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Download the whole Summer 2011 edition |
(PDF 31.2 MB) |
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60th anniversary pilgrimage to Korean battlefields
Eight members of the Korean War veteran community travelled back to the South Korean battlefields in October on a commemorative mission marking the 60th anniversary of major engagements of the War.
MP3 version of 60th anniversary pilgrimage to Korean battlefields (MP3 4.2MB)
Electronic Health Records – coming soon
Veterans and war widows in the Brisbane south, Ipswich and West Moreton areas of Queensland can soon lead the nation in having their own electronic health record to share with the health providers of their choice.
MP3 version of Electronic Health Records - coming soon (MP3 2.5MB) |
(PDF 279 KB) |
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Letters to the Editor
MP3 version of Letters to the Editor (MP3 4.8MB)
New General Managers – Support and Services
Sean Farrelly has been promoted to the position of General Manager Support Division within DVA and Judy Daniel has been promoted to General Manager Services Division. Sean and Judy have been acting in these positions since the departure of Barry Telford and Ken Douglas earlier this year.
MP3 version of New General Managers - Support and Services (MP3 706KB)
Pilot release of MyAccount
A convenient online option will soon be available for members of the veteran community to access DVA and its services. Known as the Choice and Maintainability in Veterans’ Services (CMVS) program, the program will address a growing demand to engage with the Department via the internet.
MP3 version of Pilot release of MyAccount (MP3 1.9MB)
Clarification
On12 August 2011, DVA issued a media release on the 70th anniversary of women’s services and in the Spring 2011 issue of Vetaffairs, we featured an article on Page 5 titled 70th anniversary of women’s services. A number of readers contacted Vetaffairs,questioning why the Voluntary Aid Detachments were overlooked, given 1 January 2011 marked the 70th anniversary of the enlistment of full-time voluntary aids into the Army.
MP3 version of Clarification (MP3 1.6MB)
DVA Christmas and New Year closures
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)—including all Veterans’ Access Network and Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) offices—will be closed from 5pm Friday 23 December 2011 and will reopen at 9am on Tuesday 3 January 2012.
MP3 version of DVA Christmas and New Year closures (MP3 2.4MB) |
(PDF 114 KB) |
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We women suffer just like the boys
Valma Keylar was part of a veteran mission that went to Korea from 20–29 October 2011, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. Valma (or Val as she is widely known) is a quiet and self-effacing 85-year-old lady who had her birthday on 21 October 2011, while on the mission.
MP3 version of We women suffer just like the boys (MP3 4.1MB)
Voluntary Aid Detachments
Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs) were established in Australia during the First World War by members of the Australian Red Cross and the Order of St John, based on the original VAD organisation established in the United Kingdom in 1909. Members received instruction in first aid and home nursing from the St John Ambulance Association.
MP3 version of Voluntary Aid Detachments (MP3 2.9MB)
Have you checked your medications?
In January 2012, more than 75,000 veterans and war widows will receive information about the benefits of a home medication review. Drug interactions are not uncommon and result in a significant proportion of hospital admissions.
MP3 version of Have you checked your medications? (MP3 851KB) |
(PDF 170 KB) |
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Complaints, compliments and feedback
July this year marked the first anniversary of the launch of DVA’s updated feedback management system, which records and tracks complaints and compliments expressed by veterans, their family members and others with an interest in veterans’ issues.
MP3 version of Complaints, compliments and feedback (MP3 1.3MB)
Telehealth – modernising health care
The Government’s Telehealth initiative commenced on 1 July this year with the introduction of new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items and incentive payments, for online specialist consultations via video conferencing.
MP3 version of Telehealth - modernising health care (MP3 2.1MB)
ESO Round Table and PMAC – what are they?
Traditionally, DVA (and the Repatriation and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commissions) has always had various arrangements for consulting with the ex-service community but this was formalised in 2008 under a new consultation framework.
MP3 version of ESO Round Table and PMAC - what are they? (MP3 6.1MB)
New generation Prime Ministerial Advisory Council announced
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, recently announced a reshaped Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Ex-Service Matters. The Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Ex-Service Matters was established in 2008 to advise the Prime Minister and Government on strategic and complex matters affecting the ex-service and defence communities.
MP3 version of New generation Prime Ministerial Advisory Council announced (MP3 2.1MB) |
(PDF 58 KB) |
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War widows mentioned in NSW Parliament
The Hon. Charlie Lynn MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans’ Affairs, addressed the NSW Parliament on 12 October 2011. His speech was widely applauded by war widows across the nation.
MP3 version of War widows mentioned in NSW Parliament (MP3 3.3MB)
Regional War Widows celebrate
War widows in two large regional NSW centres – Lismore and Newcastle – have recently celebrated their clubs’ 60th anniversaries. The Lismore War Widows’ Guild Club and the Newcastle War Widows’ Guild Club were both established in June 1951 and have supported war widows in their respective areas for 60 years.
MP3 version of Region War Widows celebrate (MP3 884KB)
Golden Key Seminars
“The Golden Key” is the name of the half day seminar being conducted by the Veterans’ Access Network (VAN) in the DVA Melbourne Office specifically for recent war widows.
MP3 version of Golden Key Seminars (MP3 2.1MB)
Enjoying the Queensland sun
More than 200 Queensland war widows descended on Mackay in September for a Friendship Day hosted by the Mackay sub-branch of the War Widows’ Guild. Widows came from as far as Cairns, the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and areas in between.
MP3 version of Enjoying the Queensland sun (MP3 1.1MB)
Norfolk Island
War widows live all over Australia and in some external territories, such as Norfolk Island, a small island in the Pacific Ocean. In 1901, the island became a part of the Commonwealth of Australia, administered as an external territory and in 1979 Norfolk was granted limited self-government by Australia, under which the island elects a government that runs most of the island’s affairs.
MP3 version of Norfolk Island (MP3 1.4MB) |
(PDF 193 KB) |
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Appointment of Anzac Centenary Advisory Board
The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac, Warren Snowdon, recently appointed the membership of the Anzac Centenary Advisory Board.
MP3 version of Appointment of Anzac Centenary Advisory Board (MP3 5.7MB)
Dr Killer's column – A few thoughts for Christmas
Looking back on 2011, there are changes afoot in many areas of health including the hospital sector, general practice and, importantly, aged care. In terms of veterans’ health, without question, the key item on the agenda has been mental health.
MP3 version of Dr Killer's column - a few thoughts for Christmas (MP3 3.6MB) |
(PDF 132 KB) |
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Rehabilitation and compensation overhaul
In recent years, the rehabilitation and compensation claims process under the newer Acts – has been criticised for being complex, unwieldy and slow. That is why the 2011-12 Federal Budget included $3.4 million for an overhaul of the rehabilitation and compensation claims process.
MP3 version of Rehabilitation and compensation overhaul (MP3 995KB)
Clean Energy – assistance for the veteran community
The Government’s carbon price package passed through Parliament on 9 November 2011, enabling the introduction of a price on carbon from 1 July 2012. The Household Assistance Package will assist with the increased cost of living, due to the introduction of a price on carbon. This will help approximately 350,000 members of the veteran community.
MP3 version of Clean Energy - assistance for the veteran community (MP3 6.9MB)
Veterans’ Health Week a success
Veterans’ Health Week has once again passed with flying colours with more than 10,000 people attending over 160 events across the country. Running from 24 – 30 October, the theme this year focused on the mental wellness of our veteran community.
MP3 version of Veterans' Health Week a success (MP3 1.7MB)
Debunking the myths – DVA’s Rehabilitation Services
MP3 version of Debunking the myths - DVA's Rehabilitation Services (MP3 2.7MB) |
(PDF 109 KB) |
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First World War portraits revealed
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, presented the digitised photographs of 500 Australian First World War diggers to the National Archives of Australia on 4 November. The images will be a valuable piece of the puzzle for many Australians tracing their family history, helping to put a face to the name of a long-lost relative and ensuring the links to our wartime past remain strong.
MP3 version of First World War portraits revealed (MP3 2.4MB)
RSL upgrade – Sandakan Memorial Park, Sabah Malaysia
The Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG) received information from Sabah Forestry that some of the local heroes’ names had been omitted from the Returned and Services League (RSL) memorial plaques located within the Sandakan Memorial Park.
Lookouts at Hellfire Pass, Thailand
Work was recently completed on the lookouts above Konyu Cutting in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Konyu Cutting is infamous as the site that gave Hellfire Pass its name. The cutting, along with others in the area, was excavated at the behest of the Japanese during the Second World War as part of the notorious Burma-Thailand Railway.
MP3 version of RSL upgrade - Sandakan Memorial Park, Sabah Malaysia and Lookouts at Hellfire Pass, Thailand (MP3 1.9MB)
Keeping in touch when your hearing goes
It is particularly nice to phone relatives and old friends during the festive season – especially those we don’t see all that often. For most of us, keeping in touch (or getting in touch) is an important part of the Christmas spirit. But for people with severe hearing or speech impairments, making a simple phone call can be a bridge too far.
MP3 version of Keeping in touch when you hearing goes (MP3 2.9MB)
New booklet for mental fitness
A new booklet promoting mental fitness and resilience will help current and former serving members and their families with the challenges in transitioning from military to civilian life.
MP3 version of New booklet for mental fitness (MP3 2.8MB) |
(PDF 95 KB) |
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ADF and APS members – exposed to asbestos?
Defence is concerned about the impact on the health of current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and Australian Public Service (APS) employees who may have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their Defence employment.
MP3 version of ADF and APS members - exposed to asbestos? (MP3 1.1MB)
Extraordinary service
In a ceremony held at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, DVA’s Bill Slape, a Vietnam veteran locally employed by DVA in Thailand, was presented the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Operations Medal by Deputy Commissioner Michael Phelan for his efforts in support of the AFP tsunami relief operation in Thailand in December 2004.
MP3 version of Extraordinary service (MP3 1.1MB)
Aged Care complaints – reforms
Approved providers of aged care services do their best to provide quality care and services for older Australians. However, issues can occur, so we need to ensure that people can raise their concerns in a constructive and supported way.
MP3 version of Aged Care complaints - reforms (MP3 4.1MB)
Using bed poles safely
Many veterans and war widows use a bed pole (also known as a bed stick) to help them move safely when they enter and exit their bed as well as when they need to reposition themselves within the bed. These devices are simple and effective to use.
MP3 version of Using bed poles safely (MP3 2.4MB)
Study into adoption
Researchers from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) are seeking participants for a nation-wide study into past adoption experiences. It will be the largest study of this nature ever conducted in Australia.
MP3 version of Study into adoption (MP3 2.1MB)
Facebook and tweets
DVA is now on Facebook and Twitter! Facebook is a popular social networking site, where registered users can elect to “like” the Department’s page. This allows followers to receive up-to-date news and events as they are posted by the Department. Meanwhile, Twitter is a popular “microblogging” site, where registered users make short “tweets” of 140 characters or less.
MP3 version of Facebook and tweets (MP3 1.1MB) |
(PDF 86 KB) |
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Publications available now
2012 DVA calendar: The War Comes Home: 1942
Hall of Memory booklet
ANZACs on the Western Front: The Australian War Memorial Battlefield Guide
ANZAC: Australians at War in World War Two, 3 DVD set
MP3 version of Publications available now (MP3 5.7MB)
Medals Lost & Found
MP3 version of Medals Lost & Found (MP3 1.6MB) |
(PDF 222 KB) |
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Reunion notices
MP3 version of Reunion notices (MP3 8.1MB)
Off the Shelf
MP3 version of Off the Shelf (MP3 11.2MB) |
(PDF 75 KB) |
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Noticeboard
MP3 version of Noticeboard (MP3 450KB)
MP3 version of Airforce noticeboard (MP3 1.8MB)
MP3 version of Army noticeboard (MP3 3.4MB)
MP3 version of Navy noticeboard (MP3 1.5MB)
MP3 version of Miscellaneous notice board and The Veteran Community Story Writing and Art Competition (MP3 11.2MB)
The Veteran Community Story Writing and Art Competition
MP3 version of Miscellaneous notice board and The Veteran Community Story Writing and Art Competition (MP3 11.2MB) |
(PDF 500 KB) |