Current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will compete for a place in the 2017 Australian Invictus Games team at selection trials this week in Canberra.

Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said about 80 athletes were expected to compete in the trials for a place in Australia’s 40-person team for the third Invictus Games to be held in Toronto, Canada from 23-30 September.

Prince Harry established the Invictus Games as an international, adaptive multi-sports competition for current and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill in service.

More than 550 athletes from up to 17 nations are expected to compete in Toronto in individual and team sports including swimming, archery, cycling, track and field, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair tennis, powerlifting, golf and indoor rowing.

Mr Tehan said the Invictus Games showcased top-class athletes and the triumph of the human spirit.

“Just as we respect the service and sacrifice of the men and women of our defence forces, we respect the competitors this week as athletes who have trained hard and sacrificed much to reach this level of excellence, and I wish them all the best in the trials,” Mr Tehan said.

“The physical and mental benefits of training for, and competing in, events like the Invictus Games are invaluable to our current and former ADF personnel, their family and friends.

“Australia’s involvement in the Invictus Games is part of a broader Adaptive Sports Program sponsored by the ADF and RSL in which current and former serving wounded, injured and ill members participate in a variety of competitions.

“Promoting positive mental health and providing the necessary care, rehabilitation and support to ADF personnel who are wounded, injured or ill is one of Defence’s highest priorities.”

The ADF is partnering with the Returned and Services League to send the team to Toronto. The 2018 Invictus Games will be held in Sydney.

More information on the Invictus Games and images are available at:
www.defence.gov.au/events/invictusgames

9th January 2017

Media enquiries:

Minister Tehan’s Office: Byron Vale, 0428 262 894
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203

 

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) can be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for crisis support and free and confidential counselling. Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 8 8241 45 46). VVCS is a service founded by Vietnam veterans.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Dan Tehan has called for more Australian businesses and ex-service organisations to step up and support the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program.

Mr Tehan said 23 organisations had registered their interest in participating in the Industry Advisory Committee and eight ex-service organisations had registered to participate in the program since its launch in November. A number of companies have also expressed interest in offering employment opportunities to veterans.

READ MORE

That time of the year is arriving with its powerful message of love, giving and seeking peace. It is difficult to believe there are those who would ridicule such intent.

  A Letter to Friends

That time of the year is arriving with its powerful message of love, giving and seeking peace. It is difficult to believe there are those who would ridicule such intent.

I recall being on operations in the Malayan Jungle during the Festive Season. Just a very small group of us, several days march from the nearest human habitation which was a small cluster of grass huts occupied by the Sakai ( very primitive and friendly people complete with blow pipes and poisoned darts for hunting game.)

On Xmas Eve we received a radio message that the battalion’s Priest was arriving by helicopter to spend Xmas lunch with us.  We were of course delighted for the opportunity to have visitors from the outside world sharing a tin of meat and biscuits.

However a Priest in our midst smacked of religious rituals.  With two exceptions (both devout Catholics) our small band had already demonstrated reluctance to religion.  In Australia on many occasions at church parades, those of us who did not wish to attend Church service were left in the freezing cold and taken for a long run while our Christian mates worshipped in warm and comfortable surrounds.

We realised it would be perhaps uncomfortable for our pious mates to be the only ones taking Mass while the rest of us looked on as curious spectators so it was decided we would all attend the service and as the Preacher would say  “So it came to be”

Our two mates were happy, the Priest had a new story to tell of converting well known heathens in the middle of the Malayan Jungle and the heathens felt contented because they had been considerate enough to please everyone.

That night regardless of our short comings in regards religious instruction; we too had our dreams of our families far away and imagined them as they would be, together, happy and sharing gifts with each other on such a special day which reminded all of us of the importance of such precious values.

Many years later, those of us still standing reflect with fondness on the day we took communion…

What am I saying? Perhaps even if there is doubt, there’s no reason to ridicule Christianity and every reason to share with those that do. Besides, the thought of Christmas gives every soldier the chance for the sweetest dreams of home that can never be stolen.

Well, that is what I and my heathen mates reckon…

My best wishes to you and your family for a merry Xmas and Happy New Year

Luv ya all

George M

 

The Poem  

Dreams of Home on Xmas Day

Today’s military is no different to those who came before

Always the thoughts of loved ones when away on distant shores 

More so when sleigh bells are tinkling and Xmas trees alight

Love, happiness and peace on earth is the plea in early day’s light

 

Be they on the ground, at sea or in the air, there are dreams to be

Images of happy children finding gifts and shouting with glee

So much joy in the home, all are together, except one 

Who smiles from the wall and is far away until duty done

 

The thought of not being with loved ones stirs a heavy heart

Lunch on the beach and rafferty rules cricket is about to start  

Or perhaps at home with a table laden with meats and tart

Warriors also dream of going home and never more to part

 

To be there in fading light, dancing shadows ever so near

Safe, secure and no more the sense of danger and fear

At night in bed with comforting sounds of rain on a roof above

Reaching over to embrace a loved one and whisper your love

 

Such dreams are no different from the past that many of us knew

Who once wore the proud cloth and swore to serve a nation true

Today another generation is absent on this special day too 

To protect a precious way of life that belongs to me and you

 

So let make a vow that whatever the reason; no matter the threat

We stand together and our beautiful way of life we protect

To march forward united as one for what we know is right

For future generations where there are Xmas trees, tinsel and lights

George Mansford © December 2016

 

This is a monthly e Newsletter from the AWM and a valuable source of information of events at the AWM

Articles include:

The longest war

At the RARA’s National Council Meeting in Adelaide 2-4 October it was unanimously agreed that we endorse Overwatch Australia  and specifically participate in supporting RAR Overwatch.

We see RAR Overwatch as an active part of the RARA’s role to protect the wellbeing of the RAR Family.  To that end we will advocate for its operational and financial support from DVA and other sponsors and promote it  through our RAR network to our RAR Family with encouragement  for individuals to join them in whatever capacity they want.

OVERWATCH AUSTRALIA (OA) Inc. is a not for profit national organisation tasked to reach out and assist current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families.

Its primary mission is to take a “boots on the ground” approach to assist personnel who are in danger of self harm, or are in trouble with the law, or are in financial difficulties or are in hospital or just need someone to visit. It also guides people in the right direction for services which Overwatch does not provide.

OA is one of the very few crisis organisations that pro-actively identifies and communicate direct with those in need of crisis assistance rather than waiting for their request. It does this through a network of volunteers who gather information from social media (facebook, etc) and other sources, and after verification of the need task the nearest volunteer first responders to attend.

To join as a volunteer follow these instructions:

1. go to your own facebook and in the search window type in RAR Overwatch, a drop down box will appear with selections, click on the  RAR Overwatch closed group.
2. That will take you to the RAR Overwatch Facebook page where you will see in the picture a window box that’s called Join, click on it.
3. You will receive a personal message (pm) on your facebook asking for verification. Reply to it
4. A further pm will be sent to you explaining the OA operation – welcome

To join as a financial member go here

Pass the word guys.

Click here for the report on our comrade Jock (Robbie) Buchan following his service in South Vietnam where he was Killed-in-Action on 11 December 1969 in a contact on the Nui May Tao during Operation Marsden.

The following photos are from the Presentation of the Butler McDermott Lawyers Kilcoy Diggers Cup with trainer Phyllis Kalinowski, winning jockey Todd Banks, Mr Neil Eiby RAR representative and Kilcoy Race Club President Con Searle.  Soldiers from 6^th Battalion Enoggera Brisbane who performed in the ceremony, trophies given to winning connections, trainer, jockey and strapper plus a few more from the day.

A very moving parade at Gallipoli Barracks, Enogerra commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

20 Long Tan veterans were in attendance to remember the 18 young Australians, their mates who laid down their lives that day.
“Lest we Forget”

Saturday 14th March 2015
12pm Showmens Club – Stanmore Rd Yatala

Wounded Heroes specifically supports the Defence Forces diggers and their families in times of need. The wounds of returned soldiers or at times the needs of family members affected because of their loved ones being IN the Defence forces, either on deployment or returned from deployment are an area not easily addressed or accessible through other Defence services.