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30 Sep 2018	Why we need a radically new defence policy Australia’s international security outlook is starting to look very unpredictable and potentially threatening. Australian defence planners must now deal with a world which is very different from any they have known before. America is undermining the international order, it has started a seriously escalating trade war with China and it is threatening the unity of NATO. At the same time, China and Russia are becoming increasingly assertive militarily and aligned in their anti-Western attitudes. All this is taking place at the same time as a crisis of democracy in the West is distracting it from wielding its national power. More.....
30 Sep 2018	Cultural exchanges as Aussies and Japanese cross deck Royal Australian Navy sailors have tasted life at sea with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as personnel from both services temporarily swapped places after Exercise Kakadu. On completion of the exercise, HMAS Newcastle and JS Sazanami DD-113 adjusted their programs to depart together from Darwin and conduct a Passage Exercise Program for three days. More.....
30 Sep 2018	F-35Bs land on HMS Queen Elizabeth for first time ever
30 Sep 2018	DVA White & Gold Card Holders can have EMERGENCY ID MEDICAL ALERTS PAID FOR BY DVA The rate of veterans with medical needs is high. Emergency ID can hold information that is vitally important in an emergency situation. Emergency Services and medical professionals are trained to seek out emergency identification to obtain VITAL information about the patient which could assist in both their treatment and contacting their next of kin. Emergency ID have developed a "DVA Pack" specifically for Department of Veteran's Affairs clients. The pack includes: Download full details.....
29 Sep 2018	HMAS Melbourne conducts Passage Exercise with People’s Liberation Army-Navy HMAS Melbourne has completed a visit to the Chinese port of Zhanjiang and conducted a combined passage exercise with the PLA-N Ship, Xianning. Part of Navy’s North East Asian Deployment for 2018, the short passage exercise conducted after sailing from port included routine safety of life at sea drills, helicopter search and rescue operations, as well as navigation and ship handling exercises. More.....
28 Sep 2018	NVN's September 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.
28 Sep 2018	Perth (I) survivor David William Manning remembered A new plaque has been unveiled during a ceremony at HMAS Cerberus in memory of the late Mr David William Manning, a survivor of the sinking of HMAS Perth (I) in 1942 during the battle of Sunda Strait. The ceremony was attended by family and friends, including Mr Manning’s widow Mrs Audrey Manning. More.....
27 Sep 2018	World’s first floating nuclear power plant heads for dismantling site The US Army’s first floating nuclear power plant vessel Sturgis got underway from the Port of Brownsville and is en route to her dismantling site. The vessel is being towed from Galveston to the International Shipbreaking Limited facility after undergoing radiological decommissioning that included the safe removal of all components of the deactivated nuclear reactor and all associated radioactive waste that was formerly onboard. More.....
27 Sep 2018	HMAS Ballarat on her way home after search and rescue mission The Commanding Officer of HMAS Ballarat has praised the proficiency of his ship’s company after the frigate was ordered to crash sail to reach two participants in a global sailing event whose yachts had been de-masted in the Indian Ocean south of Perth. Ballarat is now on her way back to Fleet Base West having recovered one of the two race participants, the Irish national Mr Gregor McGuckin from the remote Amsterdam Island in the Southern Indian Ocean. The other participant, Indian Navy Commander Abhilash Tomy, will embark in an Indian Navy Frigate in the next 24-48 hours. More.....
26 Sep 2018	Veterans Pension Set to Increase VETERAN pension payments have increased in line with the biannual indexation process. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester said this Government is working hard to put veterans' and their families first. "Our Government provides more than $11.2 billion each year to deliver essential services and programs to support 290,000 veterans and their families," Mr Chester said. "The new pension rates will be fully effective from pension payday 11 October 2018 for pension recipients including veterans, their partners, war widows and widowers across Australia." More.....
25 Sep 2018	A joint invitation from Richmond RSL Sub-branch and Naval Association of Australia Melbourne Subsection Richmond RSL Sub-branch & NAA Melbourne Subsection Extends an invitation to: HMAS Choules and the NAA Victoria To join them at the Richmond RSL clubrooms for an AFL Grand Final Warm-up From midday, Saturday 29 September 2018 to presentation of the Cup (6.30 pm) 401 Church Street Richmond. Download the flyer.....
25 Sep 2018	Funding for national ex-service organisations MORE than $138,000 in funding will be shared amongst national ex-service organisations to assist them in improving their service delivery to veterans. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester said he was pleased to announce the funding through the Grants-in-Aid program. "The Grants-in-Aid program provides essential funding to assist national ex-service organisations to provide ongoing support to the local veteran communities throughout Australia," Mr Chester said. More.....
24 Sep 2018	Download full details and entry form.....
24 Sep 2018	Defence Seminar Several established Ex-service Organisations have partnered to provide a seminar that will enlighten those interested in Australia's Defence Force and the challenges of both developing a Defence white Paper and implementing the strategy. Each of the Services will have a representative to present on their respective Service with the intent of holding a panel discussion on conclusion. Please see the flyer and should you have colleagues or members that may be interested, we ask that you share the flyer with them. If you have a noticeboard at your disposal you might print off a copy and exhibit it for others to read. For those interstate, should you be in Melbourne for any particular reason, we can provide several hours of interest with like-minded folk. Please give this opportunity your consideration and also share as far and wide as possible. The purpose being to provide an opportunity for anyone with an interest in Defence to be brought up to date on today's ADF strategic intentions.
23 Sep 2018	Chief of Navy welcomes HMB Endeavour find The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan, AO, RAN, says confirmation that Australian and US marine archaeologists have found the wreck of Captain Cook’s ship HMB (His Majesty's Bark) Endeavour adds a significant page to Australia’s maritime history. The Endeavour has been located in Narragansett Bay, off Newport, Rhode Island following an extensive search by experts from the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) and the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP). The ship, which Captain James Cook sailed to Australia in 1770, was scuttled by British forces during the American war of Independence in 1778. More.....
23 Sep 2018	ADF assists in recovery of injured solo yachtsman The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is assisting in the search and rescue effort for an injured solo yachtsman, approximately 1800 nautical miles off the West Australian coast. The sailor, an officer in the Indian Navy, was competing in the Golden Globe Race. It is understood he suffered a serious back injury when his ten metre vessel Thuriya was de-masted in extreme weather. Royal Australian Navy Frigate HMAS Ballarat sailed from Perth last night, at approximately 1800 local time for the yacht’s last known location. More.....
22 Sep 2018	Going forward to Manus Chinese influence in the South Pacific is growing. Through ‘debt-trap diplomacy’, Beijing is extending a spur off its Maritime Silk Road that runs across the South China Sea and into Papua New Guinea and the chain of South Pacific countries. Beijing’s attempted move into our region generates highly undesirable strategic outcomes for Australia. Chinese investment under the Belt and Road Initiative is not without hefty strings attached. It’s not ‘win–win’ for China and the recipient, but simply ‘win’ for China, which not only gets access to local resources and new markets, and forward presence, but can coerce the recipient state to pay a ‘tribute’ to Beijing by ceding local assets when it can’t pay back its debts. More.....
22 Sep 2018	Archaeologists zero in on Cook’s Endeavour AFTER an epic 25-year search, experts have made a bold claim about remains they believe belong to the famous HMS Endeavour. Australian and US archaeologists now officially believe they may have found Captain James Cook’s HMS Endeavour, but it could take four months to ascertain whether this is correct. That’s because they have to test wood taken from a wreck found at the bottom of a harbour on America’s east coast after an epic 25 year search. More.....
22 Sep 2018	Royal Navy buying Teledyne-built SEAL delivery vehicles The US State Department has approved the sale of three SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDV) MK 11 Shallow Water Combat Submersibles (SWCS) to the United Kingdom. The contract is worth an estimated $90 million and includes spares, handling and test equipment, and program support. According to the statement, the incorporation of the new system is not expected to be a challenge considering the UK Royal Navy’s experience in operating the predecessor system from dry-deck shelters on Astute-class SSNs. More.....
22 Sep 2018	Opinion: Do what’s right for our Blue Water Vietnam veterans By: Rear Adm. Christopher W. Cole, National Executive Director of the Association of the United States Navy The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2017 (H.R. 299) is currently languishing in the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and as a result, vital funding of benefits that impacts the lives and livelihoods of veterans now hangs in the balance. The fact that a funding bill, the Fiscal Year 2019 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill was completed with full bipartisan passage makes spending arguments on the Blue Water Navy legislation unacceptable. More.....
22 Sep 2018	Nutrition key theme for Veterans' Health Week 2018 NUTRITION is the theme of the over 140 events and activities being held during Veterans' Health Week 2018, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Darren Chester MP said today. "Proper nutrition is vital for all of us to lead healthier lives. We know that good nutrition leads to improved health and wellbeing, which plays a major role in helping veterans achieve better lifestyle outcomes. When we eat better, we feel better and we are much healthier and happier," Mr Chester said. More.....
21 Sep 2018	The Big E keeps costing the Navy big bucks The once proud aircraft carrier Enterprise is now a financial burden on the Navy. Officials announced Monday that the Navy will fork over an additional $34 million to the Huntington Ingalls Newport News shipyard to keep mothballing the world’s first nuclear carrier and prepare its hull for towing elsewhere. In 2013, the Navy awarded a $745 million contract to the shipyard to drain the flattop’s reactor fuel and prep the warship for permanent deactivation, but it hasn’t budged since. More.....
21 Sep 2018	Ex Military Land Rovers offered to RSL Two hundred ex-Army Land Rovers will be made available to Returned and Services Leagues (RSL) for use on ANZAC Day and at other ceremonies according to Minister for Defence Personnel and Veteran’s Affairs, Darren Chester at the Australian War Memorial today. Mr Chester said Australia has a rich history of service of the Land Rover 4x4 fleet and was pleased to know this legacy would live on for decades to come. “Soon RSLs around the country will have their own piece of history on display to share with their communities,” Mr Chester said. More.....
21 Sep 2018	Accessible mental health support for veterans THE Government today acknowledged the release of two reports from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) — the 2018 update on the Causes of death among serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel: 2002–2015, and the National suicide monitoring of serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the latest findings show those who choose to serve in the ADF are, on average, healthier than the general community. However, the findings also highlight the need to support the mental health of veterans, particularly those under 30. More.....
20 Sep 2018	Russia’s second Lada-class submarine launched 13 years after construction start Russian shipbuilder Admiralty Shipyards has launched the Russian Navy’s second Project 677 (Lada-class) submarine ‘Kronshtadt’. The launching ceremony took place in St. Petersburg, on Thursday, September 20 – 13 years after construction works first started on the submarine in 2005. The first submarine in the class, Sankt Peterburg (B-585) entered service 20 years ago and serves as an experimental platform. More.....
20 Sep 2018	Royal Navy Sea Kings retire with ceremonial flypast after 49 years of service The Royal Navy’s Sea King Mk7 helicopters officially retired from active service as two Sea Kings from 849 Naval Air Squadron performed a final, three-hour flypast on September 19. Helicopters ZE420 and ZA126 flew as far east as Teignmouth, over the wilds of Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, the northern Cornish resorts of Padstow, Newquay and St Ives, before a final sight of Land’s End, Penzance, Mounts Bay and back to Culdrose. More.....
20 Sep 2018	Supporting veterans and their communities FUNDING of more than $170,000 will be provided to community groups supporting veterans under the latest round of the Veteran and Community Grants program. Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Darren Chester, announced 17 grants for organisations helping veterans in the community. "The organisations receiving funding in this round will provide a range of essential services for veterans and their families," Mr Chester said. More.....
19 Sep 2018	Japan dispatches submarine Kuroshio to South China Sea ASW drill A Japanese Oyashio-class submarine joined a number of other JMSDF units for an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) drill in the South China Sea last week. This is reportedly the first time that Japan’s defense ministry has confirmed the participation of a submarine in a drill in the disputed South China Sea region. According to the defense ministry, diesel-electric submarine JS Kuroshio (SS-596) joined helicopter carrier JS Kaga and destroyers JS Inazuma and JS Suzutsuki on September 13 for an ASW exercise. More.....
18 Sep 2018	104 years on, Australian experts reveal new evidence behind WWI submarine HMAS AE1’s tragic loss On the 104th anniversary of the loss of Australia’s first submarine HMAS AE1, a report released by the Australian National Maritime Museum today reveals new evidence which may finally solve the mystery behind its disappearance on 14 September 1914. The Royal Australian Navy’s AE1 was lost at sea with all hands on 14 September 1914 and its fate remained a mystery until its discovery in December 2017 off the Duke of York Island, near Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. AE1 was the first loss for the RAN and the first Allied submarine loss in WWI but ultimately a tragedy felt by all Australians. Download the full 93 page report.....
18 Sep 2018	HMS Queen Elizabeth enters Norfolk Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, after evading Hurricane Florence which hit the East Coast of the USA. The ‘WESTLANT 18’ Task Group, which includes the carrier’s escort, HMS Monmouth, was forced to take evasive action to avoid the damaging winds which have lashed North and South Carolina and Virginia, bringing tidal surges and several months’ worth of rain throughout the weekend. More.....
17 Sep 2018	Ongoing dispute over three-masted tall ship divides two Balkan neighbors Montenegro and Croatia have resolved almost all of their differences more than two decades after fighting a war, except for one: a dispute over an 85-year-old former Royal Yugoslav Navy training ship. The majestic sailing vessel called Jadran, or the Adriatic, is currently part of the Montenegrin naval fleet based in the port of Tivat. Croatia is demanding the return of the tall ship, which Montenegro adamantly refuses to do. More.....
17 Sep 2018	The US Navy is going to need a bigger boat, and it’s getting ready to buy one The U.S. surface Navy is moving rapidly toward buying a new large surface ship that will replace the aging cruisers, a ship that Navy leaders and experts say will need to be spacious to accommodate future upgrades and weapon systems. The office of the Chief of Naval Operations Director of Surface Warfare, or OPNAV N96, has convened a “large surface combatant requirements evaluation team” to figure out what the Navy’s next large ship will look like and what it will need to do. The goal, according to the N96 head Rear Adm. Ron Boxall, will be to buy the first cruiser replacement in 2023 or 2024. More.....
14 Sep 2018	Coast Guard had searched for the young killer whale Efforts to find a sick young orca from a critically endangered population of killer whales in the Pacific Northwest came up empty Thursday, and a scientist who tracks the animals declared her dead — though federal authorities said they’d keep looking. The grim news means scientists believe just 74 whales remain in a group that has failed to reproduce successfully in the past three years. The orcas have struggled with pollution, boat noise and, most severely, a dearth of their preferred prey, chinook salmon, because of dams, habitat loss and overfishing. More.....
14 Sep 2018	Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victorian Chapter) President's September Musings are now available to download.....
14 Sep 2018	This new wireless communication device fits on your teeth There’s a new wireless communication device, but it doesn’t go in your ears. Instead, it goes on your teeth. Yes, your teeth. California-based Sonitus Technologies is working with the Defense Department to implement the Molar Mic, a miniaturized traditional headset that clips to a user’s back teeth, according to the news release. The device ditches the need for ear pieces, microphones and wires on the head. More.....
14 Sep 2018	ITF prepping to embark two F-35Bs on board HMS Queen Elizabeth The F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force (ITF) is preparing to embark two F-35Bs on board the United Kingdom’s newest aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth for first of class flight trials (fixed wing) this fall. Nearly 200 ITF personnel—active duty US and UK military, US Department of Defense (DOD) civilians as well as contractors from DOD and industry—will join the ship’s 1,500-person crew in making history when the two jets land on the British carrier. The event will be the first time an F-35 has ever landed on a foreign vessel and it helps bring an end to the eight-year hiatus since a British aircraft carrier last operated a fast jet from its deck. More.....
13 Sep 2018	Japanese destroyer tests ballistic missile defense system off Hawaii The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) guided missile destroyer JS Atago (DDG-177) has successfully intercepted and destroyed a US ballistic missile in a test conducted off the coast of Kauai in Hawaii. The test was supported by JMSDF and the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA) in cooperation with the US Navy. More.....
12 Sep 2018	Female Veterans share their unique perspective HEADLINING a week of events honouring our current, and former, female Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, the third Female Veterans Policy Forum is bringing together a large, diverse group of female veterans to share their unique perspectives on life during and after military service. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester today opened the Forum and said he looked forward to discussing how the Department of Veterans' Affairs could better support women who are serving, or have served, in defence of our nation. More.....
12 Sep 2018	Kakadu 2018 comes to a close
10 Sep 2018	Drunken British sailors are invading Florida and beating each other up, because why not? The redcoats are coming, the redcoats are coming — to fight at a bar near you. Watering holes everywhere in the vicinity of Naval Station Mayport experienced a major boon in business this week after British sailors from the Royal Navy’s prized new carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived in the northeast Florida port of Jacksonville Beach. Hundreds of sailors rambled off the ship Wednesday following a weeks-long journey that marked the 65,000-ton vessel’s first transatlantic voyage. More.....
10 Sep 2018	Australian 2nd air warfare destroyer reaches Sydney Royal Australian Navy’s second Hobart-class air warfare destroyer NUSHIP Brisbane has arrived at her home base of Fleet Base East, Garden Island Sydney, for the first time. The newbuilding will be commissioned into the navy fleet on October 27, 2018, according to the country’s defense minister. More.....
10 Sep 2018	Royal Australian Navy’s third Anzac-class ship arrives in Henderson for AMCAP upgrade BAE Systems Australia has welcomed the Royal Australian Navy’s third Anzac class warship to its Henderson facility. As explained, this is part of the navy’s fleet upgrade to keep the ships in service until they are replaced by the Hunter class frigates. The Mid Life Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade is being undertaken at Henderson by the Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) Alliance. More.....
08 Sep 2018	The End of an Era for the Westland Sea King The Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm is celebrating nearly 50 years of the Westland Sea King, as it finally pays off in 2018. If you flew or maintained these helicopters whilst serving on a Royal Navy Squadron at any time during your career you can attend the Aussie version of that celebration by attending a "Downunder Dinner". Download flyer for more information and booking details.....
08 Sep 2018	Navy F-35C suffers first major airborne mishap The Navy’s next-generation F-35 fighter jet reached an unwanted milestone last month when a carrier-based Lightning II suffered a major airborne mishap. It took place on Aug. 22, when an F-35C from the “Rough Raiders” of Strike Fighter Squadron 125 was being refueled in-flight by a F/A-18F Super Hornet operating from the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, according to Cmdr. Ron Flanders, a spokesman for Naval Air Forces. “During the refueling, part of the refueling basket broke off, and that debris was ingested into the engine of the F-35," he said. More.....
08 Sep 2018	Kakadu Task Groups form up The sea phase of Exercise Kakadu has shifted up a gear, with coalition ships beginning a series of challenging and complex manoeuvres off the coast of the Northern Territory. Four ships from Australia, Singapore and China, rehearsed procedures for manoeuvring warships so the units can confidently progress to more advanced scenarios. More.....
07 Sep 2018	Appointment of members to the Veterans' Review Board MINISTER for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester today announced that the Governor-General His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Ret’d) has appointed five new members and reappointed five members to the Veterans’ Review Board (VRB). The VRB is an independent tribunal that reviews decisions about Repatriation pensions (other than Service Pensions) and attendant allowance. More.....
07 Sep 2018	Celebrating veterans' artistic talent TODAY we celebrate the launch of the 56th year of the Story Writing and Art Competition, encouraging and highlighting the artistic talents of Victoria’s ex-service community. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the competition, run jointly by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Austin Health and the state’s ex-service community has played an important role in enhancing the health and wellbeing of participants. More.....
06 Sep 2018	The Navy’s top lawyer unlawfully scuttled a SEAL’s case, court rules In a landmark decision Wednesday, the military’s highest court ruled that the Navy’s top lawyer, Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III, illegally meddled in the case of a SEAL accused of rape. The split 3-2 decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces tosses out the highly decorated commando’s 2014 court-martial conviction and bars the armed forces from ever trying him again. More.....
06 Sep 2018	Jason Dunham Counts 2,521 AK-47s Seized The guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) seized an illicit weapons shipment of 2,521 AK-47 automatic rifles aboard a stateless skiff in the international waters of the Gulf of Aden, Aug. 28. The count follows an initial estimate of more than 1,000 rifles. The skiff was determined to be stateless following a flag verification boarding conducted in accordance with international law. The origin and intended destination of the skiff have not been determined. More.....
06 Sep 2018	UK’S new aircraft carrier arrives in Mayport, USA HMS Queen Elizabeth, has arrived in Mayport, Florida for her first ever visit to the USA, following her formal commission into the Royal Navy by her sponsor, Her Majesty, The Queen. The 65,000 tonne ship departed the UK last month for her first trans-Atlantic voyage, primarily to conduct trials on deck with F-35B Lightning II test fighter jets from the Integrated Test Force at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. More.....
06 Sep 2018	Thirty-three headstones and plaques for World War One Veterans unveiled The Federal and State Ministers for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester and Guy Barnett today unveiled 33 headstones and plaques for World War One Veterans buried at Cornelian Bay cemetery. The Tasmanian Headstone Project was created in 2011 to properly honour veterans who were buried in unmarked graves or in circumstances where a headstone had been lost. Experts have advised that there may be more than 250 soldiers who are buried in unmarked graves in the cemetery. More.....
06 Sep 2018	Support our veterans by buying a Legacy badge TODAY on Badge Day of Legacy Week 2018, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester is encouraging all Australians to buy a Legacy badge to show their support for families of Australian veterans who have given their life or health for their country. “Legacy week is the time to show your support by buying a badge from the dedicated Legacy volunteers or our outstanding Australian Defence Force personnel who are out and about on street corners, trains stations and shopping centres across the nation,” Mr Chester said. More.....
05 Sep 2018	Remembering the Battle for Australia On the first Wednesday of September each year we commemorate the Battle for Australia, acknowledging the bravery and sacrifice of more than half a million service personnel and civilians who defended Australia during the Second World War. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester today encouraged all Australians to pause and reflect on the experiences of those who defended our nation during 1942–45. "Australia came under direct attack from the Japanese who sought to destroy Darwin's airfields before their attack on Timor, launching the first air raids against the town on 19 February 1942," Mr Chester said. More.....
05 Sep 2018	Cultural Evening on Exercise Kakadu
05 Sep 2018	Navy League of Australia(Vic-Tas Div) September newsletter is now available to download.....
05 Sep 2018	Sydney collection expands at Australian War Memorial Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan, has gifted significant items from HMAS Sydney (IV) to the Australian War Memorial. The items consisted of the ship's name board, ceremonial life buoy, ship’s badge and a canvas print of HMAS Sydney (IV) leading the RAN Fleet into Sydney Harbour during the 2013 International Fleet Review. In presenting the items, Vice Admiral Noonan spoke of the enduring legacy these historical pieces will represent in the Australian War Memorial’s collection. More.....
05 Sep 2018	All in the Navy family — mother and son enlist together Curtis Abbott had already visited Army and Air Force recruiting offices and heard the sales pitches. Wanting to meticulously weigh which service branch would be most beneficial, Abbott decided to make an additional stop on his recruiting office tour — this time the Navy variety. Accompanied by his mother, Melissa Ensey, the 18-year-old Abbott walked into the Missouri office, sat down and and readied to listen intently to Navy Career Counselor 1st Class Shawn Dery explain everything the Navy could offer. More.....
05 Sep 2018	Naval Academy accepts longer hairstyles for women The U.S. Naval Academy is allowing female midshipmen to wear ponytails and other longer hairstyles. The policy was announced during a Board of Visitors meeting Monday. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson first announced the Navy's changes in July, saying they make the Navy more inclusive. The academy conducted its own review before accepting the changes. More.....
04 Sep 2018	Australia and Japan remember together The Commanding Officers of Japanese Ship (JS) Sazanami and HMAS Coonawarra were among representatives who attended wreath laying ceremonies in Darwin recently during Exercise KAKADU 2018. The memorial events took place at two of Darwin’s prominent war memorials – the I-124 Submarine Memorial and Darwin Cenotaph. The Japanese submarine I-124 was sunk by HMAS Deloraine on 20 January 1942 – the first Japanese submarine to be sunk by an Australian ship. More.....
03 Sep 2018	Commemorating the Service of Australia's Merchant Mariners Known as Merchant Navy Day, today recognises Australian service and civilian personnel who served on merchant vessels for more than a century. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester said merchant mariners had served in times of war and conflict, transporting service personnel, supplies and equipment across dangerous seas and oceans. More.....
03 Sep 2018	McCain buried at Naval Academy alongside a longtime friend Sen. John McCain’s final journey ended Sunday on a grassy hill at the U.S. Naval Academy within view of the Severn River and earshot of midshipmen present and future, and alongside a lifelong friend. A horse-drawn caisson carrying the senator's casket led a procession of mourners from the academy's chapel to its cemetery following a private service. The senator's widow, Cindy, and his children were among those who walked behind the caisson. Joining them were family and friends as well as members of McCain's Class of 1958, military leaders and academy midshipmen. More.....
02 Sep 2018	US Navy’s Fat Leonard case implodes With the close of the Navy’s first Fat Leonard court-martial trial, the defendant is going to the brig but he escaped the most serious charges and potentially jeopardized future federal fraud cases against a string of past and present sailors. Cmdr. David Morales was found guilty of only two of the five charges he faced — conduct unbecoming an officer and making a false official statement. After closing arguments on Friday, the Navy trial judge, Capt. Charles N. Purnell, deliberated overnight and delivered a verdict that stripped out the conspiracy, bribery and graft charges. More.....
02 Sep 2018	HMAS Toowoomba returns from seven-month deployment HMAS Toowoomba has returned to its homeport of Fleet Base West, Rockingham, Western Australia, after the ship’s longest deployment to date, successfully contributing to seven Task Groups in seven months. Commanding Officer, Commander Mitchell Livingstone, said Toowoomba achieved many milestones since February, supporting an extensive series of exercises, international engagements and training activities. More.....
01 Sep 2018	Australia's Fleet Commander calls on counterparts to unite across the region Fleet Commanders and their representatives from 27 countries have held high-level discussions in Darwin aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in the maritime domain. Commander of the Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead hosted the Fleet Commanders' Conference at the iconic Parliament House building in the city. The gathering is part of KAKADU 18, the biannual joint exercise taking place both ashore and at sea off the Northern Territory coast. More.....
01 Sep 2018	Remembering HMAS Armidale Association - Invites you to the HMAS Armidale 80th Memorial 1st December 2022 Armidale NSW Calling all relatives and/or friends of the HMAS Armidale. We want to gather together in four years time to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the sinking. Full details.....
01 Sep 2018	FlyBy A periodical of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia. September issue.....
01 Sep 2018	Royal Historical Society Victoria - Fifty Year Reflections on 1968 Conference September 14th and 16th As 2018 marks the half-centenary of the most tumultuous year of the Vietnam War, when much of the world seemed on the verge of revolution, it is an appropriate time to revisit some of the major themes of the debates that divided Australian politics and society. Bookings essential. Full details.....
01 Sep 2018	2018 Goldrick Seminar Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise: Its Contribution to Navy Strategy 17 September 2018 Adams Auditorium, ADFA, Northcott Dve., Campbell. Full details.....
01 Sep 2018	Canberra Naval Engineering Reunion 2018 Friday 09 November 2018 Tuggeranong Valley Rugby Union & Amateur Sports Club Full details.....

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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.....

News & Articles of Interest

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DVA
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