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27 Jun 2015	NVN's June 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and haven't been receiving your monthly newsletters by email, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date.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.
26 Jun 2015	Melbourne fires Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles The Royal Australian Navy Adelaide class frigate, HMAS Melbourne, has successfully fired two Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles, reinforcing her war-fighting and mariner skills. The missile firings were conducted off the coast of New South Wales on 24 June against two unmanned aerial targets launched from the Beecroft Range at Jervis Bay. More.....
25 Jun 2015	U.S. Navy Secretary Endorses Adding Names of 74 Sailors to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington DC. Oceanside, California, June 24, 2015—The names of 74 sailors lost in a single tragedy are a big step closer to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. On Friday June 20, 2015 the USS Frank E. Evans DD-754 Association learned that Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced that Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus endorses adding the names of the lost 74 sailors from USS Frank E. Evans DD 754 to the memorial in Washington D.C. More.....
25 Jun 2015	65 Years Since The Start Of The Korean War On the 65th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, encouraged Australians to remember those who served in what is often called the ‘forgotten war’. “Today marks 65 years since the start of the Korean War, a war in which some 18,000 Australians served, including during the post-armistice period, with more than 350 Australians losing their lives and some 1,500 wounded.” More.....
25 Jun 2015	Tobruk home to heroes' farewell HMAS Tobruk (II) sailed through Sydney Heads back to her home port at Garden Island for the last time today. The amphibious heavy lift is scheduled to decommission on Friday 31 July, after 34 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy. Commanding Officer Tobruk Commander Leif Maxfield said the final passage was an emotional time for the ship’s company of 167. More.....
25 Jun 2015	Landmark reforms to ADF conditions of service The Government today introduced legislation establishing a new military superannuation scheme for members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and accompanying legislation to enable ADF members to work part time. The new military superannuation scheme, to be known as ADF Super, will for the first time allow ADF members to join the superannuation fund of their choice. They will also have access to a default military superannuation fund. More.....
24 Jun 2015	HMAS Newcastle seizes more than $1 billion in narcotics Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Newcastle patrolling with the Combined Maritime Forces in the Middle East region has seized another 581kg of illegal narcotics with an estimated street value of approximately $520 million. The half-tonne heroin haul is Newcastle’s fifth in two months and comes on the back of her recent 724kg narcotics seizure. More.....
23 Jun 2015	Defence to contribute to facilities project for Darwin An $18 million project to construct a Multi User Barge Ramp Facility in Darwin has been approved by Parliament, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence Darren Chester announced today. Mr Chester said the facilities, at East Arm in the Port of Darwin, would provide the logistic support capability for Royal Australian Navy’s new Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock ships and other amphibious vessels. More.....
22 Jun 2015	Navy League of Australia (Vic Div) June newsletter is now available to download.....
20 Jun 2015	Funding For Victory In The Pacific Commemorations Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson announced the National RSL will receive a grant of $200,000 to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific, at the RSL’s Queensland Congress in Brisbane today. "This funding will enable the RSL to honour the service and sacrifice of the more than one million Australians who served in the Second World War through a series of commemorative events across Australia on 15 August,” Senator Ronaldson said. More.....
19 Jun 2015	106 Second World War Veterans To Be Awarded The Legion Of Honour More than 100 veterans of the Second World War will this year be honoured at ceremonies across the country with France’s prestigious Legion of Honour award, which was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to acknowledge outstanding military accomplishments and other distinguished services to France. More.....
18 Jun 2015	100th Anniversary Commemoration Of Lone Pine The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, today announced arrangements for the 100th anniversary commemoration for the August Offensive at Lone Pine, Gallipoli in Turkey on 6 August 2015. More.....
18 Jun 2015	National Search For Official Historian Begins The compilation of the Official Histories of Australian operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the peacekeeping operations in East Timor took a significant step forward today with the Australian War Memorial (AWM) calling for expressions of interest from qualified historians to oversee the project. More.....
16 Jun 2015	Australian and New Zealand ships seize $800 million in narcotics Maritime security operations by Australian and New Zealand frigates operating in the Middle East region during the past six weeks have seized almost a tonne of narcotics worth an estimated street value of $811 million. Royal Australian Navy Guided Missile Frigate, HMAS Newcastle netted 724kg of narcotics worth an estimated $597 million. During the same operation, New Zealand ship HMNZS Te Kaha seized 257kg of narcotics worth an estimated $214 million. More.....
16 Jun 2015	Anzac Day Speech Anzac Day speech by Vietnam veteran Lieutenant Neville Clark at the Dawn Service at the Melbourne Shrine. Recommended viewing.....
15 Jun 2015	Soundings Papers Soundings papers are a new publication line introduced in 2012. The Soundings series is designed to raise awareness of naval and maritime issues, both contemporary and historical, but in more ‘depth’ than Semaphores. They cover works from 4000 to 10,000 words in length. The series is only available in electronic format. Soundings 1, John Hattendorf, What is a Maritime Strategy (2013) Soundings 2, Jaimie Hatcher, China's growing Indian Ocean maritime interests: sowing the seeds of conflict? (2013) Soundings 3, Stuart Mayer, Ian Knox and Ivan Shearer, Reflections on the RAN and LOSC (2014) Soundings 4, Geoffrey Till, Indonesia as a growing maritime power; possible implications for Australia (2015)
12 Jun 2015	Full tax exemption for ADF personnel in the Middle East The Australian Government can today announce that a full tax exemption will apply to military personnel serving on non-warlike Operations Manitou, Accordion, Okra (Zone B) and Augury in the Middle East region. More.....
12 Jun 2015	Minister Welcomes Malaysian Support For Repatriation of Australians Buried at Terendak The Malaysian Government has pledged its support and offered to assist wherever possible in returning the bodies of Australian soldiers buried at the Terendak Military Cemetery in Malaysia. More.....
12 Jun 2015	Naval Historical Society (Vic) President's June musings.....
11 Jun 2015	New Appointments For VVCS Advisory Committee Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, today announced new appointments to the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) Advisory Committee. “I am pleased to announce the appointments of the committee’s new Chair, Associate Professor Jane Burns, and member Dr Andrew Khoo,” Senator Ronaldson said. More.....
11 Jun 2015	Commission of Inquiry report released into the death of Able Seaman Ewan McDonald Defence has taken steps to further strengthen mental health policies for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel following an inquiry into a sailor’s death on HMAS Toowoomba during a port visit to Mumbai in 2011. A Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Able Seaman Ewan McDonald found he took his own life on 23 October 2011 as a result of acute distress about his personal relationships. More.....
11 Jun 2015	Update on Australian Defence Force operations Ladies and gentlemen, are you all set to go? Good afternoon and welcome to one our routine operational updates. I know there’s a few new participants here that haven’t joined us in the past. Welcome. My name is David Johnston, I’m the Chief of Joint Operations. I’m joined by Air Commodore Joe Iervasi, who leads the operations in joint operations command, who has responsibilities towards the conduct of our air operations in the Middle East. But we will- and the reason why we’ve gone for an afternoon rather than the normal morning media update, we have at the end of the telephone with us Colonel Matt Galton who is the Commander of Task Group Taji. More.....
11 Jun 2015	Navy commissions helicopter squadron Today I joined the Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis, MP, and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN at the commissioning of Navy’s helicopter training squadron for the MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’. The commissioning of 725 Squadron, at the Naval Air Station HMAS Albatross in Nowra, is an important milestone for Navy and marks the formal induction of the Squadron and aircraft into the fleet. More.....
09 Jun 2015	Australian Defence Force personnel to receive pay increase The independent Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) has today approved the Government’s proposal to increase the pay of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. The Government’s proposal will result in ADF members receiving a pay increase of 2 per cent each year, up from 1.5 per cent, for the remaining life of the 2014 Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA). More.....
05 Jun 2015	Expert Advisory Panel appointed to oversee Future Submarine Competitive Evaluation Process With France, Germany and Japan having confirmed their participation as potential international partners in the Australia’s future submarine programme, the Government today announces the establishment of the Expert Advisory Panel, which will oversee the competitive evaluation process. More..... Media transcript & Questions.....
05 Jun 2015	Appointment of a Muslim representative to the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services The Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, today announced the appointment of Imam Mohamadu Nawaz Saleem to the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services (RACS). The RACS was established in 1981 to provide a link between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the governing bodies of faith groups. It now consists of five members from the Christian faith, one Jewish member and one Muslim member. More.....
04 Jun 2015	Inaugural visit to Japan concludes Today I concluded my first visit to Japan as Minister for Defence. Japan is an important regional and security partner for Australia. We share strategic interests, common capabilities and a shared alliance with the United States. During my visit I had the opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Abe, Defence Minister Nakatani and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Miyazawa on a range of issues of strategic importance to both our countries. More.....
04 Jun 2015	Defence to sell Leeuwin Barracks in Fremantle The Department of Defence has decided to sell Leeuwin Barracks in Fremantle, Western Australia. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Darren Chester MP, said Defence had no ongoing operational or strategic need for the Leeuwin Barracks site and had decided to sell the property. More.....
04 Jun 2015	Indian Navy crosses oceans to visit Australia Two Indian Navy Ships (INS) Satpura and Kamorta have been conducting training and security patrols while transiting the Indian Ocean and will arrive in Fremantle today on a goodwill visit. The arrival of the two Indian Navy Ships coincides with a visit by the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Commander Vice Admiral Satish Soni, PVSM, AVSM, NM, ADC, who is in Perth to hold discussions and make preparations ahead of the Royal Australian Navy’s first bilateral maritime exercise with India. More.....
03 Jun 2015	Offer to bring our Vietnam fallen home On 25 May 2015 the Prime Minister, the Hon. Tony Abbott MP, announced the Government’s decision to offer repatriation to Australia of the Australians interred in the Terendak Military Cemetery in Malaysia. This offer will ensure that all Australian service personnel who died in the Vietnam War will finally be treated equally. More & FAQs.....
03 Jun 2015	Improved Services For Veterans In Geelong Services to Veterans in the Geelong area are set to be revamped following a review of existing arrangements and extensive consultation with the community, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson said today. Earlier this year, with the lease due to expire at the stand-alone Veterans Access Network (VAN) office and in the face of declining visits to the VAN, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs undertook a review and a period of consultation relating to the delivery of in-person services in Geelong. More.....
02 Jun 2015	Largest Investigation into the Health & Wellbeing Effects of Contemporary Military Service This week marks the beginning of Australia’s most comprehensive study into the impact of contemporary military service on the health and wellbeing of serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. Announcing the opening of the Transition & Wellbeing Research Programme survey, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, and Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon. Stuart Robert MP, today said invitations to around 50,000 potential participants would be sent out from this week. More.....
02 Jun 2015	Three Tribals Luncheon Just a quick note to let you know the details for the Three Tribals lunch this year. ARUNTA is the host. Tuesday 23rd June Dandenong RSL, 44-50 Clow St, Dandenong Three Course meal, $30 per head, drinks at bar prices 11:30am for noon sit down. Download flyer.....
02 Jun 2015	Japanese sailors join the honour roll Seventy-three years since the sinking of the ferry HMAS Kuttabul during a Japanese midget submarine attack, a commemorative service has been held, to remember the 19 Australians, two British and six Japanese personnel who perished. For the first time, the names of the Japanese submariners were also read out at the ceremony at Garden Island, Sydney, on the site of the base named for the sunken ferry. More.....
02 Jun 2015	Funding Honours Australia's Service Communities across Australia will share in more than $462,000 to help honour Australia’s servicemen and women through the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service grant program, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson announced today. More.....
02 Jun 2015	NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION - Lyme disease Section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) gives notice under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA) that it intends to carry out an investigation pursuant to subsection 196B(4) of the VEA to find out whether Statements of Principles may be determined in respect of Lyme disease. More.....
30 May 2015	Japan-US-Australia Defense Ministers Meeting Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, and Australian Minister for Defence Kevin Andrews held trilateral defense ministerial talks in Singapore on May 30, 2015, on the margins of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue. This was the fifth meeting of its kind among the three nations’ top defense officials. More.....
30 May 2015	Innovative program for wounded, injured and ill takes off in Canberra Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert reviewed a presentation by a group of Australian Defence Force men and women as part of the Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills (ARRTS) program. The ground breaking program, delivered in partnership with the University of Canberra, has been designed for service personnel experiencing service related health and well-being issues in their rehabilitation and recovery. More.....
29 May 2015	Remains of First World War Soldiers Recovered in Bullecourt The remains of two soldiers, likely to be Australians who fought in the First World War, were located at Bullecourt in France on Saturday, 23 May 2015. The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, said the remains had been discovered by a French fossicker in an area known to locals as the ‘Australian line’ and then recovered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). More.....
28 May 2015	Inquiry report released into the death of a Navy member involved in a cycling accident The Department of Defence today released an inquiry report into the death of Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Kane Vandenberg who died on 11 October 2013 following a cycling accident at Mt Stromlo Forest Park. CPO Vandenberg was participating in the Super D event at the Australian Defence Cycling Club 2013 Carnival when he lost control of his mountain bike and collided with a large rock. More.....
28 May 2015	Navy Band 102nd Birthday Concert Good Morning All, It is with much pleasure that I extend an invitation for you and your respective others to attend the RAN Bands 102nd Birthday Concert to be held at HMAS Cerberus on Wed June 24 commencing at 1900. Doors will open from 1800 with pre concert drinks available for purchase. The concert will also feature a special performance from David Helfgott (please see flyer), the renowned Australian Pianist. On completion of the concert canapés will be served and David will mingle with the audience. Cost for the evening is $50. If you would like to attend please let me know as this is a ticketed event. Kind regards Brendan Woodsell, OAM Ships Warrant Officer HMAS Cerberus Tel: (03) 5931 5245 Mob: 0414301038 View flyer.....
27 May 2015	The icons of Anzac While participating at Centenary of Anzac commemorations at Gallipoli and in the Sea of Marmara recently, several symbolic links to helped to reinforce the original ANZAC story to the crew of HMAS Anzac. During a four day period, Anzac hosted a commemorative service for the submarine, HMAS AE2, participated in sailpasts for Turkish forces and later British and Irish forces, before taking pride of place in the sailpast for the Anzac Day dawn service, in company with 10 other ships. More.....
26 May 2015	HMAS Tobruk Decommissioning Official Reception 1. HMAS Tobruk will decommission on 31Jul15 2. The CO and ships company will host an official reception on the evening of 31Jul15 to celebrate Torbruks 34 years of service. The reception will be held at FBE5 from 1830-2130 approx. More.....
26 May 2015	Anzac Centenary Local Grants Support Community Commemoration A further $2.1 million has been awarded to 160 new projects and 32 existing projects under the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program (ACLGP). The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, announced the new funding allocations today, which concludes the ACLGP. More.....
26 May 2015	Veterans Return To WW2 Battlefields 70 Years On Eight veterans will return to Borneo next month to mark the 70th anniversary of an important campaign of the Second World War. Liberating the people of Borneo from Japanese occupation involved more than 75,000 Australians supporting the Oboe landings on Borneo from May to July 1945 – including the largest Australian amphibious landing of the Second World War. The eight veterans represented all service arms and major aspects of the landings. 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

War Service

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

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DVA
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