Australian Government Department Of Veterans' Affairs

Today is International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. There are an estimated 370 million indigenous people in the world, living across 90 countries. They make up less than 5 per cent of the world's population, but speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a proud and distinguished history of service in Australia's armed forces, and we are proud to suppor...t these veterans. They have served in all conflicts from the Boer War right through to Iraq and Afghanistan.
At the time of the First World War (1914–18), more than 400 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are known to have enlisted from a population of around 80,000 Indigenous Australians, despite the formal legislative barriers to the service of non-Europeans.
Indigenous servicemen fought in integrated units alongside non-Indigenous Australian soldiers, and received the same pay. They endured the same hardships and terrors of the battlefield, supporting and supported by their non-Indigenous comrades. Their casualty rate of one in three mirrored the rate of the First Australian Imperial Force as a whole.
In the early months of the Second World War (1939–45), the Defence Committee recommended that for the Navy and Army the admission of Australians of non-European origin was ‘... neither necessary nor desirable ...’ unless demand for manpower became intense. With the direct threat to Australia following the entry of Japan into the war in 1941, the demand for recruits led to the largest period of enlistment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and a relaxation of Army attitudes.
So, on this day - we honour and salute the service and sacrifice of all those Indigenous men and women who have served Australia in uniform. Thank you for your service.
You can read more about Indigenous Service here. https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/resources/ indigenous-service
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are warned that photographs on this page may contain images of deceased persons which may cause sadness and distress.
#ThankYouForYourService #TYFYS #DeadlyDiggers #IndigenousPeoplesDay #IndigenousDay
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Meet Cobber - the newest member of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 team. 🐕

For live coverage of the Centenary of the Battle of Amiens tune in via the web at 10pm tonight: https://www.reuters.tv/live

LIVE NOW: Tune in to this talk about the Battle of Amiens, which occurred 100 years ago today.

100 years ago today Australian troops captured this 11-inch German artillery piece at the Battle of Amiens - the barrel of ‘the Amiens Gun’ is now on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
The offensive launched outside Amiens on 8 August 1918 was the first time all five Australian infantry divisions attacked together and it ushered in the final phase of the war, leading to the defeat of the German army and the signing of the armistice on 11 November 1918 that en...ded the fighting in the First World War.
9,000 Allied troops, including close to 2,000 Australians became casualties on 8 August 1918, and we remember their service and sacrifice.
Media release from Darren Chester MP: http://bit.ly/2vPhQLY
More info on the photo: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C127
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Do you live near Melbourne or Ballarat?
The Veterans’ Advocacy & Support Services Study is seeking your views on accessing DVA entitlements & services.
Share your experiences at a confidential meeting with the review team and help shape services for veterans and their families.
... The dates are: Melbourne Vic – 14 & 15 August Ballarat Vic – 20 & 21 August
For the full schedule, visit: bit.ly/VeteransAdvocacy
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A very interesting art project and discussion about veterans in the US.

Today marks the anniversary of the Battle of Lone Pine, a diversionary attack 103 years ago at Gallipoli and one of the most intense battles in our ANZAC history.
The four-day battle resulted in more than 2,000 Australian casualties, and the awarding of seven Victoria Crosses.
Media release from Darren Chester MP: http://bit.ly/2nej3IQ... Pic via Australian War Memorial.
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For those of you in the Quairading, Corrigin, Narembeen and Hyden areas of #WA...

For those of you in the Mangrove Mountain, Niagara Park, Gloucester and Dungog areas of #NSW...

Have a personal best for 4 minutes of indoor rowing? Let Invictus Games know below...

There have been a few changes in your online DVA transactions. As of 30 July 2018, veterans and their families will need a myGov account to access DVA’s online services.
This is a new way of working and to make the most of these benefits, you will need to have registered for a MyService or MyAccount.
For details on this update, including how to link your existing DVA services with myGov and how to register for our online services, please visit the DVA website. https://www.dva.gov.au/…/dva-online-ser vices-are-joining-my…

DVA can pay for treatment for any mental health condition and it does not need to be related to your service. This is known as non-liability health care and it is available to anyone who has served as a permanent member of the ADF.
For DVA to pay for your mental health treatment, you will need to show a white card when you visit a mental health professional. If you don't have a white card, you can apply for one through MyService. If you already have a white card, apply to add... mental health treatments to your white card through MyService.
More information is available about non-liability health care or call DVA on 133 254 or 1800 555 254. #ThankYouForYourService #TYFYS
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You've told us that you've found the DVA website difficult to navigate - so, we’re trying to make it better. Check out the site and tell us what you think by clicking on the feedback button at the top of the homepage. https://beta.dva.gov.au

We are changing our website. We’re making it more user-friendly with enhanced features & we'd love to hear what you think. Click the link at the top of the website homepage to provide your feedback #transformingdva

Australia's military history is dotted with stories of the thousands of men and women who stood by and supported those who served.
Jean Roberts is one of those unsung heroes and she turned 100 yesterday! Many happy returns Jean and thank you for your service! #ThankYouForYourService #TYFYS