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30 Jun 2017	Response to National Mental Health Commission review The Government is delivering improved mental health support for current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families. The Government today outlined the work it is doing on mental health and suicide prevention in its response to the National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) Review into the Suicide and Self Harm Prevention Services available to current and former serving ADF members and their families. More.....
29 Jun 2017	The case for nuclear-powered submarines by The Hon. Tony Abbott MP - former Prime Minister of Australia. Keeping the country safe is the first duty of government and should be the constant concern of those with responsibility for our well-being. But I worry that a decade or so hence, maybe sooner, Australia might face a security crisis in our region and find that governments of yesterday and today had left their successors with inadequate means to deal with it. Government’s job is to plan for the worst as well as to work for the best. We will be judged by history as well as by our contemporaries and, at least where national defence is concerned, we have to think and prepare for the very long term indeed. More.....
29 Jun 2017	HMS Queen Elizabeth joined by frigates on sea trials Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth was joined by two frigates as she embarked on her maiden sea trials. The frigates’ role is to secure the seas around the aircraft carrier as she conducts vital system tests off the coast of Scotland today. HMS Queen Elizabeth left Rosyth, where she has been under construction since 2014, on Monday with 700 sailors and 200 industry contractors on board. More.....
29 Jun 2017	Marking the end of RAMSI The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) will come to a close on 30 June 2017 after nearly 14 years of assistance provided to the Solomon Islands Government. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, acknowledged the significant Defence contribution to RAMSI. “The outstanding success of RAMSI reflects the enduring commitment of Australia and its regional partners in working together to assist the people of the Solomon Islands,” Minister Payne said. More.....
29 Jun 2017	Australia, the US and the Indo-Asia-Pacific by Admiral Harry B. Harris - Commander, US Pacific Command. I’ve visited Australia three times in the past seven months because what happens in Australia matters to the United States of America. And what happens here matters to the world. Our alliance is both defined by its storied past and invigorated by its boundless future. And because of our mateship, we should feel emboldened that we can overcome any future challenges. More.....
29 Jun 2017	Talisman Saber 2017 officially opened in Sydney Australia's largest military exercise, Talisman Saber, was officially opened today aboard the United States Landing Helicopter Dock the USS Bonhomme Richard (BHR) off the Sydney coast. Minister for Urban Development, the Honourable Paul Fletcher MP, representing the Minister for Defence, and the US Charge d'Affaires, Mr James Carouso, officially announced the start of the combined military exercise taking place from late June through to late July. Field training will occur in Shoalwater Bay Training Area, near Rockhampton and Mount Bundy Training Area, south of Darwin. More.....
28 Jun 2017	Family statement on the death of Lieutenant Commander Steven Noakes It is with profound sadness that the Australian Defence Force announces the passing of Lieutenant Commander Steven Noakes. Steven was a much loved husband, father, brother, uncle, son and proud Navy member. He devoted 36 years of his life to serving his country and for that we couldn't be more proud of him. When not home with his family, he was most happiest when at sea with his crew. We wish to extend our thanks to his shipmates and colleagues who provided such a rewarding and joyous career to Steven over the years. His life has made a significant impact on all those who knew and loved him.
28 Jun 2017	Claims Management Forum Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said a national forum today in Canberra would investigate ways to improve the claims process for veterans. Mr Tehan said the Claims Management Forum delivered a Coalition election promise and would help improve the service to veterans provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). More.....
27 Jun 2017	HMS Queen Elizabeth is 'running outdated Windows XP', raising cyber attack fears Fears have been raised that Britain’s largest ever warship could be vulnerable to cyber attacks after it emerged it appears to be running the outdated Microsoft Windows XP. As HMS Queen Elizabeth left its dockyard for the first time to begin sea trials, it was revealed the £3.5billion aircraft carrier is apparently using the same software that left the NHS exposed. More.....
27 Jun 2017	Australian Navy’s MV Sycamore arrives in Sydney Royal Australian Navy’s multi-role aviation training vessel (MATV) MV Sycamore arrived in Sydney harbor on Monday morning after completing her maiden voyage from Vietnam. The 94-metre long vessel is now less than a month away from deployment after completing sea trials in April this year. Built by Damen, MV Sycamore is a special purpose ship that has been designed and constructed to combine both commercial and military characteristics. More.....
27 Jun 2017	Death of a Royal Australian Navy member It is with deep regret the Australian Defence Force can confirm the death of a Royal Australian Navy member. The member was deployed on Operation RESOLUTE in Australian Defence Vessel Cape Inscription. The next of kin have been informed and Defence is providing support to the member's family and shipmates. On behalf of the men and women of the Australian Defence Force, the Chief of the Defence Force extends his deepest sympathy to the family, friends and shipmates of the deceased member. Defence is liaising with local authorities and the cause of death is not yet known. As such, it is not appropriate to provide further details at this time.
27 Jun 2017	Funding applications open for Veterans’ Health Week Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today said that community groups and ex-service organisations could apply for funding to support local events organised for Veterans’ Health Week 2017. Veterans’ Health Week (VHW) will run from Saturday, 21 October, to Sunday, 29 October, 2017 with the theme of ‘physical activity’. More.....
27 Jun 2017	NVN's June Newsletter - download..... 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: and he will copy and amend your address.
27 Jun 2017	Update on HMAS Canberra and Adelaide HMA Ships Adelaide and Canberra are due to complete their maintenance period this week after rectification of emergent issues with their propulsion systems. HMAS Adelaide is due to leave the dry dock at Navy’s Fleet Base East today. Once undocked, HMAS Adelaide will undergo sea trials and a return to its operational capability program over the next few months. More.....
26 Jun 2017	Balance matters as Navy shapes future workforce The Royal Australian Navy is confronting workforce innovation head on, encouraging people to balance their work and home lives, by negotiating their own work routines. Flexible work arrangements are being increasingly used as part of broader efforts to transform Navy into a more inclusive, satisfying and flexible organisation. There are just over 14,000 members in the Navy, and it takes one year to train a marine technician sailor and two years for a Maritime Warfare Officer but often a Navy member will leave after only about seven years in service. More.....
24 Jun 2017	Addressing Queensland RSL State Congress Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today called on the Queensland veteran community to help spread the important message about the mental health support available to former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. “Today I am calling on the Queensland RSL, and the broader veteran community, to get this message out to all current and former members of the ADF: if you think you need help or someone you know needs help, please ask for it – just contact DVA.” More.....
23 Jun 2017	Russian submarine, frigates hit ISIS from Mediterranean, again Two Russian Navy Project 11356 frigates and a Kilo-class submarine have fired six Kalibr cruise missiles at Islamic State positions in Syria, Russian media reported the ministry of defense as saying. The ministry said the strikes hit IS command and control centers in Hama, Syria, adding that it was followed by airstrikes. More.....
23 Jun 2017	A valuable forum for Engineers Victorian base, HMAS Cerberus has been a hive of engineering activity recently, hosting Royal Australian and Royal New Zealand Navy engineers for the annual Engineering Week. Training Authority - Engineering provides the opportunity for Navy engineers of all ranks to gather and discuss a wide variety of topics relevant to Navy’s warfighting objectives. It was also an opportunity for Students undertaking the Engineering Officer Application Course 01/17 to present their final course papers. More.....
22 Jun 2017	Spanish frigate wraps up four months of Aegis training with Australian Navy Spanish Navy’s F-105 frigate ESPS Cristóbal Colón is on her way home after she spent the last four months stationed in Australia helping Royal Australian Navy sailors get acquainted with the Aegis combat system. During her time embedded with the Royal Australian Navy fleet she welcomed more than 200 Australian sailors who will later form the ship’s company of the Aegis-equipped destroyer Hobart due to join the Australian fleet in 2017. More.....
21 Jun 2017	Funding for community commemorative projects Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today announced 62 community projects honouring Australia’s servicemen and women would receive more than $140,000 in Australian Government funding. Mr Tehan said the projects, funded under the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service grants program, honoured the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in our armed forces. More.....
21 Jun 2017	Announcement of the 2017 Australian Invictus Games team It is an honour to announce the Australian team for the 2017 Invictus Games. The Invictus Games is an international, adaptive multi-sports competition for current and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill in service. Forty-three current and former military personnel have been selected to represent Australia at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada from 23-30 September. More.....
20 Jun 2017	Australian Navy completes MRH90 multi-role helicopter trials Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Anzac has recently completed MRH90 trials off the east coast of Australia enhancing multi-role helicopter support to the navy fleet. In a joint activity conducted during the months of May and June, HMAS Anzac embarked an MRH90 flight from 808 Squadron for a trial designed to expand the capability of Anzac class frigates to include day and night flight deck operations in a range of weather conditions. More.....
19 Jun 2017	Should some of our Barracudas go nuclear? Australia’s decision to spend $50 billion on 12 French diesel-electric Shortfin Barracuda submarines reflects a long-established government preference for non-nuclear submarine forces. But will this preference remain strategically credible in future years if our strategic circumstances continue to deteriorate and if potential competitors continue to expand and to modernise their submarine fleets? More.....
19 Jun 2017	Seeking nominations from veterans of Milne Bay and Kokoda and the Beachheads Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan has encouraged veterans to nominate to receive support to attend the commemorations of the Battles of Milne Bay and Kokoda and the Beachheads to be held in Canberra later this year. Mr Tehan said the Government would arrange return travel and accommodation for eligible veterans and an accompanying carer from their home location to attend the commemorations at the Australian War Memorial. More.....
19 Jun 2017	U.S. Navy confirms all 7 missing sailors from USS Fitzgerald found dead The U.S. Navy confirmed on Monday that all seven missing sailors on the USS Fitzgerald were found dead in flooded berthing compartments after the destroyer's collision with a container ship off Japan over the weekend. The USS Fitzgerald and a Philippine-flagged container ship collided south of Tokyo Bay early on Saturday. The cause of the collision in clear weather is not known. A significant portion of the crew was asleep when the collision occurred, tearing a gash under the warship's waterline and flooding two crew compartments, the radio room and the auxiliary machine room. More.....
19 Jun 2017	75th anniversary of loss of HMAS Nestor The lives of three Australian and one British sailor lost during the Second World War when HMAS Nestor was attacked were honoured at a commemorative service at Garden Island, Sydney. On 15 June 1942, Nestor was part of a covering force for a large convoy when she came under air attack about 100 miles north of the port of Tobruk, in Libya. Three heavy bombs straddled the ship, resulting in the No. 1 boiler room being flooded. More.....
18 Jun 2017	$500 million for enhanced satellite capability The Turnbull Government has announced a $500 million investment to improve Australia’s space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, to support ADF operations around the world and at home to secure our borders. This information will be used to support Australia’s defence priorities including defence operations, border protection and humanitarian missions. More.....
17 Jun 2017	More than 1,000 jobs for veterans flagged Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today said more than 1,000 jobs flagged as suitable for veterans had been advertised on the Government’s jobactive website as part of the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program. The Industry Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment, which comprises business leaders from the private sector, met in Canberra this week to review progress on a number of initiatives that will improve the employment pathways of former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel within the private sector. More.....
17 Jun 2017	Seven sailors missing, three injured after U.S. Navy destroyer collides with container ship off Japan Seven sailors are missing and three injured after a U.S. Navy destroyer collided early on Saturday morning with a Philippine-flagged container ship south of Tokyo Bay in Japan, the U.S. Navy said. The Japanese Coast Guard said the destroyer was experiencing some flooding but was not in danger of sinking, while the merchant vessel was able to sail under its own power. The U.S. Navy said in a statement the USS Fitzgerald, an Aegis guided missile destroyer, collided with a merchant vessel at about 2:30 a.m. local time (1730 GMT), some 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, a rare incident on a busy waterway. Three aboard the destroyer had been medically evacuated, including the ship's commanding officer, Cmdr. Bryce Benson, who was reportedly in stable condition after being airlifted to the U.S. Naval Hospital on the Yokosuka base, the Navy said. More.....
16 Jun 2017	USS Shiloh sailor found alive on board after being declared dead A U.S. Navy sailor assigned to guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh was found alive on board after being reported overboard and presumed dead three days before. Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 3rd Class Peter Mims went missing on June 8 when the U.S. Navy launched a massive search operation that included Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Coast Guard assets. The 50-hour search that covered roughly 5,500 square miles of the Philippine Sea was called off on June 11 and Mims was presumed dead. More.....
16 Jun 2017	First Air Warfare Destroyer Hobart accepted by Defence Osborne Naval Shipyard. Today, the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance celebrated the Government’s provisional acceptance of the first destroyer, Hobart, at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia. Hobart is the first of three destroyers being built and integrated by the AWD Alliance which comprises the Department of Defence, Raytheon Australia and ASC with support from Navantia. In the coming months, Hobart will transit from Adelaide to Sydney where she will be commissioned into service by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) later this year. More.....
15 Jun 2017	Government passes Gold Cards for BCOF and BNT veterans’ legislation Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today called on surviving participants of the British Nuclear Test (BNT) program in Australia and veterans who served as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) to register for free health care. Mr Tehan said the DVA Budget passed the Senate today. Mr Tehan said the passage of the Bill meant the Government’s $133.1 million program to provide a Gold Card to the surviving participants of the BNT program in Australia and veterans who served as part of the BCOF would come into effect from 1 July. More.....
14 Jun 2017	US Navy underestimating cost of second Ford-class carrier: GAO The U.S. Navy should develop a more accurate cost estimate for its second Ford-class carrier, the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), if it wants to avoid the mistakes made on the lead ship, an independent watchdog has warned. The recently delivered USS Gerald R. Ford cost the navy over $2 billion more than initially expected. Following a review of the navy’s current estimates for CVN 79, the Government Accountability Office has found that the navy is at risk of repeating the mistakes at the potential cost of of hundreds of millions of dollars. More.....
14 Jun 2017	Freedom of navigation in the South China Sea: Australia must take a stand The spotlight is once again on Australia and whether it will conduct freedom of navigation operations (FONOPS) in the South China Sea. The debate has been revived as a result of remarks made by the recently retired long-standing Australian government bureaucrat Dennis Richardson, and by the visiting US Senator John McCain, followed by Malcolm Turnbull’s robust speech at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on 2 June. More.....
14 Jun 2017	HMAS Arunta narcotics interdiction
14 Jun 2017	HMAS Arunta narcotics interdiction HMAS Arunta has completed a third significant narcotics interdiction after seizing 260kg of heroin in the north Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa as part of Operation MANITOU. The Royal Australian Navy frigate intercepted the vessel after the ship’s embarked Seahawk helicopter detected the suspicious dhow on 7 June during a planned surface search. More.....
13 Jun 2017	Indian warships arrive for bilateral maritime exercise Three Indian warships sailed into Fremantle to participate in a week-long naval exercise off the Western Australian coast. Exercise Australia India (AUSINDEX) is a regular bilateral maritime exercise aimed at developing a deeper understanding and cooperation between the two navies. Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer, said AUSINDEX 17 was a concrete example of India and Australia working more closely together to increase maritime security. More.....
12 Jun 2017	Four navies converge in South China Sea Five ships from Australia, Japan, Canada and the U.S. met in the South China Sea on June 8 for two days of maneuvers and exercises. The exercise included JMSDF destroyers Izumo and Sazanami, RCN frigate HMCS Winnipeg, Australian frigate Ballarat and US destroyer Sterett. More.....
10 Jun 2017	Capability delivery through Naval Reserve A comprehensive review of the Australian Naval Reserve has delivered 45 recommendations that aim to better integrate the part-time and full-time workforces of the fleet. This Review was the most comprehensive examination of the Naval Reserve in recent history and is the foundation for the future generation, sustainment, employment and management of the Reserve as a fully integrated, capable and effective component of Navy’s total workforce. More.....
09 Jun 2017	Navy League of Australia(Vic-Tas Div) June newsletter is now available to download.....
08 Jun 2017	ASC, Austal team up for Future Frigate construction Australian shipbuilders Austal and ASC Shipbuilding announced they are teaming up for the construction of the Australian Navy’s SEA5000 Future Frigates. Under this arrangement, ASC Shipbuilding and Austal will act as one in support of the program, combining their skills and experience. More.....
08 Jun 2017	Wounded, injured and ill Defence members assisted with creative arts program The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has launched its latest round of innovative arts program in Canberra aimed at supporting the recovery of military personnel facing health and wellbeing issues. The ADF Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills (ARRTS) program is currently being run at the University of Canberra. The four week program is an opportunity to provide participants with an uplifting experience that has been designed to build their self-confidence and to assist their movement, speech and attention span. More.....
07 Jun 2017	Watch: Boeing’s giant Echo Voyager UUV starts sea trials Boeing’s extra large unmanned undersea vehicle (XLUVV), the 51 foot (15 meter) long Echo Voyager, has started sea trials off the coast of Southern California, the company announced.
07 Jun 2017	HMS Queen Elizabeth crew moves on board Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is one step closer to departing Rosyth after the ship’s company took up residence on board the UK’s future flagship. Over the last couple of months, the 700-strong ship’s company has been navigating their way around the 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier familiarising themselves with the new and high tech systems on board, undergoing training and eating meals prepared in the galley. More.....
07 Jun 2017	Australia and Indonesia unite to patrol fisheries A joint operation between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Indonesian Armed Forces to stop illegal fishing and improve regional security concluded on Monday in Darwin. Coordinated maritime patrol AUSINDO CORPAT 2017 began in Benoa, Bali on 27 May and covered waters between Australia and Indonesia over a 10 day period. The combined operation targeted the unlawful exploitation of natural resources with a focus on illegal fishing along the shared maritime boundary. More.....
05 Jun 2017	Drones provide a new way of detecting submerged mines Drones are now capable of providing a new way to detect buried and submerged mines, U.S. Navy scientists unveiled during a recent demonstration. Oelrich, a scientist at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock’s Combatant Craft Division, and Stephanson, president and chief executive officer of Broadband Discovery Systems (BDS), stared at an Android tablet showing search data from an unmanned aerial drone they had just flown. More.....
04 Jun 2017	French Navy ships engage Australian, Spanish Navy on their Asia deployment After concluding amphibious drills with U.S. Marines off Guam recently, French Navy ships FS Mistral and FS Courbet trained with Australian and Spanish Navy ships in Australian waters. The French ships engaged Australian ships Success and Parramatta and the Spanish Navy’s Cristobal Colon in waters to the north of Darwin. More.....
02 Jun 2017	Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victorian Chapter) President's June Musings are now available to download.....
02 Jun 2017	Final Nulka missile decoy delivered The final Australian-developed Nulka missile decoy was delivered to the Australian Navy by BAE Systems in April, after three decades of service to Australia, the United States and Canada. Once launched, Nulka can fly a pre-programmed flight path to entice sea-skimming missiles away from a ship. It has a unique design in that it hovers in mid air while seducing the incoming anti-ship missile. More.....
01 Jun 2017	US Navy receives its most expensive ship ever The U.S. Navy has received the future aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), in Newport News, Virginia, May 31. With a price tag of $12.9 billion, USS Gerald R. Ford is the most expensive ship ever built for the U.S. Navy. It is also the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years. More.....
01 Jun 2017	US Navy begins dual carrier operations off Korean Peninsula The U.S. Navy now has two aircraft carriers operating near the Korean Peninsula and they are joined by ships from the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF). Photos released by the U.S. Navy’ 7th Fleet show carrier strike groups centered around aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan and USS Carl Vinson operating together with JMSDF ships in the Sea of Japan. More.....
31 May 2017	Talking to the chiefs: Ray Griggs (part 1) In 2002 Ray Griggs, then captain of the frigate HMAS Arunta, took his ship to the Persian Gulf to help enforce UN sanctions against Iraq. The Anzac-class frigate was equipped with eight air defence missiles and a dated conventional radar system. Arunta is back in the Middle East now with 32 missiles, a front line helicopter and phased array radar system developed in Australia—one of the world’s best. More.....
30 May 2017	UK: Workers hospitalized after carbon monoxide leak on submarine Shipbuilders and Royal Navy personnel working on the UK’s newest Astute-class submarine were taken to hospital on Saturday after a carbon monoxide leak was discovered inside the submarine. According to North West Evening Mail, the evacuation from future HMAS Audacious started when sensors detected high carbon monoxide levels. 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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