Veterans ' Advocacy Centre in Alstonville, New South Wales | Community organisation

Veterans ' Advocacy Centre

Locality: Alstonville, New South Wales

Phone: +61 2 6628 3096

Address: Shop 34 Alstonville Plaza Robertson Street Alstonville 2477 2477 Alstonville, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.peacekeepers.asn.au

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25.01.2022 Say a big congratulations to the latest graduate from the Government’s Psychiatric Assistance Dog program, Xander. Xander is from SA and joins the program from ...the Royal Society for the Blind (RSB) where he’s been in training to help a veteran manage their PTSD. Xander has been paired with a young veteran, Shaun, and together they’ve completed their in depth training in a variety of environments. They’ve been working superbly together, and Xander’s relaxed and caring temperament is already providing reassurance and a positive influence. Dogs like Xander are changing lives and they are saving lives. For more information visit www.dva.gov.au/dogs

25.01.2022 With the release of the Inspector Generals Australian Defence Force (IGADF) Afghanistan Inquiry it is important to know that support services are available to t...hose affected by the Inquiry whether they are current or former serving Australian Defence Force personnel or their families. Assistance is a call away or check out resources at: https://www.dva.gov.au/igadf-afghanistan-inquiry-welfare-su

22.01.2022 https://vhc.org.au/dva-claims/

21.01.2022 As veterans, as friends, as family, we are immensely proud of the more than 26,000 Australian Defence Force men and women who served in Afghanistan with great h...onour since 2001. We are proud of all those that have worn the uniform of this great nation. We are humbled by men and women who carried out acts of great bravery, risking their own lives to make Afghanistan a better place. We salute those who put themselves in harms way to build and secure the essential infrastructure, the hospitals, roads, and schools that have allowed millions of Afghan men, women and children to gain education, healthcare and freedom. We especially remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice to make Afghanistan, and the world a better place. We thank all those who served honourably and did their duty. Those people should be and are proud of their service, and justifiably so. The Brereton report is going to be confronting reading. But we must confront it, whilst recognising the nuance and context that is critical to understanding it. It is important to remember that the allegations are not against the more than 26,000 who served in Afghanistan, but instead against a tiny minority amongst them. And that they are allegations at this stage. We believe in the legal principles that underpin the very fabric of Australian society; due process and a fair legal system must be applied. Overwhelmingly, those who served in Afghanistan did so with outstanding courage and distinction on behalf of Australia. We are proud of them, and condemn anything that may compromise or bring dishonour on that which is good, righteous and proper. Importantly, we should be aware that these allegations were reported by soldiers that believed what they witnessed was wrong. These soldiers demonstrated moral courage in reporting this many years ago. We are proud of them also. Australian soldiers standing up for what they believe is right is something we all should be proud of. If it is demonstrated that Army command failed to act on these allegations at the time, then those responsible need to be held accountable. The senior officers must be held accountable if in fact we have command failures. If you need help and support, or just a chat, Hawthorn RSL Sub Branch, along with countless other Sub Branches and support services around the country, are there for you. We are about to enter what may well be a dark time, but we shall do so united and together. Be proud if you served. Do not let the actions of a tiny minority take away from what you achieved in Afghanistan. Reach out if you need help. You all did remarkable things. (Photo credit: AWM)

21.01.2022 Standing proud at the War Memorial. To all Veterans - Thank you for your service. #assistance dog #second chance #veterans #ptsd #winwinwin

18.01.2022 Elder Aunty Joanne from the Taungurung Land & Waters Council has opened a yarning circle at Australian Army's Puckapunyal Military Area! The yarning circle is... a culturally appropriate place to meet and hold ceremonies, and also is the practice of speaking and listening from the heart. Aunty Joanne, who has been instrumental in providing support, guidance and advocacy to #AusArmy’s Indigenous soldiers, trainees and APS staff at Puckapunyal, said the yarning circle was invaluable for mentoring the cultural wellbeing of Army’s soldiers. I am pleased to have been able to work together with the cooperation and respect between the Puckapunyal Army people and the local Aboriginal networks over the past year, Aunty Joanne said. This has been reflected by the thoughtful siting and construction of this yarning circle. Read her story : http://bit.ly/Yarning

18.01.2022 In Memory Of Sarbi, (11 September 2002 - 27 March 2015) - Australia's most decorated war dog. Sarbi was decorated with three medals of honour... the War Dog Ope...rational Medal, the Canine Service Medal, and RSPCA Purple Cross. A dog park in Brisbane is named in her honour and a sculpture of her guards the grounds. Sarbi was an Australian special forces explosives detection dog that spent almost 14 months missing in action in Afghanistan having disappeared during an ambush on the 2nd of September 2008. Sarbi was later rediscovered by an American soldier, and was reunited with Australian forces pending repatriation to Australia. Sarbi's handler, Corporal David Simpson, who was one of nine Australian soldiers injured in the ambush, was said to have never given up hope of finding her, and was profoundly relieved at her recovery. Sarbi died as a result of a brain tumour on the 27th of March 2015. Lest We Forget. Info from Wikipedia... photo from Australian Army website.

15.01.2022 Leading Seaman Roger Dalby joined the Royal Australian Navy in July 1968 to experience life outside Alice Springs and to travel the world. Now 51 years later, ...he has retired from permanent service and is enjoying the transition to civilian life. At age 16, landlocked Alice Springs wasn’t where I wanted to be. I figured the Navy would feed, clothe, shelter and even pay me, Roger explained. I flew to Adelaide for my entry exam and on successful completion travelled by rail to start my adventure at HMAS Leeuwin as a junior recruit, he said. Over his career Roger served 37 years at sea on over a dozen ships, including patrol boats, amphibious vessels, destroyers, frigates and an aircraft carrier. Roger has been deployed to 14 operations and has been decorated for service in conflicts from Vietnam to the Middle East. His deployments were a mix of multinational, flag showing and humanitarian exercises. I loved my time in the Navy and will miss all the amazing experiences and people I worked with. I travelled as far as Hawaii in the east, South Korea in the north and the Mediterranean and Middle East in the west. Roger was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours List and in 2018 he was awarded his third Federation Star for 50 years’ service. In June 2019 Roger retired from his military service. Mine has been a gradual and smooth transition and I have been well supported by the Navy and ADF. They made sure I was medically fit and healthy before I transitioned. Roger encouraged other members to take advantage of the ADF Member and Family Transition seminars. You should look to attend a couple of seminars over your careerone earlier on and then again as part of your transition. They provide insight into what support and assistance is available to you. His advice to other ADF retirees is to keep fit and to stay in contact with as many friends as possible. Travelling for reunions and catch-ups is my favourite thing to do. Retirement is too precious, there is not a chance I’d waste mine by not enjoying it, he said. Thank you for your 50 plus years of service Roger. #OurVeterans #TYFYS

15.01.2022 Only a few hours to Rememberance Day 2020.To be honest to the Baird Family every day is Rememberance Day, not a day passes we don't think of Cam.The light at t...he end of that tunnel is no brighter than 7 years ago.We continue our life trying to look forward and be positive,it's still a tuff ride.In a few hours we will lay a wreath for the Fallen at the Currumbin RSL. Our thoughts then will also extend to all whose familys in our position. We thank all who have served, and those still serving and hope we can continue to live free and safe in this great country. " LEST WE FORGET" See more

14.01.2022 Anyone interested a car pooling is on offer

14.01.2022 A lovely tribute to Remembrance Day at the home of our Wellbeing advocate Liz with her dog Poppy. Poppy is wearing her AWM bandana remembering all animals that serve. Thank you Liz Lest we Forget

12.01.2022 Rest in Peace Sir Tom

08.01.2022 AVCAT - Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust manages a range of tertiary education scholarships and bursaries for the children and grandchildren of ve...terans, including the notable Long Tan Bursary. Sitanan Petcharawan was a recipient of the Long Tan Bursary in 2018. Her late uncle served as a signalman in the Vietnam War and suggested that she apply for a scholarship with AVCAT. ‘At that time, I had so many concerns about my future, and I was under a lot of stress. But after hearing the news from AVCAT I was chosen to be awarded a Long Tan Bursary I was relieved,’ said Sitanan. She says life offers plenty of opportunities, you just have to reach out and try to seize it. ‘I’m so thankful that I was chosen to be a part of this scholarship. It helps me so much with my finances. I can get textbooks and materials that I need for university.’ For more on Sitanan’s story, visit: https://avcat.org.au/sitanan-petcharawan/