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Record budget for veterans’ affairs
Veterans’ affairs funding has increased to record levels in the 2008–09 Federal Budget.
Veterans’ families to take part in world-first study
Vietnam era asking them to take part in a groundbreaking study of the health of Australia’s veteran community.
Home care to continue
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs has assured the future of Veterans’ Home Care as he released a review of the program’s capacity to meet the changing needs of veterans and war widows.
Vietnam battles remembered
The 40th anniversary of one of Australia’s costliest battles of the Vietnam War was commemorated in ceremonies all over the country in May.
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Changes for Vetaffairs
DVA will no longer publish a December issue of Vetaffairs.
Letters to the Editor
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Light Horsemen honoured
Veterans of the Australian Light Horse travelled to Israel to commemorate their forebears’ heroic charge at Beersheba in October 1917.
Mental health support online
Veterans, serving members and their families can find mental health information and support online as part of a DVA initiative designed to improve awareness and understanding of mental health issues.
Better wound care for veterans
DVA has released a new resource kit to help doctors, community nurses and allied health professionals improve the management of wounds suffered by veterans and war widows.
DVA to run home subsidy scheme
DVA has won the right to administer Defence’s new home loan subsidy scheme, further strengthening its links with Defence and Australian Defence Force members.
DVA acts to protect your privacy
Third-party representatives of often elderly and frail veterans provide great assistance to both their clients and DVA. However, to protect veterans’ privacy, the department must check the representative’s identity and that they have authority to act on behalf of the veteran.
No age criteria for war widows’ income support supplement
Eligibility for the income support supplement has been extended, subject to the passage of legislation.
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Changed eligibility rules for partner service pension
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs Budget contains two changes to eligibility for the partner service pension, subject to the passage of legislation.
Ex-service groups benefit
Ex-service organisations across Australia will have access to additional financial assistance for their work supporting the veteran community.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card to change
The 2008-09 Budget included three changes affecting Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holders which will take effect over the next 12 months, subject to passage of legislation.
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Bursaries awarded to veterans’ children
Children of Vietnam veterans across the country will find tertiary study a little easier with the help of the Australian Government’s Long Tan Bursaries.
Memorial service for Sydney crew
Hundreds of relatives of the men who died on board the HMAS Sydney attended a national memorial service in Sydney on 24 April.
Allowances to be paid in July
Eligible DVA beneficiaries will receive the second quarterly instalment of the seniors concession allowance, utilities allowance and telephone allowance on pension payday 3 July 2008.
Income and assets test limits rise
From 1 July 2008 the Income Free Areas and Assets Value Limits will rise.
Australian War Memorial column
New exhibition Icon and Archive: Photography and the World Wars
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Funds to honour local heroes
The Australian Government has funded more than 100 projects across the country to help local communities to honour Australia’s sacrifices in war.
Stories of battle and hardship released
DVA has released the fourth title in the popular five-part series, Australians on the Western Front, and an updated edition of its history of Japan’s brutal prisoner of war camp at Sandakan, Borneo.
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Dawn Service held in France
The Australian Government will hold annual Anzac Day services on the Western Front after the success of this year’s special Anzac Day commemorations at Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Thousands honour Gallipoli campaign
Large crowds have attended Anzac Day services at significant sites around the world and at War Cemeteries in Australia.
Office of Australian War Graves column
- Other Anzac Day services
- Move proposed for Madang memorial
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Survey finds veterans, war widows in good shape
A survey of the health and wellbeing of veterans and war widows has found that they are generally fit and healthy with active social lives despite most being over 75 with chronic conditions that limit their mobility and communication.
Funding to restore overseas memorials
War memorials in Europe, Asia and the South West Pacific built in honour of Australian servicemen and women who died far from home will be restored with the help of Australian Government funds.
SA remembers WW1 diggers
The South Australian National Football League’s Anzac Day match at Adelaide Oval each year pays tribute to former players who served in war.
Art prize for Repat’s 90th
Veterans, war widows and current DVA staff are invited to display their talent in a special art competition. The DVA Art Competition is one of many activities during 2008 to mark the 90th anniversary of the Repatriation Commission.
Funds raised to benefit Kokoda Track
DVA staff hope to raise $25,000 to support the Kokoda Track Foundation in a special initiative to mark the 90th anniversary of the Australian repatriation system.
Telstra offers priority services
Severely ill Telstra residential customers may be entitled to potentially life-saving service and repairs under the carrier’s priority assistance service.
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Granddaughters on Turks’ VIP list
Relatives of soldiers who fought at Gallipoli, including the granddaughter of the campaign’s last Australian survivor, have taken part in Turkey’s commemoration of its great 1915 naval victory of Canakkale in the Dardanelles.
Quality award for MATES
DVA’s medicines advice program has won the 2008 national Quality Use of Medicines award.
Use of health services revealed
Veterans living in the community are more likely to consult a specialist and spend less time in a hospital than those living in residential aged care, an Australian Government study of gold cardholders has revealed.
Allowances for medical travel to rise
Travel allowances for transport, meals and accommodation under DVA’s Repatriation Transport Scheme will increase from 1 July 2008 in line with Consumer Price Index figures.
Changes to aged care funding take effect
Changes to funding arrangements for Australia’s residential aged care system took effect on 20 March 2008.
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Dr Killer’s column
Sleep, dreams and sleeping behaviours
Off the Shelf
Medals Lost and Found
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New education guide
DVA has released a new education resource looking at the part Australian women have played in the country’s conflicts.
Reunions
Noticeboard (continued)
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Noticeboard |
