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Download the whole June edition |
(PDF 1.36MB) |
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Budget 2011-12 – New initiatives for veterans
DVA’s allocation of 2011-12 Federal Budget is $12.3 billion, an increase of $200 million from last year. It provides $60.7 million in funding for new initiatives for Australian veterans and their families.
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Veterans return – 70th anniversary of the Battle of Greece and Crete
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, travelled to Greece and Crete in May with six Australian Second World War veterans to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Greece and Crete.
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(PDF 194KB) |
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Letters to the Editor
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DVA senior staff movements
Russell McLaughlan, DVA’s Deputy Commissioner in Western Australia has retired from DVA after 41 years. Russell joined DVA in 1970 in the Victorian office, setting him on a career path which has seen him work in all major areas of the Department.
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Contacting Vetaffairs
The editor of Vetaffairs receives a large number of story suggestions and requests from readers. With a readership in excess of 300,000, it is difficult to consider (and respond to) all messages and correspondence.
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New income and assets test limits
From 1 July 2011 the Income Free Areas and Assets Value Limits will rise.
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Receive Vetaffairs electronically
If you would like to receive your copy of Vetaffairs electronically, please visit the DVA website www.dva.gov.au and click on the Vetaffairs link on the home page.
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(PDF 94KB) |
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70th Anniversary of the Siege of Tobruk
Veterans of the Second World War gathered in Canberra on Sunday 10 April to mark the 70th anniversary of the Siege of Tobruk. The Siege of Tobruk took place in the Western Desert of North Africa in 1941 at the height of the Second World War.
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Vietnam Veterans centre in US
On 8 March 2011, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, announced the Australian Government’s election commitment of $3.3 million towards a world-first education centre in Washington DC honouring Vietnam veterans.
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Centenary of Anzac – report released
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac Warren Snowdon, have welcomed a report on ways to pay tribute to the Anzac Centenary and a century of military service since the First World War.
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The seniors’ Work Bonus
The Government is making a number of improvements to the existing seniors’ Work Bonus, which was introduced in September 2009 as part of its Secure and Sustainable Pension Reform package.
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(PDF 101KB) |
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New health and wellbeing website
www.wellbeingtoolbox.net.au – a new health and wellbeing website and new additions to the touchbase website are now available to help the veteran community through everyday problems and reconnect with other ex-service men and women, their families and friends.
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Veterans Service Centre – the next stage
The December 2010 and March 2011 issues of Vetaffairs reported on plans to expand the Veterans Service Centre (VSC) – the Department’s first point of contact general enquiry service.
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Secrets of Gallipoli unveiled
The first phase of fieldwork in the most significant archaeological survey of the battlefields of Gallipoli since the First World War has been completed.
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Japanese war records offered
The Australian Government has welcomed (then) Japanese Foreign Minister Maehara’s apology to Australian Prisoners of War (POWs) for the horrors they endured under Japanese control during the Second World War.
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DVA’s online services growing
DVA will soon provide a number of its services online for clients and providers.
The Booked Car With Driver (BCWD) service under the Repatriation Transport Scheme is the first of many services that will be accessible to clients and providers online.
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(PDF 88KB) |
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60th annual Anzac Field of Remembrance
The War Widows’ Guild of Australia held its 60th annual Anzac Field of Remembrance in Sydney on 19 April 2011.
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The Widow’s Legacy
Artist, Peter Smeeth, entered this painting in the 2011Gallipoli Art Prize competition. The competition encourages artists to capture the spirit of Gallipoli and its values.
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Women’s Quick Health Check for the over 50s
See how you manage your health and wellbeing with this quick quiz
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(PDF 170KB) |
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Australians gather to commemorate Anzac Day
Australians across the globe gathered to commemorate Anzac Day, acknowledging those who have served and died for our country in war, conflicts and peace operations.
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Anzac Day at Sandakan
With a special focus on those who lost their lives in Sabah during the Second World War, this year saw the fifth official Anzac Day service at the Sandakan Memorial Park, Malaysia.
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Online audio guide for Sandakan Memorial Park, Malaysia
The OAWG and Narrowcasters Pty Ltd have produced an audio guide for the Sandakan Memorial Park in Sabah, Malaysia.
Overseas Privately Constructed Memorial Restoration Program The Overseas Privately Constructed Memorial Restoration Program (OPCMRP) aims to assist Australian veterans and other individuals in the restoration and preservation of existing military unit and battle memorials that have been constructed overseas.
Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front
The Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front is an international project aimed at improving visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the achievements and sacrifices of Australians in the main theatre of conflict during the First World War.
Men’s Health Peer Education turns 10!
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs Men’s Health Peer Education (MHPE) program celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
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(PDF 91KB) |
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Debunking the myths – That all peacetime service in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is covered by just one piece of legislation.
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Home power savings
Jean and Jack Filbee from Sydney have joined many other Department of Veterans’ Affairs card holders and have taken-up the offer of a free home energy assessment and Power Savings Kit.
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Shell-shocked: Australia After Armistice
The Whitlam Institute is proud to host Shell-shocked: Australia After Armistice for its first Sydney showing.
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(PDF 82KB) |
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Dr Killer's column – CVC – What does it mean?
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Increase to travel allowances
From 1 July 2011 travel allowances for transport, meals and accommodation under the Repatriation Transport Scheme (RTS) will increase in line with the Consumer Price Index.
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(PDF 90KB) |
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Veterans’ Health Week
24-30 October 2011
Veterans’ Health Week is a fun opportunity for veterans, war widows, widowers, family members and the broader community to celebrate the strengths of the veteran community such as friendship, resilience and leadership.
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Gulf War Veterans’ Health Study
A follow-up health study of approximately 3000 service personnel who participated in the 2000-2003 Australian Gulf War Veterans’ Health Study will be conducted this year by a research team based at Monash University.
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Alcohol and Mental Health
It’s easy to forget that alcohol is a drug. It might be legal, but drinking too much can adversely affect you and the people you are with. Gender, age, mental health, drug use and existing medical conditions can change how alcohol affects you — and the more you drink, the greater the risk.
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Family Study – updates
Timor-Leste Family Study (TLFS)
The TLFS aims to determine any physical, mental or social health impacts on military families as a result of military service and of deployment, particularly to Timor-Leste.
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(PDF 102KB) |
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Publications available now
Greece and Crete (Australians in World War II)
War Wounds: Medicine and the Trauma of Conflict
Dedication of the National Servicemens’ Memorial (DVD)
Both Sides of the Wire
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Medals Lost & Found
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(PDF 122KB) |
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News from the AWM
Big Things in Store
The popular open day Big Things in Store will be held at the Australian War Memorial’s Conservation Annexe at Mitchell in Canberra on 18 September 2011 from 10am – 3pm.
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Annual international conference 2011
Often overlooked as the "forgotten" conflict of the Cold War era, the Korean War will be the focus of the Australian War Memorial’s 2011 annual international conference, co-hosted by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Reunions
Nashos to reunite
Townsville will host a huge reunion of National Servicemen over four days of celebrations and commemorations in September this year.
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(PDF 75KB) |
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Noticeboard
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Air Force MP3
Army MP3
Navy MP3
Miscellaneous MP3
Off the Shelf |
(PDF 70KB) |