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31 Dec 2015	Answering The Call Photos from the 'Answering The Call' statue unveiling are now on the website. You can browse through them in the Gallery page.....
31 Dec 2015	End of year message from Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin. "During the Centenary of Anzac, the men and women of the Australian Defence Force have honoured our military ancestors with hard work and commitment to service. This was evident in the unprecedented number of Australian Defence Force personnel who supported more than 1,400 Anzac Day commemorations at home and abroad. It is also evident in the work they do every day - from operations and exercises through to the activities supported in the local community. More.....
31 Dec 2015	Australian Defence Force support to Iraqi Forces in Ramadi The Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral David Johnston, has congratulated the Iraqi Forces on retaking key territory in Ramadi and highlighted the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the operation. After months of fighting through the complex urban environment, the Counter Terrorism Service 1st Iraqi Special Operations Force Brigade (1st ISOF) raised the Iraq flag over the Government buildings this week, symbolising the liberation of Ramadi on 28 December 2015. More.....
30 Dec 2015	HMAS Darwin deploys for the Middle East Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull joined Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN, and friends and family at Garden Island, Sydney, today, to farewell the 229 Royal Australian Navy personnel onboard HMAS Darwin as the ship sailed for the Middle East region. Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer, CSC and Bar, RAN, spoke to the assembled crowd and noted that while most Australians were spending the festive season with their loved ones, Darwin was deploying on an important mission, conducting counter terrorism, counter piracy and narcotics interdiction operations on behalf of Australian people. More.....
29 Dec 2015	HMAS Melbourne makes fourth drug seizure of successful deployment HMAS Melbourne personnel have completed a fourth successful drug seizure for Operation MANITOU after seizing 118kg of heroin from a fishing vessel in the Indian Ocean. The ship’s boarding party completed a thorough search of the vessel on 26 December and discovered 118kg of drugs hidden inside which was subsequently transported onboard HMAS Melbourne for further analysis and disposal. More.....
22 Dec 2015	STS Young Endeavour completes world circumnavigation The Royal Australian Navy operated Sail Training Ship (STS) Young Endeavour sailed into Fremantle today, completing a year-long circumnavigation of the world. Assistant Minister for Defence Darren Chester was in Western Australia to welcome the seafarers back to Australian soil and personally congratulate members of the Royal Australian Navy crew and the 24 young Australians who sailed the ship on the last leg across the Indian Ocean from Cape Town, in South Africa. More.....
22 Dec 2015	Navy League of Australia (Vic Div) December newsletter is now available to download.....
21 Dec 2015	NVN's December newsletter NOTE from Webmaster: If you are a member and haven't been receiving your monthly newsletters by email, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date. To correct this, contact the webmaster at: and he will copy and amend your address.
21 Dec 2015	Minister for Defence – Joint Communique – Third Australia-Indonesia 2+2 Dialogue The Australian and Indonesian Foreign and Defence Ministers held the third 2+2 Dialogue on 21 December 2015 in Sydney, Australia. They had a wide ranging discussion on bilateral, regional and global issues of common concern. More.....
21 Dec 2015	Soundings Papers: Issue No.7 According to some assessments, by 2030 Australia could be left with no domestic refining capacity, less than 20 days’ worth of refined petroleum fuel reserves, and the reality that the Australian Defence Force will be entirely reliant on imports for its marine diesel oil, motor diesel, gasoline, jet and helicopter fuel requirements. Download.....
21 Dec 2015	Naval Historical Society of Australia (Vic Div) President's December Musings is now available to download.....
18 Dec 2015	Transcript – Press conference with Chief of Joint Operations VADM David Johnston and CO Task Group Taji COL Matthew Galton – Update on Australian Defence Force operations – 18 December 2015. Read.....
17 Dec 2015	Move to improve Veterans’ Affairs systems Driving information and communications technology (ICT) and systems improvements to help reduce claim processing times for veterans is a priority for the Australian Government. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Stuart Robert, said improving the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) computer systems would have tangible benefits for veterans. More.....
17 Dec 2015	Community Consultation now open for Toowoomba and Wodonga VAN Shopfronts The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is asking ex-service organisations, DVA service providers and members of the veteran and ex-service communities to have their say about how best to deliver in-person services at Toowoomba in Queensland and Wodonga in Victoria. The consultation period will run until 20 January 2016. More.....
17 Dec 2015	HMAS Melbourne nets another $64 million of heroin HMAS Melbourne has struck a third time against the trafficking of narcotics in the Middle East confiscating another 216 kilograms of high-grade heroin worth an estimated $64 million. The seizure takes the Royal Australian Navy’s narcotics haul since February 2014 to over 5 tonnes and to almost $664 million for 2015. Melbourne’s Commanding Officer, Commander Bill Waters, said the intercept was a great success for the ship and her boarding teams. More.....
17 Dec 2015	Veterans honoured by French Seventy years after the end of the Second World War Two, five Australian veterans were recognised with the Légion d'honneur onboard the French frigate Vendémiaire, alongside Garden Island, Sydney. French Ambassador to Australia, H.E. Mr Christophe Lecourtier, and Commander of the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia, Major General Philippe Leonard, decorated the Australian veterans who fought for the liberation of France during the war. More.....
17 Dec 2015	Minister for Defence – Defence Teaming Centre breakfast – Adelaide, South Australia Subjects: Shipbuilding, submarines, Defence White Paper. Read the minister's speech.....
17 Dec 2015	Shipbuilding – Getting on with the job Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Marise Payne today confirmed that the Competitive Evaluation Processes have now commenced for the Future Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). “The Turnbull Government is committed to ensuring Australia has a strong and sustainable shipbuilding industry. We are getting on with the job,’’ Minister Payne said. “Defence is now conducting an analysis of mature ship designs for each project. More.....
17 Dec 2015	Minister for Defence – Doorstop interview – Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC), North Osbourne, South Australia. Read.....
16 Dec 2015	Overseas deployment positive experience for ADF mothers Australian Defence Force servicewomen with dependent children who served in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) found their experience of deployment positive and self-validating, according to research released today by Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Stuart Robert, and Assistant Minister for Defence, Darren Chester. More.....
14 Dec 2015	DVA Service Arrangements for the Christmas and New Year period The Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Veterans’ Access Network (VAN) offices will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period from Friday 25 December 2015 to Friday 1 January 2016 inclusive. The Department will re-open for normal business on Monday 4 January 2016. As in previous years, DVA services over the Christmas-New Year period will be provided through the Department’s after-hours arrangements, similar to those in place for the Easter break, public holidays and weekends. More.....
14 Dec 2015	$1.46 Million to improve PTSD treatment for current and former Australian Defence Force members The Australian Government will invest $1.46m in a research project to enhance treatment programs for current and former Australian military personnel with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a bid to improve their mental health and wellbeing and better support their families. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has awarded a four-year partnership project grant to Phoenix Australia, Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health to work in collaboration with the Department of Defence and Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) on world-leading research to improve PTSD treatment. More.....
13 Dec 2015	Milne Bay survey a wealth of history and culture HMAS Leeuwin's ship's company had been conducting hydrographic survey operations off the south-east coast of Papua New Guinea for a number of weeks, when a resupply visit to Alotau gave the crew a chance to reflect on Australian service past. Maritime Logistics Officer, Lieutenant Nicole Francis, said the visit to the capital of Milne Bay Province was for fuel and stores, but provided a port visit rich in Second World War history, due to the Battle of Milne Bay in 1942. More.....
11 Dec 2015	ANZAC Naval Commemorative Ball 2015 donates proceeds to the Shrine On 17th October 2015 the NCCV held the ANZAC Naval Commemorative Ball at Flemington Racecourse. All proceeds from this event went to the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. The picture shows CDRE Jim Dickson AM MBE RAN Ret'd, CMDR John Goss RAN, Petty Officer Carmel Tom and ex-CPOCK David Dwyer presenting a cheque for $12,317.57 to the new CEO of the Shrine, Dean Lee. David Dwyer and Carmel Tom worked tirelessly to ensure the event was the huge success that it was.
10 Dec 2015	Veterans Skype counselling pilot under way The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Stuart Robert, has announced the Veterans and Veterans’ Families Counselling Service (VVCS) is conducting a new study into the effectiveness of online mental health counselling services. “We want to make VVCS’s vital counselling and support services as widely available as possible, particularly to eligible veterans and Australian Defence Force (ADF) members in regional and remote Australia,” Mr Robert said. More.....
10 Dec 2015	ADF at the helm of maritime counter-terrorism taskforce Australia has assumed command of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) as part of Operation MANITOU in the Middle East Region after a Transition of Authority from the Pakistan Navy. Royal Australian Navy Commodore Jaimie Hatcher assumed command of CTF 150 from Rear Admiral Muhammad Moazzam Ilyas SI(M), of the Pakistan Navy at a ceremony at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain on 8 December 2015. More.....
09 Dec 2015	DVA due for dental and allied health check-up Arrangements for a major review of the dental and allied health services provided to veterans were announced today by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Stuart Robert. “The Government is committed to ensuring that clients of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) continue to receive dental and allied health services that are effective, appropriate and of a high standard,” Mr Robert said. More.....
08 Dec 2015	Community grants boost veteran health and wellbeing projects The Government has recently awarded over $822,000 to ex-service organisations around Australia to support community projects that will enhance the lives of many in the veteran community. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Stuart Robert, said he was pleased to support 45 grants that would directly benefit veterans and their families. More.....
08 Dec 2015	Air Warfare Destroyer – a clear way forward The Government is putting in place long term arrangements to ensure the future success of the Air Warfare Destroyer project and address the legacy of unresolved issues inherited from the previous Labor government. Following a limited tender process, Navantia SA has been selected to bring an experienced shipbuilding management team into ASC Pty Ltd (ASC) to maximise program performance through to the end of the three ships’ construction. Navantia will also locate a design team in the Osborne shipyard. More.....
07 Dec 2015	Interdependence, Alliance and the Winning Edge Chief of Navy Speech to the Lowy Institute for International Policy, Sydney The defence of the nation, together with provision of the physical, economic and social security of the citizens, are the central planks that support the legitimacy, credibility and authority of any government. They are also at the heart of the contract between the people and their government. We in Australia have been blessed. More.....
07 Dec 2015	Cerberus takes out Meek award again The Annual Bradley Meek Perpetual Shield was awarded for the second consecutive year to an Instructor from the Royal Australian Navy School of Survivability and Ship Safety (RANSSSS) Training Facility – South, at HMAS Cerberus, Victoria. The Bradley Meek Perpetual Shield is awarded in honour of Leading Seaman Marine Technician Meek, who perished during the main machinery space fire onboard HMAS Westralia on the 5th of May 1998. More.....
05 Dec 2015	Cape Class ships join the Fleet The Royal Australian Navy has quietly introduced a new capability into its patrol boat fleet this year, with two Cape Class Patrol Boats being brought in to complement Navy’s Armidale Class Patrol Boat capability. The two Cape Class boats – ADV Cape Byron and ADV Cape Nelson – have been loaned to Navy by the Australian Border Force in order to support an intensive program of maintenance for the remaining 13 Armidale Class vessels which has recently commenced and to fill the gap created by the loss of HMAS Bundaberg in a fire. More.....
04 Dec 2015	HMAS Melbourne seizes more than $44.5 million of heroin HMAS Melbourne recently seized 151 kilograms of heroin worth an estimated $AUD44.5 million from a dhow off the east coast of Africa. The drug haul is the second for HMAS Melbourne’s current deployment to the Middle East region, bringing the total weight of heroin seized to more 578 kilograms in two months. More.....
04 Dec 2015	*HMAS Adelaide* enters service** HMAS Adelaide, the second of two Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs) built for the Royal Australian Navy, was commissioned into the Fleet today, alongside Garden Island, Sydney. The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, together with the Minister for Defence, Senator the Honourable Marise Payne, and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, attended the traditional ceremony held on Adelaide's aircraft hangar deck. More.....
04 Dec 2015	Applications open for 2016 Fromelles and Pozières commemorations July 2016 will mark 100 years since the Battles of Fromelles and Pozières on the Western Front, and from today Australians will be able to apply to attend the services in France to commemorate these important events as part of the Anzac Centenary. “To ensure safe attendance at small cemetery and memorial sites, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is managing a registration process open only to Australian citizens and permanent residents seeking attendance passes for the services, available only until all passes are allocated. More.....
03 Dec 2015	Deputy Chief of Navy inspects Navy’s finest new officers After nineteen weeks of intensive training, seventy-nine Naval Officers from New Entry Officers' Course 53 graduated from the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell today. Deputy Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Michael van Balen, reviewed the Passing Out Parade, on his final visit to the College before retiring from permanent service. More.....
03 Dec 2015	Hastings welcomes armed men and women of HMAS Cerberus When 700 Australian Defence Force members from HMAS Cerberus marched through Main Street, Hastings, Victoria on Saturday, they weren't just re-enacting a tradition; they were acknowledging a shared sense of community and history reaching back 95 years to when sailors first started training in the area at Flinders Naval Base. With the ship's company dressed in ceremonial whites, Cerberus exercised its right of Freedom of Entry to the City of Hastings. More.....
02 Dec 2015	New eLearning programs to improve veterans’ health care A new posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) eLearning program for mental health providers will help improve treatment for former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Stuart Robert, said the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) developed the PTSD Psychological Interventions Program in response to research that found up to a third of providers did not practise evidence-based treatment for PTSD. More.....
30 Nov 2015	'Answering the Call' statue unveiling at the Port of Melbourne I commence my address by remembering and saluting the naval service and the life’s work of the late LCDR Mackenzie J Gregory, the former President of the Naval Heritage Foundation. It is very good to have Mac’s family with us for this unveiling of his legacy. “Mac” started at the RAN College as a Cadet Midshipman in 1936. He survived the sinking of HMAS Canberra and was aboard HMAS Shropshire in Tokyo Bay when the surrender was signed in 1945. More.....
30 Nov 2015	Ministerial Statement - Centenary of Anzac National Program I ask leave of the House to make a Ministerial Statement relating to the Centenary of Anzac national program. It is with great pleasure that I rise to deliver this Ministerial Statement—my first as the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of Anzac—to apprise the House of the Government’s continued commitment to commemorating the Centenary of Anzac. More.....
30 Nov 2015	Statement on the use of mefloquine in the ADF Defence would like to reassure past and present members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) who might be concerned about recent media reports on the use of the anti-malarial drug mefloquine (also known by its trade name Lariam^TM). The health and well-being of our people is our highest priority. Our duty of care responsibility is one of the reasons why there is a range of preventative health options available for personnel deploying to malaria affected areas. More.....
30 Nov 2015	Future Submarine program enters next phase Evaluation of Australia’s Future Submarine program proposals will now commence with all three potential international partners submitting their proposals in full, Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Marise Payne announced. “The Government’s Competitive Evaluation Process remains on schedule with Defence receiving submissions from DCNS of France, TKMS of Germany, and the Government of Japan by the 30 November 2015 closing deadline,’’ Senator Payne said. More.....
30 Nov 2015	*HMAS Canberra* conducts first Replenishment at Sea during FCP15** Less than one year after its commissioning, HMAS Canberra has conducted its first Replenishment at Sea evolution, in company with HMAS Sirius. The refuelling evolution was completed as the ships maintained their focus on warfare activities, as a part of Fleet Concentration Period East 15 (FCP East 15). The refuelling evolution was a challenge for both the navigation and seamanship teams, as the two ships sailed within 60 metres of each other to complete the fuel transfer. More.....
30 Nov 2015	Review of DVA’s dental and allied health arrangements Following a commitment in the 2015-16 Budget, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has commenced a review into its arrangements covering dental and allied health services provided to DVA clients. The review is timely given the commencement of the Department of Health’s review into Medicare arrangements also arising from the 2015-16 Budget. More.....
30 Nov 2015	Defence salutes contribution of employees with disability Defence marks International Day for People with Disability on 3 December 2015 by celebrating the success of its disability employment programs, such as the Defence Administration Assistance Program (DAAP) and the Defence Intellectual Disability Employment Initiative. First Assistant Secretary People Services, Richard Oliver, one of Defence’s Disability Champions, said Defence employees with disability helped the department to achieve important outcomes. More.....
28 Nov 2015	Chief of Navy response to Change.org petition – murder of Kate Malonyay 30 November 2015 \| On the Record I am aware of the change.org online petition circulating on social media in relation to the murder of Kate Malonyay. Let me say this: I was, and remain, appalled at the brutal and violent murder of Kate Malonyay at the hands of Elliott Coulson and I utterly condemn the abuse and violence that ended in her tragic death. I acknowledge that the decision to support Elliott Coulson’s family with Navy participation in the funeral has caused distress to Ms Malonyay’s family, friends and the wider community. It was not Navy’s intent to cause this distress and, for this, I unreservedly apologise. More.....

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Request for Committal of Ashes to the Sea. Download form.....

Current Repatriation Benefits for Gold Card Veterans -
As of 01 January 2018
This is a list of products that are available on a Doctor's prescription for Gold Card Repatriation Patients. Download the list.....

DVA Mobile Apps

The new Operation Life mobile application is designed to help those at risk deal with suicidal thoughts and is recommended to be used with the support of a clinician.

The High Res (High Resilience) app helps you manage stress, build resilience and optimise performance on the go.

The PTSD Coach Australia app can help you learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur after trauma.

ON TRACK with the Right Mix mobile app from the Department of Veterans Affairs helps you to keep track of the number and types of drinks you consume; the amount of money it's costing you and lets you know about the impact the alcohol has on your wellbeing and fitness levels.

Guide to the assessment of rates of veterans’ pensions
Guide to the assessment of rates of veterans’ pensions (GARP) is used to assess the extent of incapacity from war caused or defence caused injury or disease for the purposes of determining the rate of pension. Download.....

Planning ahead kit
Overview: Planning Ahead is a publication designed to help veterans and their families prepare for bereavement. There is also a checklist that can be used to record the contact details of important people, businesses and organisations that may need to be notified in case of your death. Download.....

DVA Concessions Fact Sheets
Factsheet CON01 - Concessions in NSW
Factsheet CON02 - Concessions in Vic
Factsheet CON03 - Concessions in QLD
Factsheet CON04 - Concessions in SA
Factsheet CON05 - Concessions in WA
Factsheet CON06 - Concessions in Tas
Factsheet CON07 - Concessions in NT
Factsheet CON08 - Concessions in ACT

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Check your ship's eligibility for war service.....

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