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29 Feb 2016	25th Anniversary of the First Gulf War I seek leave of the House to make a Ministerial statement relating to the 25th Anniversary of the First Gulf War, which ended on the 28th of February, 1991. I rise to deliver this statement to remind the House of the debt of gratitude our nation owes to the brave men and women who served in the Persian Gulf in 1990 and 1991. More.....
28 Feb 2016	Cerberus celebrates with community The Westernport Festival in Hastings, Victoria, is the largest annual civilian event in the HMAS Cerberus neighbourhood, and gives base personnel the opportunity to stand alongside other groups to celebrate their community. The festival is traditionally led by the Royal Australian Navy Band. This year's festival also included Navy participants from local Navy Cadet unit TS Tingira and members of the Navy Steam Club. More.....
28 Feb 2016	HMAS Melbourne returns from Middle East After five successful narcotic seizures in the Middle East and 203 days away from home, Royal Australian Navy frigate, HMAS Melbourne was welcomed back to her homeport of Sydney today. Around one thousand family and friends joined the Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer, CSC and Bar, RAN, to welcome the ship’s company home from duties as part of Operation MANITOU. More..... HMAS Melbourne, White Paper, Tax Reform doorstop interview.....
28 Feb 2016	Statement on Lone Pine Commemorations The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Dan Tehan, has announced that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will plan a wreath laying ceremony at Lone Pine on the afternoon of the 24 April 2016, and in accordance with arrangements for the centenary of the Battle of Lone Pine last year, on 6 August the Department will hold a Lone Pine commemorative service for those who wish to pay their respects at the time and place the battle began. More.....
27 Feb 2016	Australian support to Fiji expands The Australian Government has sent HMAS Canberra to Fiji as part of Australia’s ongoing support to Fiji in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston. This will be the first deployment of HMAS Canberra in support of an Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Operation (HADR) overseas. HMAS Canberra, with approximately 880 personnel, is expected to arrive in Fijian waters from early next week. This will boost the substantial Australian aid effort in Fiji, which is already providing humanitarian relief to over 40,000 people. More.....
26 Feb 2016	NVN's February 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.
25 Feb 2016	2016 Defence White Paper The 2016 White Paper is a comprehensive and responsible long-term plan to ensure Australia’s national security. It is the culmination of detailed analysis of our strategic environment, our defence priorities and objectives, and the capabilities required to achieve these outcomes. For the first time, the White Paper released today by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Defence Minister Marise Payne fully aligns strategy, capability and resources to make the Australian Defence Force (ADF) more capable, agile and potent. More..... Interview with ABC.... Doorstop interview..... Defence White Paper.....
23 Feb 2016	Child sexual abuse in the Australian Defence Force Cadets The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse would like anyone who has information regarding child sexual abuse within the Australian Defence Force Cadets to contact the Royal Commission. Royal Commission CEO Philip Reed said the Royal Commission is tasked with investigating how institutions, including government agencies, have responded to allegations and incidents of child sexual abuse. “If you were sexually abused as a member of the Australian Defence Force Cadets when you were a child, the Royal Commission would like to hear from you,” he said. Mr Reed confirmed that the identity of anyone who provides information will be protected and will be kept confidential. At this stage, no public hearing into the Australian Defence Force has been announced. If a hearing is announced at a later date, victims of child sexual abuse will not be compelled to give evidence if they do not wish to. You can contact the Royal Commission via: Phone: 1800 099 340 Email: or Mail: GPO Box 5283, Sydney NSW 2001. For more information on the Royal Commission please visit their website www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au
20 Feb 2016	Air Warfare Destroyer project fires key weapon A key weapon system training platform for the Navy’s new Hobart class destroyers has reached the final stage of certification. The event marked the final stage of the acceptance of the Air Warfare Destroyer Close Range Defence System part task trainer comprising of the Mk 25 Mod 2 Typhoon, operating console and simulator. More.....
19 Feb 2016	Canberra shows the way for next era HMAS Canberra has demonstrated her amphibious capacity for the latest cohort of trainee sailors, using her landing craft to transport nearly 350 personnel across Western Port Bay, Victoria. The landing craft from Canberra were used for the exercise, giving new sailors a taste of life on board one of Navy's largest amphibious ships. More.....
19 Feb 2016	Remembering the Bombing of Darwin Dan Tehan, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, today urged Australians to pause and remember the day the Second World War came to Australian shores. “On this day 74 years ago, Australia faced the first World War II attack on our home soil,” Minister Tehan said. More.....
16 Feb 2016	Hello sailor! Navy offers $50,000 per man in bid to keep sub fleet afloat Sailors on Australia's submarines will be given annual lump sum payments of up to $50,000 just for staying in their jobs as navy bosses grow increasingly desperate to keep crews on the boats. The navy's high command hopes the big money offer will end their long struggle to hold on to enough sailors to maintain Australia's vital submarine warfare capability. More.....
16 Feb 2016	Chief of Navy Speeches: Commemoration Day for Tasmanian National Service Association Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentleman. On behalf of the Chief of the Defence Force, and all men and women serving in the ADF, I congratulate those who have planned and organized this annual Tasmanian national service commemoration. I am privileged to have the opportunity to address you. None of what I am about to say will be unknown to those former national servicemen on parade today, but it may be new information for those of us too young to remember the two periods of National Service 1951-59 and 1964-72. More.....
15 Feb 2016	Defence's spotlight role in Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo The Australian Defence Force showcased its Combined Military Bands, Australia’s Federation Guard, and for the first time, the Pipes and Drums of the Australian Defence Force contingent during performances at the 2016 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Etihad Stadium last weekend. Among those to attend the Tattoo over the weekend was the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, who said he was proud to see the ADF perform alongside Commonwealth and international bands as part of the inspiring military spectacle. More.....
12 Feb 2016	2016 Anzac Day Commemorations in Turkey Planning for the 2016 Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in Turkey is well on track. One of the highest priorities for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is to work closely with a range of Australian Government and Turkish authorities, to ensure the health and well-being of those attending. More.....
12 Feb 2016	Public hearings for Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal’s Long Tan honours review The issue of recognition for Australian soldiers who fought in the Battle of Long Tan, Vietnam is to be reviewed by the independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal. The review follows an application on behalf of 13 soldiers by Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith SG MC (Retd), one of the commanders, in the battle regarded as a watershed moment in Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. More.....
11 Feb 2016	Warfighting strategy steers Navy fleet Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer has encouraged all Navy members to embrace the Navy Warfighting Strategy 2018, launched at HMAS Watson late last year. “The Navy Warfighting Strategy outlines how we are going to get from the Navy of today to the Navy of the future," Rear Admiral Mayer said. "A Navy capable of generating and deploying self-supported and sustainable maritime task groups capable of accomplishing the full spectrum of maritime security operations with lethality." More.....
11 Feb 2016	HMAS Cerberus Open Day HMAS Cerberus will be holding its biennial Open Day on Sunday 23rd October 2016. The theme for this event is to be ‘Communication and Innovation’ and will incorporate the anniversary of 95 Years of Training. The Open Day planning has commenced and is hoped to include displays and demonstrations from the Navy, Army and Air Force, as well as emergency services, various civilian groups, local businesses and community organisations. The event attracts in excess of 20,000 visitors and is widely publicised throughout Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. Mark it down on your calendar.
11 Feb 2016	Australian flavour for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo More than 250 members of Australia’s Defence Forces are in Melbourne preparing for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, due to be held later this week. The Combined Military Band comprises 95 members, the Pipes and Drums of the ADF has 40 members and the contingent from Australia’s Federation Guard numbers 116. More.....
11 Feb 2016	HMAS Melbourne heads home HMAS Melbourne deployed to the Middle East Region for Operation Manitou, Australia’s contribution to the US-led multi-national Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) on 9 August 2015. In her seven-month deployment, Melbourne made a significant impact on drug trafficking and enhanced maritime security in the region, seizing nearly one tonne of illegal narcotics from five successful boardings while in the region. View the YouTube video.....
10 Feb 2016	A new plan to attract and retain submariners The Submarine Deliberately Differentiated Package was announced on 29 January, and Assistant Director of Navy Workforce Management (Warfare), Commander Guy Blackburn, said the package was a new approach to delivering Navy’s workforce requirements. "It addresses the financial considerations as well as the wider professional, career and social issues that submariners indicated are affecting their intention to serve in the submarine capability and wider Navy," he said. More.....
10 Feb 2016	Navy remembers HMAS Voyager On this day in 1964, the Royal Australian Navy aircraft carrier, HMAS Melbourne collided with the Navy's Daring class destroyer, HMAS Voyager, off Jervis Bay, killing 81 sailors and one civilian dockyard worker. During the night of 10 February, Voyager and Melbourne collided when the destroyer passed in front of the carrier during post-refit sea trials. Voyager was cut in two by the collision, sinking with the loss of 82 of the 314 people onboard. This remains the largest loss of Australian military personnel in peacetime, and the subsequent investigations resulted in two Royal Commissions. More.....
10 Feb 2016	Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victorian Chapter - President's February musings are now available to download.....
09 Feb 2016	Chief of Navy Speeches: ADM Conference - Navy and the Nation I would like to thank the ADM for the opportunity to speak today. Those in the audience who have heard me speak over the last 12 months will hear me deliver some familiar themes and indeed similar statements. But it is important to state emphatically and repeatedly what is needed from defence and industry. This year, the focus of my efforts is to draw the Navy and the Nation together in what I believe is a common endeavour. This is essential if we are to build 21st century Navy that is fit for purpose. More.....
09 Feb 2016	Vale - CMDR Ashley William Greedy, AM, RAN (Retd) Family, friends, past and present serving musicians came together recently to mark the passing of a man who left an indelible legacy for all Royal Australian Navy musicians. Commander Ashley William Greed passed away on 26 January, and a service celebrating his life was held at St Marks Chapel, HMAS Cerberus, in Victoria last week. Reaching the career pinnacle for Royal Australian Navy musicians, Commander Greedy held the esteemed position as the seventh Director of Music – Navy, for a decade. More.....
09 Feb 2016	Navy League of Australia(Vic-Tas Div) February newsletter is now available to download.....
08 Feb 2016	Countries urged to work together for security at sea A message of international cooperation has been a feature of the International Fleet Review in India, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling on countries to continue to work together to secure maritime stability. India hosted the International Fleet Review at Visakhapatnam from February 4-8. More.....
08 Feb 2016	HMAS Darwin's 'Battlecat' exercises with Japanese Navy Navy has continued to build relationships with Pacific partners by conducting helicopter exercises with the Japanese Navy. HMAS Darwin, under command of Commander Phillip Henry, was recently joined by the Japanese destroyer Matsuyuki in the Bay of Bengal. Both ships were sailing to the Indian Navy International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam, India. More.....
07 Feb 2016	Melbourne hosts the Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience The Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience travelling exhibition officially opened in Melbourne today. Featuring more than 200 artefacts, usually housed at the Australian War Memorial, Melbourne residents are encouraged to visit this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Stuart Robert, said the travelling exhibition has been widely embraced by audiences. More.....
06 Feb 2016	Life on board a warship in our much-reduced Royal Navy Article by Nigel Farndale - The Spectator The Royal Navy is known as the Senior Service because of its illustrious history; Francis Drake and all that. But the days when it ruled the waves have long gone. In 1945 it had almost 900 warships and a million men. By the time of the Falklands War it was down to 70 warships and 70,000 men. Now it is less than half that, with more admirals than there are fighting ships. More.....
05 Feb 2016	Navy remembers lives lost in Shark 02 off Nias The Navy family has again paused to remember nine Air Force and Navy personnel who lost their lives when helicopter Shark 02 crashed during humanitarian relief operations on the island of Nias, south of Sumatra in 2005. HMAS Darwin, with Commander Phillip Henry in charge, paid tribute to the personnel who lost their lives in the accident in a ceremony as the ship was transiting the north-east coast of Sumatra en route to the Middle East. More.....
05 Feb 2016	Minister for Defence opens new CEA Technologies facility The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, today officially opened a new CEA Technologies facility, which will supply cutting edge radar technology to the Royal Australian Navy. Canberra’s CEA Technologies is providing radar technology to Navy’s eight ANZAC Class Frigates as part of their Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) Upgrade Program. More.....
04 Feb 2016	Regional partners exercise in Bay of Bengal The Royal Australian Navy has prepared for its role in the 2016 International Fleet Review (IFR) with HMAS Darwin sailing in company in the Bay of Bengal. The International Fleet Review, hosted by the Indian Navy, begins today. It is expected 24 warships will represent participating countries, and 25 foreign naval chiefs will visit India for the IFR. More.....
31 Jan 2016	A day on the water for the kids HMAS Cerberus Water Ski Club has started the year with a splash, in a day to support children and families with cancer. The club, for Navy members at the Navy's largest training establishment, joined with the Carrum Water Ski Club and the Challenge organisation to host a day of water activities at the National Water Sports Centre in Bangholme, Victoria. More.....
31 Jan 2016	ADSO Comment On The Proposed Royal Commission Into DVA ADSO is an alliance of some of the most long-standing defence and ex-service organisations in Australia. Each in their own right has strong ties to both their inservice ADF constituencies and to the veterans with whom they once served and counted as colleagues. Collectively, they now number over 90,000 members. Recently a number of member organisations have been approached by the Australian Peacekeeper & Peacemaker Veterans' Association (APPVA) to support a call for a Royal Commission into the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). More.....
29 Jan 2016	Chief of Navy update – Mrs Wendy Malonyay briefs Navy Senior Leadership Group \| On the Record In November last year an ABC documentary ‘Hitting Home’ highlighted the scourge of domestic violence against women. The documentary revealed the level of domestic violence in Australia with frightening statistics. One of the cases presented was that of Elliott Coulson, a sailor who killed his girlfriend Kate Malonyay in April 2013. The subsequent decision by Navy at the time to provide support at the funeral of Seaman Coulson caused great distress to Mrs Malonyay, her family and many in the community. The documentary criticised Navy for this action and for not providing an apology to Mrs Malonyay. 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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