East Asia conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

The Anzac Portal (www. anzacportal.dva.gov.au) hon-ours the service and sacrifice of those who served by providing reliable information, historical content and teaching resources for any person who is interested in Australian wartime history. The website can be accessed on multiple devices and browsers.

DVA has consolidated a number of its commemorative websites into The Anzac Portal, allowing users to, in one loca-tion, access reliable and useful information and multimedia spanning campaigns from the First World War to contempo-rary military and peacekeeping operations.

A range of educational resources and commemorative publications that support the Australian Curriculum are avail-able on the portal. Department staff will regularly add new con-tent and make improvements to enhance engagement with learners.

The Anzac Portal contains material to assist schools and community groups to host commemorative activities and events. This includes infor-mation and advice on: how to host such an event; Anzac Day and Remembrance Day post-ers; downloadable music for playing during events; Wartime Snapshots; and a range of vet-erans’ stories and publications.

Users can sign up on the home page to receive a free e-newslet-ter containing information on new publications, updates on The Anzac Portal and details of upcoming commemorations.

The Anzac Portal is at www.anzacportal.dva.gov.au.

The under-construction Sir John Monash Centre (SJMC) at the Australian National Memorial near Villers-Bretonneux in France now has its own website at www.sjmc.gov.au, allowing users to register their interest in becom-ing one of the first visitors to the facility.

The website is the place to go to plan your trip to what will, from April 2018, be the central hub of the Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front. The trail links First World War sites of significance to Australia, including museums, battlefields, memorials and cemeteries.

The SJMC website, which was launched on 31 July 2017, provides practical information, including how to get to the centre, its open-ing hours, and what to expect from a visit.

Follow the links on the website to register for updates, including new website features, news and booking information. Registered

users will be alerted when online bookings open on 31 October 2017. Bookings will be required for groups.

The launch of the website is a major milestone for the SJMC, which remains on track for its scheduled opening next April.

The centre will tell Austral-ia’s story of the Western Front

through new and archival foot-age, animation, maps, music and soundscapes featuring the words of those who were there. Its multimedia interpretive area will include a 360-degree theatre designed to immerse visitors in the real-life stories of Australian First World War soldiers.

On a recent inspection tour of Western Australia, Director War Graves Ken Corke visited the final resting place of Private Roy Louis McGuire, who is officially commemorated by the Office of Australian War Graves.

Roy, Mr Corke discovered, was as eager to go to war as his mother was for him not to. But by 2018, at 19 years of age, Roy no longer needed permission. On 3 June 1918, he joined up.

Roy enlisted at Maryborough, nearly three hours from his home town of Taabinga Village, near Kingaroy in Queensland. He was initially assigned to a reserve unit, but on 26 June he was posted into the 5th Rein-forcements. After a brief period of leave, Roy travelled to Sydney to embark on the ship A30 Borda, which left port bound for Lon-don on 17 July.

But while Roy was finally on his way, his mother was doing all she could in the hope that her son would come to no harm. On 25 June she wrote to the Camp Commandant at Enoggera; He has been wanting to go to the war this last two years and left his work at the post office and I would not give him consent to go. Now this new act has come out that he could enlist without any consent and he has done so. So I will not try and stop him as he is determined on going. But if you can give him any work to do that would keep him out of the trenches until he is of age I will be pleased.

Her final words would resonate with any mother bidding farewell to their child under such circumstances: ‘So I hope that he will have luck and that the war will be over before he gets to the other side.’

Sadly, Roy never got to the other side. He collapsed on the deck of the Borda on 22 July, just five days into his much anticipated journey. Roy was taken to the Commonwealth Quarantine station at Albany where he died of meningitis on 24 July 1918.

On 25 July, Roy was buried in a small copse of trees along-side the sea. His grave is maintained in perpetuity by the Office of Australian War Graves.

16 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

Making informed choices about hearing devicesHearing loss is one of the most significant issues affecting veter-ans’ daily lives. DVA established an Ex-Service Organisation Round Table (ESORT) Hearing Services Working Group (HSWG) in 2016 to discuss veterans’ hear-ing services entitlements.

The HSWG identified that eli-gible veterans have access to a unique ‘hearing package’. Under the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program, vet-erans can access more than 160 high-quality devices from the fully subsidised hearing sched-ule at no cost.

To further enhance hear-ing capabilities, veterans may also receive assistive listening devices (ALDs) through DVA’s Rehabilitation Appliances Pro-gram (RAP) at no cost. The ALD range includes radio frequency ALDs, television headsets, per-sonal response systems and smoke alarm packages.

Professor Harvey Dillon, Director of Research, National Acoustics Laboratory, advised the HSWG that independent research showed that a com-bination of a radio frequency ALD worn in conjunction with hearing aids provides superior performance in noisy environ-ments and over distances than is possible from any hearing aid alone. In fact, ALD wireless remote microphone units give up to a 15 decibel improvement

in loudness when used correctly in conjunction with a hearing aid. This compares to hearing aids available on both the fully and partially subsidised device schedules that only provide around 2 decibel improvement in signal-to-noise ratio.

The HSWG also raised concerns that some veterans were being pressured to buy partially sub-sidised hearing devices. Unlike fully subsidised hearing devices, these require veterans to pay some out-of-pocket expenses. They have additional non-essential features and there is no difference in the quality of the devices in relation to hearing outcomes.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s report of 3 March 2017 entitled Issues around the sale of hearing aids raised concerns about incentive-based sales and commissions that are commonly used to motivate clinicians to sell hear-ing aids. The report found that some hearing clinics encour-aged hearing clinicians to sell more expensive, or ‘partially subsidised’ or ‘non schedule’ hearing aids, by setting sales targets, paying commissions, and having arrangements that favoured certain brands. Some were owned by companies that manufactured hearing aids.

DVA encourages you to make fully informed choices about

your hearing devices. Have a discussion with your hearing service provider to ensure you are accessing all of your ‘hearing package’ of entitlements, which include:• high-quality digital hearing

aids from the OHS fully subsi-dised hearing aid schedule

• Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) from the DVA Reha-bilitation and Appliances Program (RAP)

• maintenance of these devices• rehabilitation programs.

If you have concerns about the service you have received from your hearing services provider, please contact the Office of Hear-ing Services on 1800 500 726 or at hearing@health.gov.au.

To report a hearing services provider that may be doing the wrong thing, and for more infor-mation about your consumer rights, email the ACCC via hearingaids@accc.gov.au or call 1300 302 502.

Parliament passes military compensation law On 7 September 2017, the Par-liament passed a Bill to create a new compensation Act for current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, and their dependants, for inju-ries and illnesses linked to ADF service prior to 1 July 2004. The new Act, called the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensa-tion (Defence-related Claims) Act

1988 (DRCA), will commence 28 days after Royal Assent. DVA expects the Act to commence by November 2017.

Previously, compensation for current and former ADF mem-bers with conditions linked to service prior to 1 July 2004 were covered under the Safety, Rehabil-itation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRCA), which also provides

compensation for Australian Public Service employees.

The purpose of this change was to move all military compensation legislation under the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and to recognise the unique nature of military service. It will also give the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs policy responsibility for each of

those Acts (including the DRCA, the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 [MRCA] and the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 [VEA]).

When it commences, the DRCA will be an exact replica of the SRCA with minor modi-fications to ensure the Act only applies to ADF members. Eli-gibility and benefits under the

DRCA will be the same as those currently available to serving and former ADF members with coverage under the SRCA.

It is also important to note that the commencement of the DRCA will not alter the arrange-ments currently in place for those DVA clients with claims under the VEA and/or the MRCA.

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR NEW PTSD TREATMENT TRIAL Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health is seeking military personnel and veterans to take part in a study of Intensive Prolonged Exposure Therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Phoenix Australia is conducting the study, known as the RESTORE trial, in partnership with DVA, the Department of Defence and the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS).

The trial is taking place in Bris-bane, Sydney and Melbourne.

The organisers are seeking 200 participants who are either

veterans or current serving per-sonnel, between 18 and 70 years of age, who have PTSD-like symptoms which are related to a traumatic experience during their military service.

Participants will attend a number of interviews and ten treatment sessions (either daily therapy sessions for two weeks or weekly sessions over 10 weeks). As RESTORE is a randomised controlled trial, participants are randomly allocated to receive either daily or weekly therapy.

Treatment sessions will be delivered by experienced clini-cians and run for 90 minutes.

There will be no cost to partici-pants for the treatment.

Prolonged Exposure ther-apy (PE) is one of the most effective treatments for PTSD. The RESTORE trial will test a new form of PE. While the stand-ard treatment involves weekly therapy sessions for 10 weeks, the new form – Intensive PE – involves daily sessions for just two weeks. If this trial can show that Intensive PE is as effective as the standard form, then the reduced time involved will mean many more veterans will be able to receive the treatment and its benefits sooner.

PTSD is a seriously disabling condition that can cause distress, poor quality of life, difficulty with work and social activities, family breakdown, and high long-term health costs.

Potential benefits of taking part in the trial are an improvement in PTSD symptoms and a better quality of life.

Prolonged Exposure therapy is an effective and evidence-based treatment for PTSD. It helps a person to: • confront and come to terms

with painful memories, thoughts, and images

• get back into activities that they have been finding too distressing

• learn how to relax when stress builds up

• challenge unhelpful ways of thinking that make the memo-ries of the trauma more painful.

To express interest in participat-ing in the trial or find out more, call 1800 856 824 or go to www.phoenixaustralia.org/RESTORE. An intake officer will speak to you and discuss whether RESTORE may be right for you.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACCC REPORT CAN BE FOUND AT THE LINKS BELOW:ACCC Consumer Guidance for Making an Informed Decision: https://www.accc.gov.au/publications/hearing-aids-and-devices-information-to-help-make-an-informed-choice ACCC Report: Issues around the sale of hearing aids: https://www.accc.gov.au/publications/issues-around-the-sale-of-hearing-aidsA summary of the outcomes from the Hearing Services Working Group is available on DVA’s website at https://www.dva.gov.au/consultation-and-grants/consultation-ex-service-community/eso-round-table-esort/esort-hearing.

17 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

In late 1940, the Royal Australian Navy placed an advertisement calling for anyone with Morse code and other signals experience. As outlined in this extract from ‘The Secret Codebreakers of Central Bureau’, Sydney woman Florence Violet McKenzie responded, informing them that she had trained 1200 women in Morse. Commander Jack Bolton Newman was sent to investigate.

Mrs Mac and her girls in green

ABOVE LEFT: Mrs Florence Violet McKenzie, OBE, about 1941. Photo: Ex-WRANS Association of NSW.

ABOVE: Dressed in the practical green uniforms designed by McKenzie, Corps members spell out W E S C in flag semaphore. Photo: Ex-WRANS Association of NSW.

I n 1938, Florence Violet McKen-zie and several other women founded the Australian Wom-en’s Flying Corps at Sydney’s

Feminist Club. Mrs McKenzie, who was Australia’s first woman electri-cal engineer, became treasurer, and started teaching classes in Morse code for the women in the Corps.

She became aware of the acute demand for courses to teach Morse to Australian women, and so the follow-ing year she and her husband, Cecil, founded the Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps, an organisation whose sole aim was to provide signals training to women. This included Morse code with a Morse key, as well as semaphore (flag signalling) and sending Morse with lamps.

The woolshed in Clarence Street offered a central location and cheap rent. She covered the greasy old floors with sheets of linoleum, and the wooden walls with hes-sian. Friends and relatives donated tables and chairs. McKenzie rigged telegraphic wiring between two upper floors of the building so that women could practise signalling in Morse to each other between floors. She wanted this to be viewed as a genuine corps, a militia of technical experts, so she designed a uniform for its members. The uniform con-sisted of a bottle-green knee-length frock, a brown belt, and a black, tai-lored blazer.

Women would come to Mrs McKenzie’s signals school – ‘Sigs’, as it became known – in their lunch-times, after work, or on Saturday mornings. They called Florence ‘Mrs Mac’. The whole thing was funded by

donations, and Mrs Mac never took any money.

There was little socialising at Sigs, at least during practice, when a visitor would hear nothing but an incessant clacking of Morse keys. Mrs Mac invented various teaching aids to help the women learn Morse, many of which included short bursts of song.

For example, the letter Q in Morse is dash-dash-dot-dash – or, as a Morse operator would say, ‘Dah-dah-dit-dah’. Mrs Mac would send the letter Q to a student and then sing ‘Here comes the Bride.’

She used catchy phrases. The let-ter L is dot-dash-dot-dot, or, in Morse vernacular, ‘dit-dah-dit-dit. Mrs Mac would send the letter L and then call out ‘To L with it!’

Learning Morse was slow going at first, but with persistence the break-through would come. Sue Timbry, one of Mrs Mac’s students, explained years later: ‘All of a sudden a wonder-ful magical moment came when you forgot about the ‘dits’ and ‘dahs’ and you just actually heard the musical sound of each letter. And then you were really on the way.’

One summer’s day in early 1941, Mrs Mac took [Commander] Jack Newman upstairs to the training rooms, where he was introduced to her class for the day. She showed him the Morse-sending apparatus, and explained how he could test the women by sending and receiving from the floor above.

Newman tested several of the women in Morse sending and receiv-ing. He was blown away. He was

impressed by their skill, by the train-ing facilities Mrs Mac had established, and especially by Mrs Mac herself. That meeting on a summer day in early 1941 was the first of many. The two devel-oped mutual respect and admiration. Newman later told her that, through her school, she had provided him with ‘the cream of Australian womanhood’.

Jack Newman reported to the Naval Board that the members of the Wom-en’s Emergency Signalling Corps were ‘almost as good as the men’. This remark was less sexist than it sounds;

the ‘men’ that Newman was compar-ing them to were experienced naval personnel, fully trained and opera-tional on Australian warships and in shore stations. That Mrs Mac’s women, with no formal training or operational experience, were almost as good as them was itself astonishing. Indeed, Jack Newman’s shocking endorse-ment of Mrs Mac’s students was a pivotal moment for Australian signals and for the role of women in the Royal Australian Navy.

While Mrs Mac was pleased with Jack Newman’s support, his praise for her ‘girls in green’ was a bit weak for her lik-ing. She maintained to everyone who would listen that, rather than being ‘almost as good as the men’, they were ‘as good as the men, if not better’. Over time, Newman came to agree with her that this was indeed the case.

Admiral Ragnar Colvin, the First Naval Member, was not about to act rashly. Colvin had joined the Royal Navy as a cadet 45 years earlier in 1896. With failing health and at the end of his career, he was not about to change longstanding tradition on a whim. Nonetheless, he was aware that in Britain, his homeland, the navy had recently established a spe-cial women’s-only service, the British Women’s Royal Naval Service (known as the WRENS).

She maintained to everyone who would listen that, rather than being ‘almost as good as the men’, they were ‘as good as the men, if not better’. Over time, Newman came to agree with her.

Under Colvin’s leadership, the Naval Board decided, after con-sidering Jack Newman’s report, to investigate the matter further. For one thing, there was the issue of accommodation. If women were to be based at shore stations, where would they sleep? Would exist-ing naval accommodation even be appropriate? Colvin told Newman to prepare a more detailed report that addressed all the board’s concerns.

A month later, Colvin’s health took a turn for the worse. He stepped down as First Naval Member, and his sec-ond in command, Commodore John Walter Durnford, temporarily stepped into the role as head of the navy until a replacement was appointed. Durnford had been keen on the idea of recruiting the women from the beginning.

Newman submitted his homework as Colvin had insisted. He also brought Mrs Mac down to Melbourne to appear before the Naval Board in person and tell it about her Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps. The board, chaired now by Durnford, promptly decided to employ a small number of the women on a trial basis. If it worked out well, they could bring in more women, and the board thought it might even get requests from the British to send its female telegraphists to Singapore.

But first they needed permission from the government. Durnford wrote to the minister of the navy, Billy Hughes, asking for permission to do so. Hughes, a former prime minister, came along to the next board meet-ing. He gave permission to employ 14 women* at Harman, a signals base near Canberra, on two conditions. First, they had to keep looking around for suitable men who could do those jobs; and sec-ond, they had to keep it quiet.This is an edited extract from The Secret Codebreakers of Central Bureau: How Australia’s signals-intelligence network helped win the Pacific War by David Dufty (Scribe, 464pp, $49.99).

*From the initial intake of 14, the WRANS ranks expanded to some 2,600 by the end of the war, representing about 10 per cent of the entire Royal Australian Naval force at the time. After her death in 1982, the newsletter of the Ex-WRANS Association published a statement Mrs McKenzie made two days before she died: “...it is finished, and I have proved to them all that women can be as good as, or better than men.”

18 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

ORDER FORM (please print clearly)

To order, simply complete the order form and post your cheque/money order or credit card details to:

eSales Unit Australian War Memorial GPO Box 345 Canberra ACT 2601

Phone (02) 6243 4555 (select option 2)

Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery.

Or shop online at www.awm.gov.au/shop

QUAN

TITY

DET

AILS

PRICE NUMBER OF ITEMS TOTAL

Australian Army cap $19.99

Royal Australian Navy cap $19.99

Royal Australian Air Force cap $19.99

Rounds Complete: an artillery forward observer in Vietnam $29.99

The Secret Code-Breakers of Central Bureau $49.99

Gimme Shelter $32.99

Postage & handling (per delivery address) 1–3 items $10.00, 4–9 items $15.00, 10 or more items $20.00 $

Total amount x $

PAYM

ENT

DETA

ILS

Visa Mastercard Cheque/money order (made payable to the Australian War Memorial)

CARDHOLDER NAME

CARD NUMBER EXPIRY DATE

SIGNATURE DAYTIME CONTACT NUMBER

ADDR

ESS

FULL NAME

DELIVERY ADDRESS

SUBURB/TOWN State Postcode

DAYTIME CONTACT NUMBER

✃

I TEMS FOR SALE NEWS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

Service caps Made from durable cotton, these Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy caps feature their respective emblems, while the Royal Australian Air Force cap features the RAAF roundel. Each cap includes a Memorial logo pin. $19.99 each

Rounds Complete: An artillery forward observer in Vietnam

By Steve Gower Former Memorial Director Steve Gower was a young gunner in the 101st Field Battery when he was sent to Vietnam in 1966. His role was to provide ‘timely, accurate and effective fire sup-port’, his task to guide the guns of the Australian artillery in providing fire support to soldiers on the ground. Gower would quickly learn that this definition failed to mention the terror and nerve-jangling tension of jungle warfare. Rounds Complete is a frank and compelling tribute to the men who served, and until recently were denied their nation’s gratitude. Soft cover, photographs, 224 pages. $29.99

The Secret Code-Breakers of Central Bureau

By David DuftyWriting in The Age, journalist Tony Wright described The Secret Code-Breakers of Central Bureau as ‘an absorbing new book’ and ‘a work of considerable scholarship’ which tells the story of how a sophisticated signals intelligence network was built in Australia from scratch to track Japanese ships, planes, troops and battle plans. Wright said the book lays out ‘the intricate detail of how Japan’s codes were broken, and by whom, in fascinating detail’ and in its sweep, ‘is the telling of a great drama played out by big and small characters’. Please see full review in Off the Shelf on page 12. You can also read an extract from the book on page 17. Hard cover, 464 pages. $49.99

Gimme Shelter: Stories of courage, endurance and survival from the frontline and back home

By Paul FieldRead the deeply personal and often hidden stories of 16 men and women, including Vietnam veterans, peacekeepers, first responders and relatives, whose greatest struggle has been to return to everyday life after service or to deal with the loss of loved ones who did not make it home. Royalties earned from sales will be shared with Soldier On. Soft cover, photographs, 273 pages. $32.99

Three more Victoria Cross medals on display Captain Robert Grieve’s Victoria Cross was on display in his old school library when a fire tore through it in 1989. The medal sur-vived and, remarkably, was found among the ashes.

The medal, which had been scorched in the Wesley College blaze and was found by the then deputy principal Alan Storen, is one of the latest three First World War Victoria Crosses to go on display at the Australian War Memorial as part of the Victoria Cross centenary project.

Memorial Director Brendan Nelson said the loan of the medals awarded to Captain Robert Grieve, Lieutenant Clifford Sadlier, and Sergeant Lewis McGee took the number of Australian Victoria Crosses on display in the Hall of Valour to 82.

‘We’re very proud of these men,’ Dr Nelson said.

‘A century on, they continue to inspire us in our everyday lives. We see it every day in Australian life, just everyday Australian men and women who, when the time comes, run towards tragedy to help other human beings. That is the value and importance of these Crosses.’

Grieve was awarded his Victoria Cross for his actions at Messines in Belgium on 7 June 1917. Having already suffered a massive gas attack from the Germans, his company came under sustained fire and was being held up by barbed-wire defences. As the only officer in his company who was not dead

or wounded, Grieve made his way through a gap in the wire to attack a machine-gun post. He had been a good left-arm bowler at school and his well-aimed grenades silenced some of the gunners, allowing him to reach the nearby trench and bomb the rest of the machine-gun crew. Grieve was wounded in the action, but survived the war and contin-ued to host an annual dinner with his men until he died in 1957.

Lieutenant Sadlier’s Victoria Cross was awarded for his actions at Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918, and is on loan from St George’s Cathedral in Perth.

Sergeant McGee’s medal is on loan from the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston. He was awarded his Victoria Cross for his actions ‘in the mud, the slime, and the bloodbath’ at Passchendaele in 1917.

The Victoria Crosses are on loan to the Memorial for six months.

Plaque honours RAF Coastal CommandA new plaque commemorating the service and sacrifice of the members of RAF Coastal Command during the Second World War has been unveiled in the grounds of the Austral-ian War Memorial.

Coastal Command was based in Great Britain and was responsible for all operations over the seas around Great Britain. At the outbreak of hostilities, Coastal Command consisted of three operational groups and one training group, but for most of the war it was organised into five groups. Four of these were operational and responsible for a given geographic area – 15 Group, north-western Atlantic approaches; 16 Group, English Channel; 18 Group, North Sea; and 19 Group, south-western Atlantic approaches and Bay of Biscay. 17 Group was responsible for training.

The RAF Coastal Command plaque is located in the middle of the concrete walkway to the Captain Reg Saunders Courtyard on the western side of the Memorial.

19 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

MEDALS – LOST & FOUND

LOST

8601 Albert Benjamin RiddleSearching for my father’s WWI British and Aust Navy medals. Sydney 1976–1978Contact: Margaret Young 0412 560 167 margyoung8@palmlake.net.au

NX111403, Ernest W Phegan and NFX152925, Kathleen J BradfordSeeking WWII medals of Ernest Phegan, 39–45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal, and Aust Service Medal. Also Kathleen Bradford, War Medal and Aust Service Medal. Believed lost in the Coffs Harbour area within the last year or two.Contact: Lynette Ward 0439 861 694lynward54@gmail.com

NFX294, Captain, Cecilia Macfarlane, and NX76212, Captain, Harold James Edward BarrMy late parents’ service medals were lost/stolen many years ago. My mother served with the 2/1 AGH. My father last served with the 3 Aust Armd Div Tps Coy. Last year I pur-chased my father’s War Medal 1939/45, and his Aust Service Medal 1939/45 from Noble auctions.Contact: Geoff Barr 02 6288 4257 barr_geoff@yahoo.com.au

WWI medals of 568 Lt Col Athol Frederick Burrett Lost medals are Distinguished Service Order, 1914–15 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal. Medals ‘went missing’ when he died on 29 Jan 1965 while working at Gulargam-bone NSW.Contact: Ian Burrett 02 6355 5546 (ring after dark) buzzl@southernphone.com.au

FOUND

A (and either G or B) Rowe, 1738 Seeking the family of A Rowe from WWI who was in the 25th battalion. His medal was found in my father-in-law’s posses-sions after his death.Contact: Marilynn Hetherington 0417 617 343 maljohnau6@optusnet.com.au

1934 Pte W H Greig Found in Townsville – 14/15 Star, 20th BN AIF. Contact: Anthony Ellis 02 6650 0927

W J Corey RAAF 12231 WWI – Returned from Active Service Badge for W J Corey.Contact: Ballina RSL Sub-Branch02 6686 0133office@ballinasubbranch.org

Medals for J D Milgate & J D Bendeich Medals handed in to Ballina RSL Sub-Branch. Found in cloth-ing given to St. Vincent de Paul. Aust Active Service Medal Service No. R107690 for J D Milgate and Vietnam Logistic Medal for J D Bendeich. Contact: Ballina RSL Sub-Branch 02 6686 0133 office@ballinasubbranch.org

N O T I C E B O A R D SR E U N I O N S

HMAS Leeuwin 30th Intake 20–22 Oct 2017, Forster A reunion is being held for the mighty JRTE 30th.Contact: Trevor Watson 02 6554 6974 tvwatson54@dodo.com.au www.facebook.com/ 30thJRTEIntake/

5 Squadron Centenary of Formation20–22 Oct 2017, CanberraAll ex 5 Squadron members and their partners as well as any ex-member of 5 Squadron detachments (regardless of rank or service) are urged to attend this once-in-a-lifetime reunion. Partners of any deceased squadron members are also warmly welcome. Please register your interest at the below website.Contact: Dutchy Holland 07 5522 2255 mholland@ electriciansplus.com.au 5sqn.com.au

1st Armoured Regiment LAD Sections Vietnam 1968-1971 20–22 Oct 2017, Yarrawonga Caravan Park Members who served in C,B,A or C1 LAD sections of the 1st Armoured Regiment Vietnam 1968–1971 are invited.Contact: Russell Cunningham 03 5766 2413 bungie12@bigpond.net.au

21 Const Sqn Puckapunyal FE Troop 21 Oct 2017, Seymour, VIC Seeking any ex sappers who served with 21 Construction Squadron FE troop Puckapu-nyal in the ’70s who would be interested in a reunion. Contact: Bill Thornley 0438 140 759 we.2.bez@bigpond.com

26 Radio Apprentices RAAF27–29 Oct 2017, Maroochydore RSLThe 45th anniversary reunion of the intake joining the RAAF is taking place on the Sun-shine Coast, with a bus trip to the hinterland also organised.Contact: Peter ‘Pygmy’ McAndrew(07) 5444 6165pygmy@iinet.net.au

RAAF GEMS27 – 29 Oct 2017, Nelson Bay Diggers All ex-RAAF Ground Equipment Maintenance Mus-terings are invited to attend. If you served in a GEMS, MTRS, MTMS, GES, GSE, MEOMS you’re welcome to attend. Contact: Greg Lyons - aka Jacko 0413 700 298 or 07 3294 0803 djjacko58@bigpond.com raafreunion@bigpond.com https://sites.google.com/site/airforcegemainc/home/aaa-2017-reunion

RAAF National Gunnies Reunion28–29 Oct 2017, Camp Kurra-jong near Wagga WaggaNational reunion for past and current serving members of the Armament Trade.Contact: Bob Cornwell0417 814 374bobcornwell@bigpond.com

2017 Back to the Bush Vet-erans Reunion30 Oct – 6 Nov 2017, Bruce RockCome along for a week of relaxation, camaraderie, fun & laughter. Come prepared to enjoy real country hospitality. Open to all service personnel.Contact: Ashleigh Waight08 9061 1377cdo@brucerock.wa.gov.auwww.brucerock.wa.gov.au

HMAS Duchess 3 – 5 Nov 2017, Tweed Heads RSL Expected cost will be $200, which includes Fri/Sat night dinner and Sun lunch, and a certain amount of dry till Sat night. Contact Rod Clarey, 0409 267 388 or rod.clarey1@bigpond.comContact: Bruce ‘Bowie’ Bowmaker 0403 243 795 d154shipsoffice@gmail.com

RAASC Vietnam Supply Platoons Assoc 6 – 13 Nov 2017, HobartAttention Galloping Green Grocers aka RAASC-RAAOC Foodstuffs Platoon members. The reunion is in Hobart this year to coincide with Armi-stice Day. The formal dinner will be on 9 Nov, and the ser-vice, plaque laying and AGM on 11 Nov. There are three organised tours as well as other activities and free time.Contact: Christina0430 125 195bamberg01@bigpond.comhttp://raascsupply.asn.au/

9th Battalion RAR 50th Anniversary

13 Nov 2017, Adelaide Details on website below. Contact: Bob Plummer 0403 996 093 9rarsa@gmail.com 9rarsa.com.au

Ballina All Ships Reunion

17 –19 Nov 2017, Ballina RSL The reunion will be held at the Ballina RSL, right on the river in the newly renovated club.Contact: Merv Stevens 02 6681 5620 snake1@exemail.com.au

OCS Class of January 1977 40th Anniversary

8–11 Dec 2017, Queenstown NZ All class members and staff of the era are welcome to attend.Contact: Bob Cooper 0420 626 865 robert.cooper48@gmail.com

WRAAC Association (WA)

10–11 February 2018, PerthReunion of former full-time or CMF members of the WRAAC who served in any capacity in WA. Some billets will be available. Historical data and memorabilia re 14 WRAAC Coy, WRAAC in WA and WRAAC Assoc (WA) needed.Contact: Judy Welch (nee Wills)0412 984 739wraac.wa@gmail.com

Galloping Reds–change of date

10 March 2018, Maroochydore RSL HMAS Melbourne Galloping Reds Rugby Union Team reun-ion, 1200 hours at main bar.Contact: Mick Hunter or Dave Simpson 0414 983 538 or 0410 240 526 michun@optusnet.com.au

HMAS Vampire

17 March 2018, SydneyFull details are available on the HMAS Vampire Facebook page. We encourage all past shipmates of all branches and ranks to attend.Contact: Steve Garside0409 986 683

20 — Vetaffairs Spring 2017

Submissions for the Noticeboard can now be made online by visiting www.dva.gov.au/vetaffairs/noticeboard and completing the online submission form.

Due to space constraints, not all notices can be published in the printed edition of Vetaffairs. Notices may be edited for readability.

DVA does not necessarily endorse the products or services published in the Noticeboard section.

NAV Y

ANZAC/Tobruk Social Club

Any serving or ex-serving member who served on these ships is welcome to join the social club. Contact Albert Boyd 0456 711 943 or Johnny Mansell 0420 987 645.Contact: Neville Devereux 0423 773 352 nozzle9@hotmail.com

Former RAN R95618 ROS Raymond McGuffie

Seeking info on Raymond, formerly of the HMAS Hobart 3rd tour. Contact: Lindsay Drewe 0406 883 820 godsmacked3918@yahoo.com.au

Rocket Torpedo Testing – seeking info

Between May & Dec 1942 with Aust Navy–Alex Err-ington and Doug Flecknoe at Balmoral Torpedo Factory, Garden Island.Contact: Robyne Errington Garnham 0481 327 398 erro32@outlook.com

Seeking Alexander (Alex) Donald

Wish to make contact regarding past event. Noth-ing intrusive, just a catch up call.Contact: Daphne Brydon 07 3358 3332 defv@bigpond.com

Ex Royal Navy/Royal Marines/Commando

The RN Assoc Rockingham & District Branch meets once a month at the Navy Club in Rockingham and holds regular functions. Mem-bership open to all ex-RN/RM and associated military personnel.Contact: Peter Hall 0408 846 768 peter.hall_1@bigpond.com

HMAS Hawkesbury shipmates

Seeking those who served between Oct 1952 & Feb 1953, during the British Nuclear Testing Program.Contact: Russell Hammond 07 4938 8135

ARMY

The Victorian Vietnam VeteransSeeking veterans who attended Merrilands, Reser-voir, Lakeside High Schools and/or played at any of the local football clubs. A Vietnam Veteran, ex Merrilander and player with the North Reser-voir Football club, is seeking this info for local history.Contact: Rod Gallagher03 5672 4226wonthaggirsl@vetrans.org.au

Former RAE mates Seeking Ex 17 Construc-tion Squadron (Svn) Sapper mates 2412414 Patrick Joseph HEANEY and 5714418 Richard George THOMAS (Busselton WA) who served with me at “The Horseshoe” Svn in 1967.Contact: Arend “Dutchy” de Weger 0405 527 574 akdeweger@yahoo.com.au

Kapooka 16 Platoon members Seeking members and staff of Kapooka 16 Platoon (B Coy) who commenced recruit train-ing in March 1979. Contact: Lindsay Cameron lindsay.cameron@dhhs.vic.gov.au

Chris Beer Seeking whereabouts of my Army mate, 1RAR Singapore 1970. Originally from Bur-wood, SydneyContact: Chris Osborn 02 6287 4691 cosborn@grapevine.net.au

Members of l.c.t in 1969/70 Looking for members of the 17 Const Sqn land clearing team. Contact: R D Brown 0400 704 490 robertjack6@bigpond.com

Trooper Lloyd Hamilton Searle VX591 AIF Seeking info or photos relat-ing to Lloyd H Searle. He was a forward scout (2/3 Com-mandos). Fought in Ceylon, Borneo in 1944–45. He also fought in the Middle East 2/2 Field Regiment 6 Division AIF in 1941.Contact: Sue Kirwood (Searle) 0413 254 850boofrotti@gmail.com

Michael Conchie Seeking anyone who served in Vietnam Feb–Nov 1960 with Michael Conchie also known as Mick or Conch.Contact: Lee Conchie conch4749@hotmail.com

Tet Canberra Hotel Saigon – 31 Jan 1968 Seeking guards who were at Canberra Hotel on the night of the Tet Offensive in Janu-ary 1968. I would like to get in touch and discuss that time.Contact: Ron Davis 0427 118 391 nornaj@dodo.com.au

The late Sapper Graham Allwood Comrades of Vietnam War veteran Graham (died Oct 1984 and buried at Barmera Cemetery, SA) are seek-ing members of his family regarding commemoration of his war service. He served as a Combat Engineer Sapper with the 1st Field Squadron, RAE during 1970–71.Contact: Peter Scott 0400 799 577 holdfast279@yahoo.com.au

William Robert Shaw, 54186Seeking my father Bill Shaw. DOB 9/11/1938. Served in Vietnam 17/1/1968–14/1/1969. Staff Sergeant 110 Signal Squadron. Any info would be greatly appreciated.Contact: Darrell Shaw 07 4789 0713 darrelljshaw@gmail.com

Seeking Sgt. Selwyn L Christie (14602)He served on HMAS Sydney with Maj. Ahern, during the Vung Tau trips.Contact: Noel Beattie (Ex Navy) 0408 551 948 nrbeattie@bigpond.com.au

AIR FORCE

Seeking ex 3 Sqn members 17 Feb 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of 3 Sqn deploy-ment to RAAF Butterworth, with Mirage aircraft, on 17 Feb 1969. A reunion of all personnel involved is being considered.Contact: Bill (Blue) Farrell 0266 832 376 farrell3sqn@outlook.com

Bahamas Catalinas Calgary, No.2 Wireless School, Course 70, 1943. Seek-ing surviving members of detachment transferred to Bahamas upon graduation.Contact: Reginald L Kirk-wood (ex 10 Squadron RAAF) 02 9546 3846 regandiris@optusnet.com.au

Bomber Command 89 navigators left 2ED for UK on 28 Dec 1943. 18 were KIA. Do others still survive besides me?Contact: John Eppel 02 9878 3432 johneppel@bigpond.com

RAAF No 33 Fireman’s Course Desperately seeking members of RAAF Class of ‘74 No 33 Fireman’s Course, Point Cook.Contact: Lin Slaughter 0439 750 797 tnl.slaughter@bigpond.com

Bomb Aimer Harold Edward (Bobbie) Burns No. 422144Seeking info to complete service details as follows:1. Embarked Melbourne 7 Sept 1942, arrived Edmonton Canada 2 Oct 19422. Embarked Halifax 22 Oct 1943 to Brighton UK, probably Queen Mary3. Embarked UK 18 May 1945, arrived Sydney 26 June 1945Any details, particularly photo of graduation at No.4 AOS London Ontario, much appreciated.Contact: Bob Smith RAAF 42599207 5444 4776bas992@bigpond.com

Seeking Air Movement PersonnelRAAF Richmond NSW 1971–1976. Hangar guys as well as Load Control. Hopefully to form reunion.Contact: Kev Mezzinam7zina@iprimus.com.au

Seeking members of 66 Pilots CourseAugust 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the graduation of 66 Pilots Course. A reunion is being considered, probably in the Sydney area end of July 2018. Any member or ex-member please make contact to show interest.Contact: Kai Hansen0421 047 668kai.hansen@bigpond.com

Seeking Morris ZamelFor PhD research into airfield defence.Contact: Sean Carwardine0400 703 565carbs99@bigpond.com

MISCELLANEOUS

Malaya VeteransDid you serve in Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore or East Timor post WWII with any Aust or Allied Armed Forces inc 2/30 Bn RAR Rifle Company Butterworth? Sign on now with the National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Assoc Aust Inc. QLD 07 3396 6705; NSW/ACT 02 6258 8988; VIC 0414 238 698; TAS 03 6228 5034; SA/NT 08 8387 1672; WA 0414 238 698.Contact: Owen Marshall

Seeking Drew Hunter book ‘Moments in Thought’ Drew and I were members of Bat-talion 2/12 Infantry and I have been trying to obtain a copy of Vol 1 of his book ‘Moments in Thought’, in particular the Shaggy Ridge reference. Please contact me at 58 Range Road, Sarina QLD 4737.Contact: Leonard Lister 0434 583 181

Seeking Marilyn Jackson re poet Drew Hunter I have Vols 2 and 3 of ‘Moments in Thought’ by poet Drew Hunter (Vetaffairs Winter 2017). If Marilyn would like them, please contact me at PO Box 106, Bega NSW 2550.Contact: Valerie Budnick 02 6494 1282

Nowra TPI Social & Welfare Club The club is seeking new mem-bers. We hold our meetings at the Nowra Ex-Serviceman’s Club Function Room on the 3rd Tues of each month at 11.00am, as well as having regular social out-ings and lunches.Contact: Jack Doulis or Leanne Wehmeier 02 4443 3448 or 02 4443 4038 leannew70@bigpond.com

N O T I C E B O A R D S