Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs | Government organisation

Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs

Phone: +61 1800 838 372

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25.01.2022 After 18 years in the Army as an Aeronautical Engineer, Heath Smith decided to transition to the civilian life. Discharging at the height of his Army career, with specialist skills and training under his belt, he was ready for the next challenge as a civilian. But what he didn’t expect was how challenging the transition would be, and the opportunities that would arise. It took significant effort and reflection to adapt the way I did things to suit my new environment after wo...rking and living for 18 years in the unique ADF environment, he said. The biggest challenge has been replacing the sense of purpose that ADF service naturally provides. I had to work and reflect hard on what it was that would provide that sense of personal and professional satisfaction for me. While finding his passion in civilian life was challenging, Heath is now a successful business owner and consultant, and says he uses the core skills gained in the army every day in his role. As ADF members we often don’t realise the value and rarity of the foundational skills and experiences we develop in areas such as complex problem solving, teamwork, communication, operational design, resource management and leadership. The foundational skills I developed in the ADF are a really solid platform from which to tailor an approach that suits the unique characteristics of each problem. It’s about striking the balance between drawing on previous experiences, learning new skills and tailoring the best approach to each unique challenge. Heath’s best piece of advice for those transitioning to the civilian life is to speak with others who have transitioned to hear about their experiences, and lean on your support network. Ask for help. I haven’t met a veteran yet who isn’t interested in helping others succeed. You probably have more friends willing to help than you realise. In addition to your own network of friends and supporters, there are the organised veteran support organisations such as DVA, Veterans Employment and Soldier On - all of which are full of fantastic people who can help you succeed. #OurVeterans #TYFYS

22.01.2022 Each month in our 2021 calendar features a lesser-known military role to commemorate the thousands of service men and women who have worked in lesser known musterings, and their vital contributions to operations. This month, we’re highlighting balloonists. Hot air balloons are one of the earliest forms of aviation. They were first used for surveillance during the French Revolution (1789-99), and later in the American Civil War (1861-65) and the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71).... The British also used them during the Second Boer War in South Africa (1899-1902). These tethered observation balloons came into their own during the First World War. They were used for observing enemy troop positions and movements as well as for directing artillery fire. Spotters standing in a balloon’s wicker basket would be linked to the ground by telephone and could then direct and adjust the artillery’s range. These balloons were generally oblong or sausage shaped and were susceptible to air attack from enemy fighters. The danger to the balloonist of being shot was compounded by the balloons being filled with highly flammable hydrogen which could catch fire and send the balloon plummeting to the ground. Balloons were also used at sea, towed by ships, to spot submarines as a means of protecting convoys. During the Dardanelles campaign, the Admiralty converted the tramp steamer HMS Manica into a specialised balloon ship. The ship was present for most of the land and naval operations at Gallipoli until mid-August 1915. The ship was irreverently known as 'HMS Maniac' and 'home of the balloonatics' Today, the Royal Australian Air Force has three hot air balloons, based in Canberra. Operated by the Central Flying School, the balloons often travel to regional or remote communities that don't have an airport. These visits allow members of the community to meet Air Force personnel, and learn about the science of hot air balloons. As hot air balloons can be launched from small open spaces, such as school ovals, they are regularly used to visit schools around Australia for aviation-related education programs.

22.01.2022 If you have been receiving support through our Education Schemes, make sure to submit your application for the year ahead! Remember support is available throughout the year. Eligible children and dependants of veterans can receive a range of support through the Education Schemes while they are in primary, secondary and post-secondary studies (this includes an Australian Apprenticeship, Traineeship or cadetship). Find out more by visiting dva.gov.au//support-/get-student-support/education-schemes

22.01.2022 With #valentinesday coming up, our minds are turning to love. During wartime, emotions can become more intense, and people are thrown into extraordinary situations. Explore the personal stories of parents, children, partners and friends - Australians who loved, and were loved, during wartime in . Visit: https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/resources/forever-yours.

21.01.2022 The Veteran Health Check is specifically designed for veterans to help you optimise your health and wellbeing. If you have left the ADF from 1 July 2019, you are eligible for a fully-funded GP visit each year for the first five years after transition. Visit https://bit.ly/VeteransHealthCheck to learn more.

20.01.2022 On 22 November 75 years ago, Mrs Jessie Vasey held the first formal meeting of the War Widows’ Guild, now known simply as Australian War Widows. Dedicated to supporting Australia’s war widows, they have grown since that first meeting in Melbourne’s Assembly Hall, and in 2020 they support than 50,000 widows across the country. Formed to support the 10,000 war widows from the Second World War, today the Guild continues to serve Australian war widows from all wars and conflicts,... providing financial and health support and companionship through lived experience. Earlier this year, Billie Hughes, a former National and State President of the Guild, was featured in our 75 Days, 75 Stories series, where she spoke about the formation of the organisation. You can listen here: https://www.dva.gov.au/new/75-days-75-stories/billie-hughes Thank you to the Guild for 75 years of supporting Australia’s war widows.

20.01.2022 Veterans and their families will be better supported with a new income support system, Process Direct. Launched over the weekend, Process Direct will become the primary system our income support staff will use to access client information and claims to support veterans. As part of the Process Direct launch, new functionality has been added to our online service portal, MyService. Using MyService, veterans can now submit claims for Service Pensions and Veteran Payment, request... a lump sum advance, and advise DVA of any change in circumstances related to their income support payment. Our systems will be continually improved and new functionality added to enable more efficient services for veterans and their families. Read more dva.gov.au///new-system-streamline-income-support-services

20.01.2022 Are you a veteran who has transitioned to the treatment cycle arrangements? Have your say on current arrangements as part of QUT’s evaluation. In October last year we introduced treatment cycle arrangements for referrals from GPs to allied health providers. This survey is an important part of better understanding the needs and experiences of veterans and health professionals.... You can complete the confidential 10 minute survey here - https://survey.qut.edu.au/f/195211/2ad4/ If you know other veterans who have transitioned to the treatment cycle arrangements, share this link with them too! For more information, visit www.qut-dva-treatmentcycles-evaluation.com #TreatmentCycle

20.01.2022 Treatment cycle arrangements are being evaluated by QUT (Queensland University of Technology) and they are now seeking stakeholder feedback from ex-service organisations, other veteran groups, and associations representing GPs and allied health providers. To get involved in the evaluation process, all you have to do is answer 6 simple questions here: https://survey.qut.edu.au/f/195250/10f7/ Your participation is important to ensure services continue to meet the current needs ...of the veteran community. For more information, visit: www.qut-dva-treatmentcycles-evaluation.com

18.01.2022 Nine numbers. One purpose you. Reach out anytime.

17.01.2022 The design and colour of the DVA Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is changing. The redesigned card will carry the DVA logo and will be printed in yellow and red, and should be recognisable to service providers. All benefits and entitlements will remain unchanged for cardholders. Cardholders should expect to receive their new card soon. If you have not received your card by January 2021, please call us on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

16.01.2022 Happy Birthday to Sergeant Bert Le-Merton who turned 102 last week. Sergeant Bert set out to complete the Soldier On Australia March On challenge in August with the hopes of raising $10,000 for the organisation while walking 96km (the length of the Kokoda Track). On his 102nd birthday, he has raised over $102,000 and has walked over 100km. Congratulations to Bert for his amazing achievements

15.01.2022 After 4 years in the Royal Australian Air Force as a Communications Information Systems Controller, Gus Campbell transitioned to civilian life to be closer to his family, especially his quickly growing baby son, when I left for my first deployment, my eldest son was just a baby. When I returned he was walking and talking. Later deployments that followed meant I wasn’t around much until he was about three and a half years old. The transition journey is unique for each person..., Gus’ journey was difficult in the beginning, but made smoother thanks to valuable advice from previously transitioned Defence personnel, I was fortunate that my first few roles in civilian life was with the assistance of ex-ADF people who had walked the path before me. They really looked after me and gave me valuable advice on what the change would look like. He notes his biggest challenge during his transition was missing the camaraderie, you can go years without seeing someone you knew in uniform and when you see them again it was like it was yesterday. Gus’ technical knowledge and skills in IT were easily transferrable, however he emphasises, My experiences in the ADF has given me perspective which in the Defence Industry, I have found to be really valuable. The ‘language of Defence’ I think has helped me build positive rapport with customers and the collaboration and stress management skills have served me well in civilian life. Gus is now a successful manager at BAE Systems Australia where he continues working with and for the Defence Industry. Gus encourages anyone transitioning to, hang in there, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Identifying people who have been there before and gaining an understanding of what it’s like is what kept me going when I had doubts. It’s not easy and there is nothing wrong with questioning the plan then changing the plan. If I have learnt anything from Defence, it is that plans change and you have to adapt. #OurVeterans #TYFYS

14.01.2022 Applications for the 2020-21 round of the Veteran and Community Grants (V&CG) program are now open. ESOs and community organisations working in partnership with ESOs can apply for funding for projects that improve the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families. This year, applications for practical projects and activities that support safe, accessible environments for veterans and their families to enable social connection and positive engagement to improve wellbein...g are being encouraged. Eligible organisations can apply for small grants of up to $20,000 or large grants of up to $150,000. Grant applications close 29 January 2021. For information about how to apply, see the Community Grants Hub website: www.communitygrants.gov.au

11.01.2022 Further economic support payments are being provided to support around 5 million Australians through the coronavirus pandemic. The third payment of $250 is being made in December and will automatically appear in the nominated bank accounts of eligible recipients. A fourth payment will be made in March next year. To be eligible for the third payment, veterans, their dependants or families must have been residing in Australia and receiving at least one of the following payments... or cards on 27 November 2020: - Service Pension, Partner Service Pension, Income Support Supplement or Veteran Payment - Disability Pension (separate to the $6.20 fortnightly payment) - Special Rate Disability Pension - Permanent Impairment compensation (including lump sum payments taken in the past) - War Widow(er)’s Pension or Wholly Dependent Partner payment - Gold Cards, Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards and Pensioner Concession Cards - Age Pension paid by DVA Those who received the Coronavirus Supplement will not receive an economic support payment. For more information, visit dva.gov.au/esp

09.01.2022 The 2020-21 funding round of the Supporting Younger Veterans Grants Program is now open! The $1 million program aims to help improve community services for younger veterans, expand capacity for future services and support programs, and raise awareness of the issues younger veterans face. Ex-service organisations and community organisation partners are invited to apply for grants of up to $50,000 for local, community-based projects and activities. A small number of large grant...s of up to $150,000 are available for projects that deliver wellbeing support services and activities of broad scale benefit to the younger veteran community. Applications close 5 February 2021. Read more here dva.gov.au//apply-now-community-grants-support-younger-vet For more information or to submit an application, visit www.communitygrants.gov.au, call 1800 020 283 or email [email protected]. To register to be notified when future grants open, visit www.communitygrants.gov.au.

09.01.2022 Tick-tock we’re watching the clock! Entries for the 2021 Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards close tomorrow at 5pm AEDT. Complete your nomination and hit submit now: https://www.veteransemployment.gov.au/prime-minister/awards. ... #PMVeteransAwards #VeteransEmployment

06.01.2022 Entries for the 2021 Anzac Day Schools’ Awards are now open, with this year’s topic What does commemoration look like in your community? The awards are a great way to help your students learn about Australia’s wartime experiences and connect with their local veteran community. Individual students, classrooms or whole schools interested in Australia’s wartime history are encouraged to apply and could win up to $5,000 in prizes!... Entries close 30 June 2021. To learn more, please visit: https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au//c/anzac-day-schools-awards

02.01.2022 STOP THE PRESS: Today is the final day to submit a nomination for the 2021 Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards. Now is your last chance to have your organisation recognised for employing and supporting the veteran community. Entries close at 5pm AEDT today. Submit your entries now: https://www.veteransemployment.gov.au/prime-minister/awards. ... #PMVeteransAwards #VeteransEmployment

02.01.2022 Don’t forget, if you are a veteran or family member living in Tasmania now is your chance to have your say on potential wellbeing support services for the veteran community in Tasmania! Consultations close 5 December. Have your say: https://www.utas.edu.au//projec/projects/feasibility-study