Vetaffairs / Department of Veterans' Affairs, [1984]-

Call Number
Nef 362.86840994 VET
Created/Published
[Canberra] : [Dept. of Veterans' Affairs]
Issue
Vol. 30 No. 3 Spring (September - November 2014)
Images
16
View Catalogue

Contents

VETAFFAIRS 1
PMAC meets to discuss veteran mental health 1
New initiative links injured vets to employment 1
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dying with dignity 2
HMS Formidable 2
Anzacs 2
Expanded paper – good news 2
Noticeboard success 2
DVA's central mailbox 2
A change for the Summer issue of Vetaffairs 2
News from the Department 2
Upcoming commemorative missions 3
Cutting red tape for claims 3
News from the Minister 3
The importance of Qualifying Service 4
Pensions and allowances rise 4
New pension rates from 20 September 2014 4
Changes to the assessment of superannuation account-based income streams for income support payment recipients 4
ANZAC CENTENARY 2014 THE SPIRIT LIVES 2014-2018 The Landing at Rabaul 5
100 years since the start of the First World War 5
Anzac Centenary Public Fund 5
Upcoming events – October to December 5
Albany Convoy Commemorative Event – planning well underway 5
Commemorative events 5
What to expect at Albany 5
Opening of the Musée de la Bataille de Fromelles 6
Gallipoli 2015 update 6
More double passes for Gallipoli 2015 6
ACT and WA schools take out Anzac Day Schools' Awards 6
Remembering on Vietnam Veterans' Day 7
DVA's online services continue to grow 7
Changing income and assets 7
What are some of the other things that can be done through My Account? 7
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service joins Generation Facebook 7
Long Tan Bursary now open for applications 7
Health care and friends 8
Winning Gold for Australia 8
Improving your mental health – DVA, your Doctor and you 8
The DVA Health Card – For Pharmaceuticals Only (Orange Card) 8
Annual Monetary Limit on dental treatment 8
WIDOWS’ NEWS War widow commended for brave conduct 9
Widows commemorate First World War 9
Anne Bonner 1941-2014 9
Wellbeing Research Programme Update 10
Data Study of F-111 maintenance workers underway 10
New ADF Post-discharge GP Health Assessment 10
Introducing Dr Stephanie Hodson, CSC 10
Changes to Middle East Area of Operations service classification 10
News from the Rehabilitation Appliances Program 11
VETERANS’ HEALTH WEEK 11
NEW WEBSITE TO HELP AUSTRALIANS WITH HEARING LOSS 11
Planning for your medical care 11
The Red Cross – 100 years of helping 11
Eligible veterans to receive the Legion of Honour 12
A pipe rack tells an Aussie's D-Day story 12
Rehabilitation success 12
Jason Brown – from active service to civilian life 12
MEDALS FOUND 13
Advertising 13
Protecting your home – a small investment 14
Did you know? 14
NEWS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL 14
Preston honours those who served 14
Reunion notices 15
Off the shelf 15
Advertising 16

Text

VETAFFAIRS  

Page  

Page  

Page 14  

Vol. 30 No.  

Spring 2014  

ISSN 0819-8934  

PMAC meets to discuss veteran mental health  

The Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Veter-  

ans’ Mental Health (PMAC) met for the first time on  

24 and 25 July 2014. Announced on 13 March 2014 by  

the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon.  

Michael Ronaldson, PMAC is chaired by Vice Admiral  

Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN (Ret’d), who is supported  

by Deputy Chair, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG,  

and eight members.  

Tackling the mental health challenges faced by veter-  

ans and their families is key pillar of the Government’s  

plan for veterans’ affairs. While mental illness will  

impact almost half the Australian population over their  

lifetime, there are particular risks for former serving  

men and women who may have been put in harm’s way  

in the course of their service.  

“The new PMAC has the Prime Minister’s unequivo-  

cal support in ensuring the Government can provide the  

very best support to veterans and their families facing  

the challenges of service-related mental illness,” Senator  

Ronaldson said earlier this year.  

The Prime Minister and Senator Ronaldson both met  

with the Council on the first day of its meeting.  

“It is very encouraging to see that the Council has the  

full support of the Prime Minister, the Minister and  

the Secretary in undertaking this important role,” Vice  

Admiral Crane said.  

The inaugural meeting provided PMAC with an over-  

view of issues relating to veterans’ mental health and  

included briefings on mental and social health, DVA’s  

service delivery processes and legislation, treatment and  

management of mental health conditions, and mental  

health resources for veterans and their families.  

On the second day of the meeting, the Council spent  

time developing strategic framework for future work.  

“The key areas of activity we discussed included  

peer support, family support, vocational rehabilitation,  

engagement with corporate Australia, partnerships with  

not-for-profit organisations, strategic communica-  

tion plan, and strategic partnership between DVA and  

Defence,” Vice Admiral Crane said.  

PMAC identified the following three areas of priority:  

• national communication strategy to promote  

positive view of service and its contribution, and to  

PMAC meeting in July 2014. Back row (L-R): Ryan Stokes; Geoffrey Evans; Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG; Air  

Commodore Tracy Smart AM; and Michael von Berg MC. Front row (L-R): Veronica Hancock, Assistant Secretary DVA;  

Judy Daniel, First Assistant Secretary DVA; Vice Admiral Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN (Retd); Major General Mark Kelly  

AO, DSC; and Mel Pyrah.  

increase awareness of the available mental health  

services and the benefits of early intervention. The  

strategy would target wide range of audiences  

including serving and former serving members, fam-  

ilies, the community and industry. It would be aimed  

at reducing the stigma associated with mental illness  

and would aim to break down barriers to seeking  

assistance.  

Peer support, which allows individuals to be suitably  

matched with peers to receive practical support in  

managing their mental health and wellbeing, leading  

to improved quality of life. The Council is interested  

in auspicing peer support forum to bring together  

relevant stakeholders to share information on  

peer support programmes and canvass ideas about  

expanding peer support in the veteran and ex-serv-  

ing community.  

• Vocational rehabilitation and transition man-  

agement. The Council will look at ways in which  

industry can be engaged to provide greater employ-  

ment opportunities for former members undertaking  

vocational rehabilitation. The Council will also  

examine how the transition process from Defence to  

DVA can be improved.  

The Council meets again on 25 November 2014. To learn  

more, visit the Council’s website www.pmac.dva.gov.au  

New initiative links injured vets to employment  

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, recently  

launched new initiative that will help wounded, injured or ill veterans achieve their  

employment goals.  

Senator Ronaldson said the Veterans Employment Assistance Initiative will  

broaden the employment assistance and support for former members and employ-  

ers currently provided under DVA’s rehabilitation program.  

“The importance of providing rehabilitation services and support to veterans who  

have been wounded, injured or are ill as result of their service should never be  

underestimated.  

“This initiative will help veterans to improve their wellbeing, reclaim independ-  

ence, utilise their skills and capabilities, and secure meaningful employment,”  

he said.  

Under the initiative, veterans with an identified goal of returning to work will  

undergo early assessment of their vocational rehabilitation needs. This will include  

aligning the skills they have developed in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to  

potential civilian employment opportunities. Participants may also undertake  

employment focused training in line with their abilities and aspirations.  

On recent visit to Brisbane, Senator Ronaldson met with Terry Thompson,  

veteran who was injured during his service in the Australian Army. Terry was  

discharged in 2012 and participated in DVA rehabilitation program as part of his  

recovery.  

Terry worked closely with his rehabilitation provider and undertook 12-week  

work trial with Downer EDI Works. Terry excelled in his placement and was  

subsequently offered permanent employment with the organisation.  

The Minister also presented Downer EDI Works with certificate of appreciation,  

recognising their role in Terry’s rehabilitation.  

“Former ADF members have an extensive range of skills and experiences that  

would be valuable to any organisation and it is encouraging to see employers, such  

as Downer EDI Works recognising this,” he said.  

This new initiative broadens the assistance and support available to former ADF  

members offered through DVA, including range of vocational and non-vocational  

rehabilitation programs that help veterans adapt to, or recover from, their injuries.  

The initiative is being undertaken as trial in Queensland involving up to 50  

participants and will help inform national approach. For more information on  

rehabilitation visit www.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation  

PAGE  

NEW PENSION RATES  

PAGE  

WCS JOINS TECH SPACE  

PAGE 10  

CHANGES TO SERVICE  

'CLASSIFICATION  

Interested in also receiving the DVA e-News fortnightly  

newsletter? Email enews@dva.gov.au to be added to the list.  

Cite

Citation options:
Work identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1168559475

APA citation

Australia. Department of Veterans' Affairs. (). Vetaffairs / Department of Veterans' Affairs, Retrieved June 2, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1168559475

MLA citation

Australia. Department of Veterans' Affairs. Vetaffairs / Department of Veterans' Affairs, [Canberra]: [Dept. of Veterans' Affairs], . Web. 2 June 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1168559475>

Harvard/Australian citation

Australia. Department of Veterans' Affairs. , Vetaffairs / Department of Veterans' Affairs, [Dept. of Veterans' Affairs], [Canberra] viewed 2 June 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1168559475

Wikipedia citation

{{Citation
  | author1=Australia. Department of Veterans' Affairs.
  | title=Vetaffairs / Department of Veterans' Affairs
  | year=
  | section=v. : ill. ; 35-40 cm.
  | issn=0819-8934
  | issue=Vol. 30 No. 3 Spring (September - November 2014)
  | location=[Canberra]
  | publisher=[Dept. of Veterans' Affairs]
  | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1168559475
  | id=nla.obj-1168559475
  | access-date=2 June 2025
  | via=Trove
}}

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