Veteran Support Group

08/10/2026

DVA has put out two updates on travel for treatment. Together they affect how much a veteran gets back and how fast.

Choose the Closest Appropriate Provider
DVA pays travel to the Place Where Appropriate Treatment is Available (PWATA): the closest provider who can give the treatment. A veteran can still choose a provider further away, but may then pay part of the travel themselves. If a provider tells a veteran DVA will cover a long trip, that may be wrong.

Before any long-distance trip, email [email protected] to check what DVA will pay. DVA may ask for a letter from the treating provider explaining why that provider is needed.

What Can Be Claimed
Private vehicle allowance, public and community transport, ambulance, taxis and rideshare, parking, tolls, and accommodation and meals where reasonably needed. A travel attendant (a partner, family member or friend) can also be covered. Approval for treatment does not automatically mean the travel is covered; DVA decides travel separately.

Getting Claims Paid Faster
DVA is speeding up simple claims. To help:

• claim in MyService, as soon as possible after each trip
• one appointment per claim; claims covering several appointments take longer
• keep the comments field to what is relevant
• attach receipts, except for meals, private accommodation and private vehicle costs, which do not need them

The Form
For veterans who cannot use MyService, the paper form is the D0800, Claim for Travelling Expenses. The current version (July 2026) is attached. DVA's video guide is How to claim travel expenses in MyService.

What You Can Do
If a veteran is referred somewhere far away, check with [email protected] before they book. Help them claim each trip on its own, soon after they travel.

DVA's pages: Choose the closest appropriate healthcare provider, Streamlining travel Expense claiming and Travel for treatment.

Let me know if you have any questions
[email protected]

07/10/2026

Applications for the ADF ARRTS (Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills) program close today, Thursday 8 October 2026. If you’re working with a veteran who might suit it, let them know today. They do not have enough applications so they will accept late applications.

The poster is attached. In brief:
What it is: a 4-week residential arts program at the University of Canberra for people with health and wellbeing challenges related to service. It’s uniform-free and rank-free.
Streams: visual arts, music and rhythm, and creative writing. No previous arts experience is needed.
Dates: 1 November to 27 November 2026.
Cost: for eligible applicants, the program covers tuition, mentoring, travel, accommodation and allowances.
Who can apply: current serving and transitioning ADF members, Reservists, DVA veterans who transitioned within the last 3 years, ACT Emergency Services, and the Australian Federal Police.
How to apply: online at the ADF ARRTS application page.
Questions: email [email protected] or call 02 6127 6505.

13/09/2026

National Peacekeepers' Day is observed in Australia each year on 14 September.

Thank you for your service.

Current Active UN Peacekeeping OperationsAccording to UN Peacekeeping, there are currently around a dozen active missions worldwide:
[1] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrATdQv2oLU&t=287),

[2] (https://peacekeeping.un.org/en)UNTSO (Middle East) – Truce Supervision Organization (Operating since 1948; Australia's contribution is known as Operation Paladin).
UNMOGIP (India and Pakistan) – Military Observer Group in Jammu and Kashmir.
UNFICYP (Cyprus) – Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.
UNDOF (Golan Heights) – Disengagement Observer Force.
UNIFIL (Lebanon) – Interim Force in Lebanon.
MINURSO (Western Sahara) – Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara.
MONUSCO (Dem. Rep. of the Congo) – Stabilization Mission.
UNISFA (Abyei, Sudan/South Sudan border) – Interim Security Force.
UNMISS (South Sudan) – Mission in South Sudan.
MINUSCA (Central African Republic) – Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission.
UNMIK (Kosovo) – Interim Administration Mission.
[1] (https://peacekeepers.asn.au/peacekeeeping-operations/),
[2] (https://unsoh.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/un_peacekeeping_operation_list_3_2.pdf),
[3] (https://peacekeeping.un.org/en)
Major Past Operations by RegionAsia & The Pacific
INTERFET & UNTAET (East Timor, 1999–2013) – A massive Australian-led multinational task force (Operation Stabilise) that transitioned into a UN governance mission to secure East Timor's independence.
[1] (https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/peacekeeping/operation-summaries),
[2] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_non-United_Nations_peacekeeping_missions)UNTAC (Cambodia, 1991–1993) – Supervised a ceasefire and organized national elections.
[1] (https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/peacekeeping),
[2] (https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/peacekeeping/operation-summaries)RAMSI (Solomon Islands, 2003–2017) – A non-UN regional assistance mission led by Australia and Pacific nations to restore law and order (Operation Anode).
[1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_History_of_Australian_Peacekeeping,_Humanitarian_and_Post-Cold_War_Operations), [2] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_non-United_Nations_peacekeeping_missions)UNCI & UNGOC (Indonesia, 1947–1951) – The world's very first field peacekeeping operation, observing the cessation of hostilities between Dutch and Indonesian forces.
[1] (https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/peacekeeping/operation-summaries)Bougainville Peace Monitoring Group (Papua New Guinea, 1997–2003) – A regional, unarmed peace operation following the Bougainville Civil War.
[1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_non-United_Nations_peacekeeping_missions),
[2] (https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/peacekeeping/operation-summaries)AfricaUNAMIR (Rwanda, 1993–1996) – Sent to support humanitarian relief and stability during and after the Rwandan genocide.
UNOSOM I & II (Somalia, 1992–1995) – Aimed at securing humanitarian food corridors amidst famine and civil war (Operation Solace).
UNTAG (Namibia, 1989–1990) – Monitored the withdrawal of South African forces and oversaw Namibia's transition to free elections.
ONUMOZ (Mozambique, 1992–1994) – Assisted with the implementation of the Rome General Peace Accords.
UNAMSIL (Sierra Leone, 1999–2005) – Deployed to assist with the implementation of the Lomé Peace Accord.
[1] (https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/repertoire/peacekeeping-missions),
[2] (https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/peacekeeping/operation-summaries),
[3] (https://www.awm.gov.au/learn/understanding-military-history/official-histories/peacekeeping),
[4] (https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/peacekeeping)Middle East, Europe & The AmericasMFO (Sinai, 1982–Present) – The Multinational Force and Observers is a high-profile non-UN operation supervising the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel (Operation Mazurka).
UNPROFOR (Former Yugoslavia, 1992–1995) – Formed during the Yugoslav Wars to ensure conditions for peace talks and protect humanitarian security zones.
MINUSTAH (Haiti, 2004–2017) – Deployed to restore stability and support the transitional government following civil unrest.

National Peacemakers' Day on 14 September marks the day Australians first deployed on a peacekeeping mission in 1947.

23/08/2026

Our community's voice matters.
With recent changes to the Veterans Support Group, we are taking the opportunity to listen, learn, and improve. We would love to hear your thoughts on how we can better support veterans, ex-serving members, and their families.
If you've had a positive experience with our services, we would be grateful if you could share your experience with a Google review. Every review helps strengthen our community and allows others to discover the support available.
A reminder that our Men's Shed welcomes all serving and ex-serving members and operates under a separate ABN. We keep information for both groups together on our pages to make it easier for everyone to stay informed.
Thank you for your support and feedback.

https://share.google/BizFLkUdSY5A59rlK

15/08/2026

Veterans + men’s shed making happiness
Big Thankyou to Wozza, Greg, Andy the build and Frank and Kevin delivering. And Sophie and Caleb with helping paint. So much appreciation

13/08/2026

This is just a friendly reminder for our Vietnam Veterans' Day Memorial Service on 18th of August at 11:00am. Some light refreshments will be provided at the memorial service; If you are coming, please arrive at 10:45am so that we can hopefully start on schedule.

Due to this event next Tuesday, the Veteran's Support Group Office associated with VVF will be closed from 10:30am-1:00pm. Therefore no phone calls, emails or appointments will be taking place during these times, as members of admin and some advocates will be attending and supporting the event as well.

I have attached a flyer below with more information on the event for anyone who is interested in attending. Everyone is welcomed to join us for the memorial, to honour our Veterans that fought in Vietnam and The Battle of Long Tan.

26/07/2026

SRDP TPI EDA ADAor over 80pts

13/07/2026

📢 A Note on This Week’s Office Hours
We want to let our veteran community know that our team will be undertaking ADTP training this week, which means we’ll have limited staff available.
Because of this:
🔴 Wednesday: Our office will be closed for the full day.
🟡 Thursday: We’ll be open for morning hours only, 9am–12pm.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, especially to those who rely on us for support. If you have an urgent matter during this time, please reach out to us at [07 55782233] or [[email protected]] and we’ll do our best to assist you as soon as possible.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support — we’ll be back to normal hours next week.

25/06/2026

With a gp referral ask for community ot.

motivationoccupationaltherapy

14/06/2026

💳 Got a White Card and not sure what it actually covers? 💳

You're not alone. Plenty of veterans hold a White Card without knowing the full range of what it can do.
Here's the plain version.
Your White Card covers clinically required treatment in Australia for your accepted service-related conditions. That can include:
• GP and specialist appointments
• Hospital and day procedure treatment
• Dental and optical
• Allied health like physio
• Pharmacy, community nursing, pathology and imaging
• Aids and equipment for things like hearing, mobility and daily living
It can also cover mental health treatment, and certain cancers and pulmonary TB, under non-liability health care, which means you don't have to prove your service caused those conditions.

A handy tip: when you see a new provider, show them your list of accepted conditions at least once so they know what's covered.

There's a good factsheet here if you'd like to read more: https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/veteran-card/veteran-white-card

Not sure what's on your card or how to get the most out of it? Pop into the office or give us a call and we'll help you sort it out.

A card that allows you to get clinically required healthcare treatment for specific conditions at our expense