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31 Aug 2016	The importance of intelligence Today is the golden age of intelligence. It’s a great time to be an intelligence officer. If our intelligence services were for-profit enterprises, investors would want to make long-term investments in them. Business is that good. Why is this the case? It’s the coming together of two important developments. More.....
30 Aug 2016	Defence and liquid transport fuel resilience Diversifying choice of fuel supplies can have a real impact on naval operational capacity, in addition to managing the costs sustaining capability. This month there’s been lots of naval talk about alternative fuels when the USS Stethem, an Arleigh Burke class destroyer, arrived alongside Fleet Base East, Sydney. Since Australia signed a statement of cooperation agreement with the US Navy in 2012 to share information on alternative fuels for naval aviation, surface and subsurface platforms, the RAN has progressed from testing one Seahawk helicopter during RIMPAC four years ago, to three warships that took more than 4.5 megalitres of blended alternative fuel from US oilers during RIMPAC that concluded early this month. More.....
29 Aug 2016	That sinking feeling: is the flattop finished? The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has been the ultimate symbol of American power and prestige for decades. These vessels are both incredibly capable and incredibly expensive. However, the combination of the proliferation of long range anti-access/area denial (A2AD) weapons systems and the decreased range of the US Navy Carrier Air Wings (CAW) has called into question the future utility of the US Navy’s carrier fleet, at least in a major war. More.....
28 Aug 2016	Fleet Support Unit in 2016 - Maintaining Capability FSU-AUST is a national maintenance organisation that consistently delivers high quality maintenance and repair services to the RAN fleet. FSU-AUST conducts meaningful work that increases technical mastery in our people. This Webisode talks about the FSU; what it does and why.
27 Aug 2016	NVN's August Newsletter NOTE from Webmaster: If you are a member and haven't been notified that your monthly newsletter is available to download, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date. To correct this, contact the webmaster at: webmaster@navyvic.net and he will copy and amend your address.
26 Aug 2016	US Navy fires shots in second confrontation with Iranian vessels in two days Just a day after four Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps boats charged a U.S. Navy destroyer near the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. Navy coastal patrol boat was forced to fire warning shots to fend off fast approaching Iranian vessels in the North Persian Gulf. USS Squall and USS Tempest, both Cyclone-class patrol ships, were in international waters when Iranian vessels approached at high speed coming as close as 600 yards despite warning flares and radio messages. More.....
25 Aug 2016	WATCH: Iranian boats come dangerously close to US destroyer in high-speed intercept Four Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps boats came within 300 yards of the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Nitze on August 23 in the latest run-in between U.S. and Iran in the Persian Gulf.
25 Aug 2016	Meeting with Japanese Minister of Defense The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, today met with her newly appointed Japanese counterpart, Ms Tomomi Inada, Minister of Defense. During their meeting, the Ministers affirmed the mutual significance of the Australia-Japan defence relationship. Ministers outlined their respective policy priorities for bilateral defence engagement, including measures to enhance cooperation and engagement between the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Australian Defence Force. More.....
24 Aug 2016	Students honour Australian Vietnam veterans The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Dan Tehan, today congratulated the winners of the Honouring Australian Vietnam Veterans secondary schools’ competition. Mr Tehan said the competition encouraged students in years 9 to 11 to investigate the contribution of Australians who served in the Vietnam War and reflect on the importance of commemorating their service and sacrifice. More.....
24 Aug 2016	DVA supports vibrant veteran networks The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Dan Tehan, today announced 15 ex-service organisations would share in nearly $140,000 Grants in Aid funding in 2016–17. “The Grants in Aid program provides administrative support to national ex-service organisations in recognition of the work they do supporting the veteran community,” Mr Tehan said. More.....
24 Aug 2016	Veterans helping veterans receive $4m boost The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Dan Tehan, today announced more than $4 million in Government funding for essential advice, advocacy and welfare services for veterans, serving members and their families, war widows and widowers. “The Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program will support 144 ex-service organisations (ESO) across Australia to continue providing help and advice to the veteran community,” Mr Tehan said. More.....
24 Aug 2016	French DCNS in Indian Scorpene submarine leak scandal A massive leak of documents containing top-secret technical details of the Indian Navy’s Scorpene-class submarines has hit the French defense company DCNS which is set to build new Australian submarines. The documents, first revealed by The Australian, contain 22,400 pages and detail secret combat capabilities of the six Indian Navy submarines designed by DCNS. More.....
23 Aug 2016	Navy sailors damage luxury home A SQUAD of peacetime naval officers have left a luxury Hobart holiday home looking like a war zone, the owner says. The sailors, who arrived aboard the HMAS Adelaide on Friday, rented the $5000- a-week property at Old Beach at the weekend. During the course of two days, the sailors caused up to $20,000 damage as they drank their way through a mountain of alcohol, owner Leo (surname withheld) said. More.....
23 Aug 2016	Australian survey motor launches to receive new navigation sonars U.S. sonar system company FarSounder has been awarded a contract to upgrade Royal Australian Navy’s four Paluma class hydrographic survey motor launches with FarSounder-1000 navigation sonars. According to FarSounder, BAE Systems is the prime contractor while Seismic Asia Pacific of Salisbury, Australia will be responsible for the purchase of the equipment and assist with the systems integration. More.....
23 Aug 2016	Seafarers' Memorial Service The annual Seafarers’ Memorial Service will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral in the presence of Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett AO CSC RAN on Sunday 16th October 2016, commencing at 10.30 am. Full details.....
23 Aug 2016	75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea The President and Members of the Naval Association of Australia - Stanthorpe and District Sub-Section Inc. invite you to a dinner celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea on the 29th April 2017. Full details.....
23 Aug 2016	Reserve Forces Day 2017 - Wondai, Queensland Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd July 2017 The theme for Wondai in 2017 is the work of the Royal Australian Navy in 1917 in distant waters and that of the RAN Naval Reserve both as members of the various guard detachments in Australia and of the Bridging Train in the Sinai, all of which was unsung and largely, as a consequence, unknown to most Australians. Full details.....
23 Aug 2016	HMAS Moresby & White Ships Reunion We are contemplating a reunion for HMAS Moresby and White Ships Reunion on either the Gold Coast or Brisbane around March 2017. If you are interested in this event please contact Junior Watt ASAP with your preference of venue Phone - 0402749582 or send an email to - jakknco@bigpond.net.au
22 Aug 2016	Untouched British WWI minesweeper now protected from looters Discovered off the Dorset coast, England in 2014 after spending a century undiscovered, a rare steam fishing trawler fitted out as a mine sweeper for the Royal Navy during the First World War has been given special protection by British authorities. More.....
21 Aug 2016	US Navy ballistic missile submarine collides with offshore support vessel off Washington state The U.S. Navy ballistic-missile submarine USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) collided with an offshore support vessel, also operated by the U.S. Navy, in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on August 18. The waters in which the accident took place are the Salish Sea’s outlet to the Pacific Ocean but also a border between the U.S. and Canada. More.....
18 Aug 2016	US Navy signs deal to refuel ships with biofuel in Queensland, Australia Following initial talks in June 2015, the U.S. Navy has now signed an agreement with the government of Queensland, Australia to refuel its Great Green Fleet warships with biofuels in Queensland. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and United States Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Management Thomas Hicks today signed a Statement of Cooperation as part of the Great Green Fleet initiative. More.....
17 Aug 2016	Chief of Navy Address to Williams Foundation Seminar 10 August 2016 National Gallery of Australia *Integration design requirements for Navy’s future systems and ships* As I look out I can sense that you’re eager to hear what I have to say. But let me be honest. I will not be discussing what is in the buyers’ guide for Navy. All you need to know is that we need to get on and cut steel for ships and submarines sooner rather than later. I can’t recall a Chief of Navy who has ever had this luxury. More.....
17 Aug 2016	Cancellation of the 50th Anniversary Service at Long Tan The Vietnamese Government has advised the Australian Government that it will not permit the ceremony to commemorate Vietnam Veteran’s Day at the Long Tan cross site at 15:30 on 18 August to proceed. An official party including the Australian and New Zealand ambassadors will lay a wreath and we understand small groups will still have access to the site on the day. More.....
15 Aug 2016	BAE reveals first Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Forth ahead of launch British shipbuilder BAE Systems has shared a photo of the first of three new Royal Navy offshore patrol vessels, HMS Forth, outside the Govan construction shed in Glasgow prior to its launch. BAE received a £348 million contract to build the three vessels in August 2014. The offshore patrol vessels will be used by the Royal Navy for counter terrorism, counter piracy and anti-smuggling operations. More.....
14 Aug 2016	Great Green Fleet destroyer visits Sydney U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) arrived in Sydney August 14 for a port visit as part of her deployment in the 7th Fleet area of operations. The port visit supports the Great Green Fleet, an initiative created to promote energy efficient systems and alternative resources. The program is designed to increase the flexibility and endurance of warships. More.....
14 Aug 2016	Defence mental health support and suicide prevention Any death by suicide is tragic. Defence is committed to increasing our understanding of this issue so that we can continue to improve the support services available to our people. Most importantly, we need to help those who are suffering to understand that support is available to them – they do not need to suffer alone. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in Australia, and ADF personnel are not immune from this. More.....
12 Aug 2016	Navy League of Australia(Vic-Tas Div) August newsletter is now available to download.....
12 Aug 2016	Improving on zero: Australia and India attempt strategic convergence In the 20th century, Australia’s strategic relationship with India was so frigid it was in negative territory for decades. In the 21st century, Australia and India have begun to attempt strategic convergence. That rapid shift from negative to positive means the big change in Australia’s strategic perceptions this century has been about India. More.....
11 Aug 2016	ASC upgrades equipment for Australian Future Submarine build The Australian government-owned submarine builder and maintainer ASC, formerly known as Australian Submarine Corporation, is upgrading its ‘virtual shipyard’ system Dassault Systèmes ENOVIA to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform in preparation for the construction of a new class of Australian Navy submarines. ASC’s move will optimise its Collins Class submarine maintenance, design, engineering and construction services to the Federal Government and prepare it for work on Australia’s SEA 1000 Future Submarine project. More.....
11 Aug 2016	Government supports veterans and ADF personnel The Turnbull Government will increase support for veterans and ADF members, including an employment initiative to support people moving from military service to civilian life. We recognise that the transition from the services into civilian life can be challenging for some members, and we are committed to providing the required support to re-enter the workforce. The Prime Minister will host the first Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Initiative in November – bringing together business leaders and veterans to find ways to better use the valuable skills and leadership of former service personnel into our modern economy. More.....
10 Aug 2016	Hand, foot and mouth disease breaks out aboard Canadian frigate Some 20 sailors aboard the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Charlottetown were diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease during the ship’s Eastern European deployment. According to the Canadian news site The Star, a military spokesperson confirmed the sailors were treated to ease the symptoms of the disease. More.....
10 Aug 2016	US Navy sub-hunter drone aces sea trials Sea Hunter, the U.S. Navy’s unmanned anti submarine warfare vessel, has recently completed at-sea tests off the coast of San Diego, California. Developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program, the vessel met or surpassed all performance objectives for speed, maneuverability, stability, seakeeping, acceleration/deceleration, and fuel consumption, as well as establishing confidence in mechanical systems reliability in an open-ocean environment, Leidos, a company involved involved in the vessel’s manufacturing has confirmed. More.....
10 Aug 2016	Military awards for Long Tan veterans Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan will recommend 10 soldiers who fought in the Battle of Long Tan be awarded a military honour or have their existing honour upgraded. Mr Tehan today said he would recommend to the Governor-General that each recommendation from the independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal’s review into the actions of 13 individual soldiers during the battle be approved. More.....
10 Aug 2016	Minister meets with Cairns Australian Defence Industry Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today met with key Defence related companies based in Cairns, Queensland, to discuss the opportunities for local industry in the delivery of Australia’s Defence capability. The Minister visited BAE Systems Australia and was briefed on the support they provide to the Royal Australian Navy. He also toured Norship Marine’s vessel maintenance and storage facility and Tropical Reef Shipyard’s ship repair facilities to see first-hand the important work they do to maintain Royal Australian Navy vessels based in the region. More.....
09 Aug 2016	UK Type 26 frigate: a cruiser by another name? Are modern-day frigates really cruisers, or is it just that the present-day needs of a frigate require the 6,000-plus tonnage of an old-fashioned cruiser? This isn’t an arcane topic, especially as the topmasts of Australia’s own SEA 5000 frigate appear over the procurement horizon. More.....
09 Aug 2016	A Trump victory and the alliance—a preliminary cut US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter told the world at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue, that ‘the US-Australia alliance is more and more a global one. As our two nations work together to uphold the freedom of navigation and overflight across the region, we’re also accelerating the defeat of ISIL together in Iraq and Syria’. The ANZUS alliance isn’t necessarily the most significant allied relationship for the US. However, it is arguably the most productive. More.....
08 Aug 2016	Annual Dinner The Naval Association of Australia - Frankston sub-Section are holding their Annual Dinner on 27th August 2016 at the Frankston Naval Memorial Club. Full details, including payment options, are contained in the flyer.....
07 Aug 2016	Maritime Component Commander reinforces interoperability values Commodore Mal Wise has spent a month coordinating nine task forces involving personnel from 26 nations for Exercise RIMPAC 2016 and said it ranks among the most rewarding challenges of his Royal Australian Navy career. As the Combined Force Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Wise was responsible for about 25,000 personnel, 26 nations and 46 ships in the exercise around the Hawaiian Islands. More.....
05 Aug 2016	ADF completes Exercise RIMPAC The Australian Defence Force achieved successful flight trials, missile launches and interoperability during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2016. RIMPAC 16 brought together 25,000 personnel, 46 ships and more than 200 aircraft from 30 June to 4 August to exercise in and around the Hawaiian Islands and San Diego with the goal of developing capable, adaptive partnerships for response to crises in the region. More.....
04 Aug 2016	Commemorative Program for Vietnam Veterans Day and the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan Australians will honour the service and sacrifice of our servicemen and women during the Vietnam War at nationwide commemorative services this month. The official program of events will include a Parliamentary Reception on 17 August, and a National Service at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra, followed by a Commemorative Parade at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane on 18 August. More.....
04 Aug 2016	Australian frigate tests missile firing skills at RIMPAC Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat has demonstrated its warfighting capability with the successful firing of six missiles during Exercise RIMPAC 2016 in Hawaii. The Anzac-class frigate fired a Harpoon anti-ship missile, three Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles and launched its embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter to fire two Hellfire missiles at the ex-USS Thatch during the SINKEX. More.....
03 Aug 2016	Assistance for Long Tan veterans returning to Vietnam on 18 August 2016 The Australian Government will provide travel assistance to Australia’s Long Tan veterans who travel to Vietnam to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the battle on 18 August. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan was an important milestone that should be marked accordingly. More.....
03 Aug 2016	The US Navy Is Now Facing Its Greatest Fear: Obsolete Aircraft Carriers? If the United States Navy is either unwilling or unable to conceptualize a carrier air wing that can fight on the first day of a high-end conflict, then the question becomes: Why should the American taxpayer shell out $13 billion for a Ford-class carrier? That’s the potent question being raised by naval analysts in Washington—noting that there are many options that the Navy could pursue including a stealthy new long-range, carrier-based unmanned combat aircraft or a much heavier investment in submarines. More.....
03 Aug 2016	Latest North Korea missile launch lands near Japan waters, alarms Tokyo North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Wednesday that landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters for the first time, the latest in a series of launches by the isolated country in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions. More.....
02 Aug 2016	U.K. MoD to grant first £1bn for first Successor submarine UK’s Ministry of Defence is considering granting over £1 billion to Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems so they can start building the first of four Successor ballistic missile submarines. According to a report by The Financial Times, the Ministry might allocate approx. $1.3 billion of funds as early as September this year. More.....
02 Aug 2016	Newest US Navy nuclear submarine completes first voyage The U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia-class submarine, USS Illinois (SSN-786), returned from its maiden open seas voyage after having completed alpha sea trials. Illinois’ alpha sea trials included a range of submarine and propulsion-plant operations, submerging for the first time and high-speed runs on and below the surface to demonstrate that the ship’s propulsion plant is fully mission-capable. More.....
02 Aug 2016	Sea, air and land updates * China’s Defence Ministry announced on 28 July that it will hold joint exercises with Russian forces in the South China Sea. * A British Ministry of Defence spokesperson has confirmed that the Royal Navy’s entire fleet of Type-45 Destroyers are currently docked in Portsmouth and aren't in operation. More.....
01 Aug 2016	All Navy Reunion October 2016. Reunion update.....
31 Jul 2016	Royal Australian Navy sailors rescue drowning man in Honolulu Responsive actions by two Royal Australian Navy sailors deployed to Exercise RIMPAC have saved the life of a drowning man at the waterfront precinct in downtown Honolulu. Hawaiian resident Chad Gillingham fell more than four metres from the pier into the harbour shortly before midnight earlier this month and suffered a serious head wound and lacerations after striking exposed rock on the way down. More.....
28 Jul 2016	Lone Pine service at Gallipoli The commemorative service planned for 6 August at Lone Pine, Gallipoli will not proceed. Turkish authorities have asked the Australian Government to reconsider holding the service on 6 August, 2016 and, following consultation between our governments, the service will not be held. More.....
26 Jul 2016	CJOPS media roundtable Transcript David Johnston, Vice Admiral, Royal Australian Navy conducts an operations update discussing Exercise RIMPAC, operations in Iraq and Syria, and the South China Sea. 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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