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VETAFFAIRS
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Fix this textVol. 30 No. 3
Fix this textSpring 2014
Fix this textISSN 0819-8934
Fix this textPMAC meets to discuss veteran mental health
Fix this textThe Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Veter-
Fix this textans’ Mental Health (PMAC) met for the first time on
Fix this text24 and 25 July 2014. Announced on 13 March 2014 by
Fix this textthe Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon.
Fix this textMichael Ronaldson, PMAC is chaired by Vice Admiral
Fix this textRuss Crane AO, CSM, RAN (Ret’d), who is supported
Fix this textby Deputy Chair, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG,
Fix this textand eight members.
Fix this textTackling the mental health challenges faced by veter-
Fix this textans and their families is a key pillar of the Government’s
Fix this textplan for veterans’ affairs. While mental illness will
Fix this textimpact almost half the Australian population over their
Fix this textlifetime, there are particular risks for former serving
Fix this textmen and women who may have been put in harm’s way
Fix this textin the course of their service.
Fix this text“The new PMAC has the Prime Minister’s unequivo-
Fix this textcal support in ensuring the Government can provide the
Fix this textvery best support to veterans and their families facing
Fix this textthe challenges of service-related mental illness,” Senator
Fix this textRonaldson said earlier this year.
Fix this textThe Prime Minister and Senator Ronaldson both met
Fix this textwith the Council on the first day of its meeting.
Fix this text“It is very encouraging to see that the Council has the
Fix this textfull support of the Prime Minister, the Minister and
Fix this textthe Secretary in undertaking this important role,” Vice
Fix this textAdmiral Crane said.
Fix this textThe inaugural meeting provided PMAC with an over-
Fix this textview of issues relating to veterans’ mental health and
Fix this textincluded briefings on mental and social health, DVA’s
Fix this textservice delivery processes and legislation, treatment and
Fix this textmanagement of mental health conditions, and mental
Fix this texthealth resources for veterans and their families.
Fix this textOn the second day of the meeting, the Council spent
Fix this texttime developing a strategic framework for future work.
Fix this text“The key areas of activity we discussed included
Fix this textpeer support, family support, vocational rehabilitation,
Fix this textengagement with corporate Australia, partnerships with
Fix this textnot-for-profit organisations, a strategic communica-
Fix this texttion plan, and strategic partnership between DVA and
Fix this textDefence,” Vice Admiral Crane said.
Fix this textPMAC identified the following three areas of priority:
Fix this text• A national communication strategy to promote a
Fix this textpositive view of service and its contribution, and to
Fix this textPMAC meeting in July 2014. Back row (L-R): Ryan Stokes; Geoffrey Evans; Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG; Air
Fix this textCommodore Tracy Smart AM; and Michael von Berg MC. Front row (L-R): Veronica Hancock, Assistant Secretary DVA;
Fix this textJudy Daniel, First Assistant Secretary DVA; Vice Admiral Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN (Retd); Major General Mark Kelly
Fix this textAO, DSC; and Mel Pyrah.
Fix this textincrease awareness of the available mental health
Fix this textservices and the benefits of early intervention. The
Fix this textstrategy would target a wide range of audiences
Fix this textincluding serving and former serving members, fam-
Fix this textilies, the community and industry. It would be aimed
Fix this textat reducing the stigma associated with mental illness
Fix this textand would aim to break down barriers to seeking
Fix this textassistance.
Fix this textPeer support, which allows individuals to be suitably
Fix this textmatched with peers to receive practical support in
Fix this textmanaging their mental health and wellbeing, leading
Fix this textto improved quality of life. The Council is interested
Fix this textin auspicing a peer support forum to bring together
Fix this textrelevant stakeholders to share information on
Fix this textpeer support programmes and canvass ideas about
Fix this textexpanding peer support in the veteran and ex-serv-
Fix this texting community.
Fix this text• Vocational rehabilitation and transition man-
Fix this textagement. The Council will look at ways in which
Fix this textindustry can be engaged to provide greater employ-
Fix this textment opportunities for former members undertaking
Fix this textvocational rehabilitation. The Council will also
Fix this textexamine how the transition process from Defence to
Fix this textDVA can be improved.
Fix this textThe Council meets again on 25 November 2014. To learn
Fix this textmore, visit the Council’s website www.pmac.dva.gov.au
Fix this textNew initiative links injured vets to employment
Fix this textThe Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, recently
Fix this textlaunched a new initiative that will help wounded, injured or ill veterans achieve their
Fix this textemployment goals.
Fix this textSenator Ronaldson said the Veterans Employment Assistance Initiative will
Fix this textbroaden the employment assistance and support for former members and employ-
Fix this texters currently provided under DVA’s rehabilitation program.
Fix this text“The importance of providing rehabilitation services and support to veterans who
Fix this texthave been wounded, injured or are ill as a result of their service should never be
Fix this textunderestimated.
Fix this text“This initiative will help veterans to improve their wellbeing, reclaim independ-
Fix this textence, utilise their skills and capabilities, and secure meaningful employment,”
Fix this texthe said.
Fix this textUnder the initiative, veterans with an identified goal of returning to work will
Fix this textundergo early assessment of their vocational rehabilitation needs. This will include
Fix this textaligning the skills they have developed in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to
Fix this textpotential civilian employment opportunities. Participants may also undertake
Fix this textemployment focused training in line with their abilities and aspirations.
Fix this textOn a recent visit to Brisbane, Senator Ronaldson met with Terry Thompson, a
Fix this textveteran who was injured during his service in the Australian Army. Terry was
Fix this textdischarged in 2012 and participated in a DVA rehabilitation program as part of his
Fix this textrecovery.
Fix this textTerry worked closely with his rehabilitation provider and undertook a 12-week
Fix this textwork trial with Downer EDI Works. Terry excelled in his placement and was
Fix this textsubsequently offered permanent employment with the organisation.
Fix this textThe Minister also presented Downer EDI Works with a certificate of appreciation,
Fix this textrecognising their role in Terry’s rehabilitation.
Fix this text“Former ADF members have an extensive range of skills and experiences that
Fix this textwould be valuable to any organisation and it is encouraging to see employers, such
Fix this textas Downer EDI Works recognising this,” he said.
Fix this textThis new initiative broadens the assistance and support available to former ADF
Fix this textmembers offered through DVA, including a range of vocational and non-vocational
Fix this textrehabilitation programs that help veterans adapt to, or recover from, their injuries.
Fix this textThe initiative is being undertaken as a trial in Queensland involving up to 50
Fix this textparticipants and will help inform a national approach. For more information on
Fix this textrehabilitation visit www.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation
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Fix this textNEW PENSION RATES
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Fix this textWCS JOINS TECH SPACE
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Fix this textCHANGES TO SERVICE
Fix this text'CLASSIFICATION
Fix this textInterested in also receiving the DVA e-News fortnightly
Fix this textnewsletter? Email enews@dva.gov.au to be added to the list.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1168559475
Australia. Department of Veterans' Affairs. (). Vetaffairs / Department of Veterans' Affairs, Retrieved June 2, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1168559475
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>
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
{{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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