News & Articles of Interest

Keep up to date - download our smartphone app
download the brochure to find out how......

29 Apr 2016	NVN's April 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and haven't been receiving your monthly newsletters by email, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date.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 Apr 2016	Future submarine program The Turnbull Government today announces that the next generation of submarines for Australia will be constructed at the Adelaide shipyard, securing thousands of jobs and ensuring the project will play a key part in the transition of our economy. DCNS of France has been selected as our preferred international partner for the design of the 12 Future Submarines, subject to further discussions on commercial matters. More..... Doorstop interview.....
23 Apr 2016	Australia-Japan bilateral exercise concludes Ships and aircraft from the Royal Australian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) have completed the bilateral Exercise NICHI GOU TRIDENT off the coast of New South Wales. The exercise, which has been conducted regularly between Australia and Japan since 2009, was aimed at further developing interoperability between the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force and the Royal Australian Navy. More.....
22 Apr 2016	Battle of the Coral Sea 74th Anniversary Commemoration Sunday 8 May 2016 11:30am for 12:00 Shrine of Remembrance, St Kilda Road, Melbourne
18 Apr 2016	Continuous Naval Shipbuilding The Turnbull Government is securing a sustainable long-term Australian naval shipbuilding industry. Today the Government is announcing the build locations for 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels and up to 21 Pacific Patrol Boats, in addition to nine Future Frigates previously announced. These announcements provide for two shipyards to implement the Government’s commitment to a continuous build of naval surface ships in Australia. Major warships will be built in Adelaide and minor vessels in Henderson, Western Australia. More.....
18 Apr 2016	Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victorian Chapter) President's April Musings are now available to download.....
17 Apr 2016	Australians Reunited The Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Dan Tehan, today announced arrangements were in place for the repatriation of Australians from cemeteries in Malaysia and Singapore to Australia, in June 2016. In May 2015, the former Prime Minister, the Hon. Tony Abbott MP, announced an offer of repatriation to the families of 35 Australian service personnel and dependants in the Terendak Military Cemetery in Malaysia, and to the one other Australian serviceman who died in the Vietnam War and who is interred in the Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore. More.....
16 Apr 2016	Fiji farewells Australian troops Fijian dignitaries and troops have formally farewelled Australian Defence Force personnel who have provided humanitarian support and undertaken disaster relief work following Tropical Cyclone Winston. For almost two months ADF personnel have delivered critical aid supplies to the people of Fiji and helped to repair schools, community centres and hospitals. More.....
15 Apr 2016	Media Statement The Turnbull Government has lost the Respect of Disabled Veterans. In a damning display of political arrogance the Coalition Government has lost the respect and the support of the nation’s 130,000 disabled veterans by continuing to ignore their concern at the erosion of the value of their compensation payments, especially those affecting our most severely disabled war veterans. More.....
15 Apr 2016	Anzac Day arrangements on-track for Turkey and France The Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, today said arrangements were in place for the 2016 Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux. "The security of those attending is of course our main priority, and the Australian Government continues to work closely with our partner, the New Zealand Government, and our hosts, the French and Turkish Governments, to ensure the safety and well-being of visitors attending," Mr Tehan said. More.....
15 Apr 2016	Australia and Japan practise interoperability off Sydney Royal Australian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force counterparts have gathered in Sydney to conduct the bilateral Exercise NICHI GOU TRIDENT from 15-26 April 2016. This exercise, which has been conducted between Australia and Japan since 2009, is an opportunity to develop and enhance the bilateral naval relationship by practising maritime skills and improving levels of interoperability between our two navies. More.....
14 Apr 2016	808 Squadron return from Operation FIJI ASSIST Personnel from 808 Squadron returned to HMAS Albatross recently after a five-week deployment on Operation FIJI ASSIST. The aircrew, engineers and three MRH90 helicopters formed part of the Australian Defence Force’s humanitarian assistance relief to Fiji in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Winston. More.....
13 Apr 2016	Arrival of the 5th rotation of US Marines in Darwin The next rotation of US Marines will begin arriving in Darwin from today to commence their fifth rotation through Northern Australia as part of the US rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region. This year’s rotation will include around 1,250 US Marines, a detachment of four Bell UH-1Y Venom helicopters and a range of equipment. The Marines will be accommodated within Defence facilities at Robertson Barracks, RAAF Base Darwin and Defence Establishment Berrimah. More.....
13 Apr 2016	Visit to West Australian Defence bases Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Member for Durack, Melissa Price MP, today visited Defence’s West Australian Naval Communication Station Harold E Holt, which is set to gain a highly advanced Space Surveillance Telescope. “The telescope will soon be moved from its current location in the United States to a new purpose built Australian facility near Exmouth, Western Australia,” Minister Payne said. More.....
12 Apr 2016	Ionsphere IONSPHERE is the 'newsletter' of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and two editions were produced by SPC-A while the RAN held the chair; editorship of future editions of IONSPHERE resides with the Bangladesh Navy IONSPHERE edition IV, 2014 (http://www.navy.gov.au/ions/ionsphere-newsletter-2014) IONSPHERE edition V, 2015 (http://www.navy.gov.au/ions/ionsphere-newsletter-2015)
12 Apr 2016	Semaphore - Issue 2, 2016 Operations Hurricane and Mosaic On 3 October 1952, a nuclear device with a reported yield of 25 kilotons exploded just off Trimouille Island in the Montebellos group some 130km off the Pilbara coast of Western Australia. It was the first of several nuclear tests conducted in Australian territory in the 1950s, and the first ever conducted by the United Kingdom. More.....
12 Apr 2016	Seapower Centre: Sounding Papers. Sounding Paper #8 - Examining Maritime Insecurity in Eastern Africa A spate of escalating hijackings in and around the east African coast between 2005 and 2012 thrust the Horn of Africa into the global spotlight and triggered an unprecedented international response. Download..... Sounding Paper #9 - Dominion, Trade and the Maritime Silk Road: A Review of the Issues Because of its utility as the safest and cheapest way of transporting goods and people, the sea has always been a basis - and many would say the basis - for trade. On the other hand, control of the sea can also be an important source of political and military dominion - the ability to influence, even determine, the behaviour of other people. Download..... Sounding Paper #10 - Some Capability and Operating Implications Arising from Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean Interests Introduction This paper considers the capability implications for the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) of: * current and changing policy and issues in relation to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean * the impact of related planning, environmental and other change. Download.....
09 Apr 2016	Future ADF training helicopter arrives at HMAS Albatross The first of 15 Airbus EC135 helicopters has arrived at the Naval Air Station, HMAS Albatross, destined to train future Australian Defence Force aircrew. The helicopter, in its gloss black and yellow livery, made a striking contrast as it flew past a matt grey Navy AS350 Squirrel, one of the aircraft it is destined to replace. More.....
08 Apr 2016	Navy Simulation Training Centre Opens A state-of-the-art simulation facility has been opened in Sydney today that will enhance training for Royal Australian Navy technical sailors. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN, officially opened the $90 million Navy Training Systems Centre at Randwick Barracks, and said the purpose-built facility would revolutionise how Navy prepares Marine and Electronic Technicians for their roles in the Fleet. More.....
08 Apr 2016	Australia and Indonesia unite to patrol fisheries Illegal fishing was the focus of a joint operation between Australia and Indonesia that concluded in Bali on 5th April. The fifth coordinated maritime security patrol, AUSINDO CORPAT 2016, had elements of the Australian Defence Force unite with the Indonesian Armed Forces in the waters between Australia and Indonesia over the past ten days to target the exploitation of natural resources, specifically illegal fishing. More.....
08 Apr 2016	Ex-HMA Ships Tobruk and Sydney to be offered as Dive Wrecks Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Marise Payne today announced that the decommissioned vessels, ex-HMA Ships Tobruk and Sydney, will be offered to the States and Territories for the creation of dive wrecks. After decades of invaluable service in the Royal Australian Navy, Tobruk and Sydney were decommissioned in July 2015 and November 2015 respectively. More.....
08 Apr 2016	Secrets of the Gallipoli battlefield revealed International collaboration between Australian, New Zealand and Turkish experts has produced the first extensive archaeological and historical survey of the Gallipoli battlefield, with findings published by Cambridge University Press. The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Dan Tehan, today launched the book, Anzac Battlefield: A Gallipoli Landscape of War and Memory. More.....
06 Apr 2016	2016 Invictus Games squad announced An Australian squad of 40 inspirational athletes is preparing for the 2016 Invictus Games which will be held in Orlando, Florida from 8 to 12 May. Assistant Minister for Defence Michael McCormack said the Invictus Games was an international adaptive sports competition for serving and former serving wounded, injured and ill athletes which provided a vital opportunity to support their rehabilitation and recovery. More.....
04 Apr 2016	Almost a century of training at Cerberus Since first opening its doors as Flinders Naval Base in 1920, Cerberus has lived up to its nickname as the “Cradle of the Navy” and now encompasses specialised training for all three Services, as well as being the home of the Royal Australian Navy Recruit School where all sailors commence their naval careers. Commanding Officer Cerberus, Captain Stephen Bowater, said celebrating a ship's commissioning was important for sailors to share in both the history and the future of that ship. More.....
04 Apr 2016	Preparing young women for leadership roles in the Navy The Royal Australian Navy is hosting a Defence work experience activity designed to attract future female Navy leaders. The inaugural Women in Navy Leadership Camp is being held at HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay, from 4-7 April, home of the Royal Australian Naval College. Twenty-three female secondary school students from across Australia are participating in the program which is designed to contribute to Defence’s overall strategy to increase female representation. More.....
04 Apr 2016	Cerberus wins Mons Cup HMAS Cerberus has won the men’s division of the 2016 Mons Cup rugby union competition, narrowly beating Fleet Base West 10-7 at Randwick Barracks in late March. Director of Navy Rugby Union, Commander Darren Grogan, said it was one of the most competitive cups in years, with eight men’s and three women’s teams competing from bases and ships all over Australia. More.....
02 Apr 2016	Bravo Zulu: Honours and Awards to Australian Naval People 1900-2014 Volume 1, 1900-1974 - by Ian Pfennigwerth Now on Sale Between 1900 and 2014 nearly 3,800 Australian naval people received honours and awards for their efforts, courage, sacrifice and service to the nation. Whether earning a George Cross for defusing mines during the World War II ‘Blitz’ of the UK, an American Silver Star for flying helicopters into intense enemy fire in Vietnam, or a Conspicuous Service Medal for quietly ‘just getting the job done’, these are the stories of the men and women who have been recognised for their service to the Royal Australian Navy. More.....
01 Apr 2016	Navy Clearance Divers make their mark in Fiji Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Teams One and Four have recently conducted underwater repairs on an important mooring buoy, near Koro Island, Fiji. Team Four discovered the buoy while conducting a wharf and seabed survey in support of Operation FIJI ASSIST 2016. A reconnaissance diver sent below to investigate, discovered a shackle pin missing at the end of the buoy’s cable, leaving its weight as the only stability point for the mooring. More.....
01 Apr 2016	Press conference with Vice Admiral David Johnston – Update on Australian Defence Force operations I’d like to start with – in the ADF contribution to Fiji, and just update you on the nature of the role we have performed there. You will be aware in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Winston, which caused significant damage, fatalities and loss of property, in taking the- by the Fijian estimate, about 350,000 people, particularly on the northern side of the main island and out in the remote islands to the northeast of the northern part of Fiji. More.....
30 Mar 2016	HMAS Canberra returns from Fiji HMAS Canberra returns to Australia today following its successful maiden deployment to Fiji in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston. HMAS Canberra was loaded with 60 tonnes of emergency relief supplies, three MRH-90 helicopters and around 760 Australian Defence Force personnel including engineers, carpenters, electricians and plumbers. More.....
29 Mar 2016	Specialist counselling for veterans Veterans who may be concerned following the release of the Senate Committee report into the mental health of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veterans are encouraged to call the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) on 1800 011 046, DVA Secretary Simon Lewis PSM said today. More.....
29 Mar 2016	New Generation to learn the Importance of Commemoration Dan Tehan, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, has launched a large-format picture book aimed at teaching young Australians about the importance of commemoration. Minister Tehan said the book, Here they come: A day to remember, is for primary school students up to Year 3. It explores the experiences, feelings and motivations for different members of the community attending a commemorative ceremony. More.....
29 Mar 2016	Commemorative Posters Depict Life on the Western Front Two posters depicting the different experiences of Australians on the Western Front in 1916 have been released in the lead-up to Anzac Day to commemorate the thousands of lives lost in battles on the Western Front. Dan Tehan, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, said posters are produced and distributed every year to support the observance of Anzac Day. More.....
28 Mar 2016	Landing craft move to a new home The Royal Australian Navy’s final three Landing Craft Heavy – ex-HMA Ships Balikpapan, Betano and Wewak – were officially signed over to the Philippines Navy at a ceremony held at Darwin’s HMAS Coonawarra naval base recently. More.....

Archives

News

Newsletters

DVA
Information of Interest

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.....

News & Articles of Interest

DVA Information of Interest

DVA
Information of Interest