Veterans' Advocacy Community of Practice in Lowood, Queensland | Community organisation

Veterans' Advocacy Community of Practice

Locality: Lowood, Queensland

Phone: +61 7 5427 8611

Address: 2819 Forest Hill-Fernvale Road 4311 Lowood, QLD, Australia

Website: https://veterans-advocacy-community-of-practice-brisbane-west.webnode.com

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• Non-profit organisation
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23.01.2022 Bravery Trust has supported a number of our veteran clients during rough times when they have needed urgent financial support. https://www.facebook.com/BraveryTrust/

23.01.2022 Our volunteers recognise that the unique nature of ADF service provides that veterans experience mental health, welfare and physical challenges above those of the general community. Research indicates that there is a direct nexus between suicide rates and the military compensation claims process. The 2010 ADF Mental Health Prevalence and Wellbeing Study concluded that suicide ideation was more than double that in the general community. The Australian Institute of Health an...d Welfare study into veteran suicide determined that the rate of death by suicide in male veterans under 30 years of age is 2.2 times higher than that of their peer group in the general population. If you are struggling with submitting your own military compensation claims contact our office Monday or Thursday (between 9am to 1pm) to make an appointment with one of our advocates. Our services are free of charge.

23.01.2022 Interstate or remotely located and having difficulty finding a Registered military compensation advocate? Our team of qualified advocates can still represent you and submit claims to the Department of Veterans' Affairs on your behalf. We have a variety of IT capabilities to assist in this process. Importantly, all our services are provided free of charge.

22.01.2022 A wonderful story from a proud family. Thank you for your service.

21.01.2022 OUR ADVOCATES are ceasing ALL face to face consultations. Contact your advocate via phone or email to arrange web based conferencing. All new appointments will be organised through our admin for video conferencing.OUR ADVOCATES are ceasing ALL face to face consultations. Contact your advocate via phone or email to arrange web based conferencing. All new appointments will be organised through our admin for video conferencing.

20.01.2022 There has been significant activity at Melbournes Shrine of Remembrance today as we installed A Nation Weeps in the visitors centre to mark the Centenary of ...the first Armistice Day in 1919. A huge thank you to the wonderful volunteers who came to help, and also the team at the Shrine who pitched in to make it a very easy install. It is a beautiful, poignant and visually stunning collection of your gorgeous handmade with love poppies. In place until February 2020. LEST WE FORGET. See more

20.01.2022 Veterans please be aware of a military compensation advocate operating within the Laidley to Ipswich area, who is operating outside of her scope of accreditation. We have recieved complaints regarding this and feel it is necessary to protect our local veterans. Gillian Lindsay IS NOT qualified to be giving advice on VRB matters. To find a qualified registered advocate in your area please use the link from the ATDP website below. You should also ask to see your prospective advocate's qualifications and ESO endorsement if in doubt. Correctly authorised practitioners from ESOs are covered through VITA indemnity insurance ONLY if the practitioner is acting within the scope of their level of accredition. https://www.advocateregister.org.au

19.01.2022 Hearing loss is one of the health conditions that veterans make claims to DVA for each year through our Community of Practice. We have found that some veterans are pressured by some providers into buying more expensive hearing devices than they need. This means that the Veteran then has to contribute to the cost of the devices, which may have extra but non-essential features. Veterans, please be aware of all your options so that you can make a fully-informed decision when buying a hearing device. Veterans can access over 160 high-quality devices at no cost as well as assistive listening devices through DVAs Rehabilitation Appliances Programme at no cost.This includes wireless microphones(e.g. Roger Pens), radio frequency devices and television headsets.

19.01.2022 The veteran centres may be closed by our advocates are busy working remotely all over Australia. Here are some of us at our fortnightly meeting today. We might look like the Brady Bunch on screen but we saw over 40 veterans last month and continued with our VRBs and AAT preparations. Most importantly our mentoring teams are working exceptionally well online.

16.01.2022 Advice for Veterans submitting their own claims through My Service: We have been receiving an increased number of inquiries regarding rejected claims that veterans have submitted themselves via My Service. It is important to remember that just because a Statement of Principle (SoP) sets out what factors could cause a medical condition that is the subject of a claim, in order for a claim to succeed at least one of the SoP factors MUST BE RELATED TO YOUR SERVICE. If you are unsure of anything, please contact a Registered Military Compensation Advocate BEFORE submitting your own claims.

16.01.2022 For urgent inquiries please contact us via messenger.

15.01.2022 Victims of serious violence and sexual abuse in the Army, Navy or RAAF have until 30 June 2021 to lodge a claim for reparation with the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

14.01.2022 There is a lack of locational military compensation advocacy services in the Northern Territory. Did you know we have an ATDP qualified Level 2 military compensation advocate in Darwin? Our Darwin advocate is also a current serving member of the ADF who is committed to providing confidential support in helping serving and ex-serving personnel gain their rightful entitlements through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Photo credit: Defence Image Library Darwin-based Australian Army soldiers and officers on-board a RAAF C-130J Hercules aircraft prior to deploying to Victoria in support of Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20.

14.01.2022 For those with young children this book helps children to make sense of their father's or mother's defence caused PTSD in an age appropriate manner. https://www.booktopia.com.au/why-is-da//9780692420683.html

13.01.2022 This may be an opportunity for students starting Uni or Tafe

12.01.2022 Depending on your injury and the timing of your service, you as a veteran, can be compensated under the Veterans Entitlement Act (VEA), The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act (DRCA) and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (MRCA). Different levels of compensation also apply depending whether your injury occurred during war or war-like service. If you are wanting to submit a claim, we strongly encourage you to seek help and guidance from one of our accredited Military Compensation Advocates, who can act on your behalf. Importantly, this is a FREE service. Call 54278611 to make an appointment :)

11.01.2022 'Hey Brother' will be a discussion starter, so that the wider civilian community gain a better understanding of our veterans, as well as being a song of survival, mateship, hope and healing..." #HeyBrother

11.01.2022 At a recent seminar delivered by Animal Therapies Ltd, we were asked what the Department of Veteran Affairs position was on funding assistance dogs for eligible... veterans. DVA have stated they provide assistance dogs to eligible veterans as an adjunct to the treatment and management of posttraumatic stress. Assistance dogs are provided to eligible veterans under the RAP. DVA have also acknowledged there is a clear evidence base for the effectiveness of assistance dogs for people with sensory impairments such as hearing loss, loss of sight or mobility impairments. The provision of guide, mobility and hearing dogs through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) is limited to veterans who have a DVA Health card and have a medically assessed need for the dog due to a war-caused injury/accepted condition. Click on the link below to download a DVA fact sheet. https://www.dva.gov.au/health-and-wellbei//assistance-dogs

11.01.2022 For those that don't know, here is a great veteran initiative. The REAL VETERANS DISCOUNT BUSINESS REGISTRY https://www.facebook.com/groups/518199948910980/

10.01.2022 Announced as a grab on ABC news this morning, please share to increase the membership of this group, and lets support the businesses that are supporting this initiative.

10.01.2022 It is important not to fill out any claim forms before speaking with a military compensation advocate. - These services are provided free of charge by the volunteer advocates within our Community of Practice. - We pride ourselves in the delivery of advocacy services through our virtual and on-line digital platforms. - contact us through FB or email [email protected] to make an appointment

10.01.2022 We have assembled a great team of volunteer advocates and support officers. We now have advocates with specialised skills in defence discharges including medical discharges, as well as military superannuation including Comsuper and DFRDB. We are working towards securing an accredited mediator who will compliment our existing team of councillors. Together with our 3 year plan to commence a Veterans Community Legal Centre in addition to our qualified JPs our Community of Practice will definitely be a one stop shop for free advocacy and veteran support assistance.

09.01.2022 Stay informed - see an advocate before submitting claims

09.01.2022 Thank you to Bravery Trust, Lowood RSL Sub Branch and the Victorian RSL and all those who participated in the recognition of this WW1 veteran's sacrifice. https://www.dva.gov.au//veteran-s-sacrifice-finally-honour

08.01.2022 We would love to thank everyone who continues to support us in everything we do, and are happy to announce our first Coffee for a Cause program. The sales from ...of our food van and coffee shop has enabled us to fund a free Veteran Yoga program in collaboration with the Hearts & Minds Wellness centre, which is another Veteran owned business. In the coming week we will let everyone know more details and how to get involved, and also how we can help you through our new Coffee for a Cause program reach your groups goals. #supportingeachother See more

07.01.2022 Do you and your fellow veterans know about the Defence Ombudsman Reparation Payments for physical and sexual abuse in the ADF? Our post on Sexual and Physical Abuse reparation payments has received much attention. By way of further background - The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse confirmed abuse in Junior Recruit Training Establishments during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Namely, HMAS Leeuwin and the Army Apprentice School at Balcombe. T...he Defence Abuse Response Taskforce (DART) was established in 2012 as part of the governments response to the findings of the DLA Piper review. DART noted that 27% of complainants were children at the time of the alleged abuse. DART was unknown by many sectors of the veteran community. In fact, it appears to have had limited exposure and remained somewhat hidden. From 1 December 2016 DART handed its responsibilities over to the Commonwealth Ombudsman. IMPORTANT ---- The Ombudsman may recommend a payment in relation to a complaint of abuse if satisfied that the abuse is reasonably likely to have occurred, and occurred on or before 30 June 2014; and the complaint relates to the most serious forms of abuse or sexual assault. Claims must be submitted before 30 June 2021. https://www.ombudsman.gov.au//a/reporting-abuse-in-defence See more

06.01.2022 Lest we Forget At Heaven's gate a soldier stood, his story ready to tell, St Peter said, "no need my son all is understood, Go right in cos you've already served your time in Hell'

06.01.2022 As we spare a thought for our older veterans who may not necessarily have the family support to help ensure they don't need to leave their home for necessities in this time of fear and anxiety, we wish to thank the members of the Veterans Motorcycle Club who are putting together care packages for our most vulnerable veterans and delivering these to those in dire need. The Veterans Motorcycle Club are urgently seeking donations of either funds or necessities to deliver to local at risk veterans in our communities. Contact us via private message if you can help. Remember, the veteran community is at its strongest when brothers and sisters in arms come together to help their mates.

06.01.2022 Two of our volunteer advocates are undertaking their formal level 1 advocacy accreditation for the next 3 days! Thanks Jason and Tracey - well done and good luck.

05.01.2022 While the media tends to focus on bad news, its amazing how many good news stories are out there in the community. Everyday Australians doing positive and cons...tructive things in our region, and across the nation. Heres just one example... Australian Defence Force personnel deployed on Operation Accordion have received handmade quilts from the generous and talented members of the Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags) community. Aussie Hero Quilts is a group of dedicated individuals from all over the country who make quilts and laundry bags to send to serving members who are currently deployed overseas, as a simple way to say thank you for your service. They are self-funded and have been going since 2011. Even if sewing isnt your skill, there are ways you can help. Visit http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com/ to find out more. #lovegippsland #TYFYS

04.01.2022 Great article here. Thanks Jim Nicholls. And so the poor treatment of veterans continues . . .

04.01.2022 HMAS VOYAGER Quo Fata Vocant (We Go Where Destiny Calls) 10th February is the anniversary of the sinking of HMAS VOYAGER, with the loss of 82 crew. This was and still is the greatest peacetime disaster the RAN has ever suffered....Continue reading

02.01.2022 http://www.mygc.com.au/australian-businesses-say-thank-you/

02.01.2022 The Christmas season can be a particularly tough time for many. For veterans and their families the added pressure of work and/or family functions together with financial strain associated with gift giving can add pressure to those also struggling with a mental health condition. This can be quite common, and the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone and that there are people to support you. Open Arms Veterans and Families counselling is open 24/7 365 days a year.

01.01.2022 #VeteranFact The Australian Partners of Defence (APOD) platform which provides access to the business benefits component of the Veteran Card is free of charge... to all Veteran Card and DVA health card holders. Veterans and reservists can choose to apply for the Australian Defence Veterans Covenant. If you are interested in applying, sign-in to your MyService account and register. If you are not interested then you do not need to do anything. What do you need to do? Not a current DVA client? Register through MyService and apply for the Covenant; if you are eligible for a Veteran Card, lapel pin, and the oath, they will be sent to you. You will also be given the option of pre-registering with APOD. Alternatively, you can choose to register with APOD at a later date directly through apod.com.au using your Veteran Card details but you must apply through us first. Current DVA Client? You can continue to use your current DVA health card and can register direct through apod.com.au using your card details. Should you wish to apply for pin and oath, you will need to sign-in to your MyService account and register for the Covenant. A confirmation email will be sent to your selected email account detailing the Covenant items you have applied for, including a link to complete your APOD registration for free access to business benefits. For more information on the Australian Defence Veterans Covenant, visit: https://recognition.dva.gov.au/ To register for the Covenant (pin, oath and Veteran Card), visit: https://www.dva.gov.au/myservice/#/

01.01.2022 We have a veteran wanting to make contact with other veterans who have been exposed to PCBs and are suffering from adverse health effects as a result. If you would like to make contact please send us a private message.