South Australian Attorney-General's Department

 

How the State Government has supported the Veteran's Community in South Australia.

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Since coming to office in 2002 the State Government and Veterans SA has supported the veterans’ community in a manner unprecedented in recent times.

State Government support has included:

  • The $5 million upgrade of Torrens Parade Ground and Training Depot complex;
  • Assisting ex-service organisations to take up accommodation in the Torrens Training Depot;
  • Majority funding of the Vietnam War Memorial;
  • Creation of the Veterans’ Affairs portfolio and the appointment of a Minister for Veterans’ Affairs;
  • Establishing the Veterans’ Advisory Council with an independent Chairman;
  • Establishing the Veterans’ Health Advisory Council;
  • Establishing the Office of Veterans SA;
  • Majority funding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War Memorial project;
  • Establishing the Premier’s ANZAC Spirit School Prize to give young South Australians the opportunity to learn more about the service and sacrifice of our veterans;
  • Establishing the ANZAC Day Commemoration Council to ensure the contribution of all men and women, who have served Australia in time of war or armed conflict, or in international peacekeeping operations, is recognised and commemorated in South Australia;
  • Providing $200,000 to fund over 100 community projects designed to ensure that the contribution of all our veterans is not forgotten; &
  • Joint purchase of the Victoria Cross awarded to Major Peter Badcoe V.C.

Veterans SA support on behalf of government and Veterans Advisory Council achievements have included:

  • Preparing and having passed legislation to protect ANZAC Day traditions;
  • Funding the “Courage and Humanity Tour” of the Badcoe V.C. and the Burke and Wills Breastplate throughout regional South Australia to allow all South Australians to see these important items;
  • Working with the Commonwealth Department of Veterans’ Affairs to plan projects that will appropriately commemorate the anniversary of the commencement of World War I;
  • Acknowledging our veterans and preserving our military history by seeking ex-service involvement in appropriate state infrastructure projects (eg Tom “Diver” Derrick Bridge, South Road “Gallipoli” Underpass Project);
  • Coordinating State Government services to veterans across departments;
  • Providing local advice on programmes, projects and funding opportunities for the veterans’ community;
  • Helping to raise public awareness of the sacrifice made by South Australian veterans;
  • Providing $100,000 pa funding to assist with the conduct of ANZAC Day Commemorative activities;
  • Providing $10,000 pa funding to assist with the conduct of the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the South Australian War Memorial;
  • Sponsorship of Vietnam Veterans’ Day;
  • Funding the Len Opie/Korea Exhibit at the Army Museum of South Australia in recognition of Major Len Opie DCM, RFD, ED one of South Australia’s most distinguished soldiers;
  • Amending State Government legislation to legalise Members Draws held in RSLs;
  • Preservation of graves and memorials of war veterans in Centennial Park’s Derrick Gardens and R.S.L. Walls;
  • Ensuring the longevity of the Women’s Memorial Playing fields at St Mary’s as a site of ex -service military significance;
  • Supporting the Aboriginal Ex-Service Members and Dependants Project;
  • Funding and assisting with the planning of the annual Aboriginal Veterans’ Commemorative Service conducted at the South Australian National War Memorial;
  • Part funding the construction of the Injured Service Persons Memorial at Torrens Parade Ground;
  • Initiating the publication of a weekly “Minister’s Message” newsletter;
  • Initiating the publication of a bi-annual newsletter “Veterans’ Voice” (Distribution 18,000 copies);
  • Amending State Government legislation to prevent the acronym RSL from misuse;
  • Facilitating liaison with the Taxi Industry and involving volunteer veterans in taxi driver training to enable taxi drivers to be made more veteran aware;
  • Convening the first National State Veterans’ Affairs Officers’ meeting;
  • Donated $100,000pa to the Legacy Club of Adelaide;
  • Provided $140,000 in funding to ex service and community organisations;
  • Encouraging and facilitating Vietnam-era service families to participate in the Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study;
  • Liaison with the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on ex-service matters;
  • Continued to support and fund the ANZAC Eve Youth Vigil;
  • Creating and distributing state wide the Ex-Service Commemorative Calendar to ensure all South Australians (including school students) are aware of the days of importance to the veterans’ community;
  • Partnering the Army Museum of SA, Uni SA, History SA, the Department of Education and Children Services and the ANZAC Day Commemoration Council to investigate the creation of a Virtual War Memorial that will provide an on-line military museum resource to all South Australians and integrate the military history of our state into the national school curriculum;
  • Supporting the veterans PTSD program Trojan’s Trek;
  • Assisting in the coordination of funeral and remembrance ceremonies for prominent members of the veterans’ community;
  • Working with Defence SA to ensure the smooth re-location of the 7 RAR Battle Group to South Australia in 2011/2012;
  • Supporting and part funding the proposal for the production of a short film documenting the military service of Aboriginal South Australians;
  • Working with the Adelaide City Council to improve security arrangements on the Pathway of Honour adjacent Torrens Parade Ground;
  • Representing veterans in dealing with Fleet SA to ensure TPI concessions were maintained;
  • Successfully representing and supporting veterans’ families with requests for disability support; &
  • Negotiating with Fleet SA to allow TPI veterans to negotiate “fixed price” purchase of vehicles being sold at State Government auctions.
  • Facilitated veterans’ community membership of the Office for the Ageing (OFTA) Research Round Table.
  • Facilitated veterans’ community representation on the Ministerial Advisory Board on Ageing (MAB).

In addition to being involved in many of the outcomes identified above, the Veterans’ Advisory Council has also:

Represented and advocated on behalf of Veterans to the Federal Government on matters such as:

  • Seeking recognition of SEATO nurses under the Veterans Entitlement Act 1986;
  • Military superannuation arrangements and the Matthews Report including a personal letter of advocacy from the Premier to the Prime Minister.
  • Access by veterans’ children to the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme;
  • Review of military compensation arrangements;
  • Membership and Functions of National DVA forums;
  • Aboriginal Members and Dependants Project; &
  • Ministerial representation on behalf of individual South Australian veterans in respect of their entitlements under the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986.

Made representation to the State Government on matters including:

  • Review of State Government concessions provided to eligible veterans in SA to bring them into line with other States. The first recommendation is to increase driver’s licence concessions for disabled pensioners from 50% to 100%;
  • Recognising veterans as a Special Needs Group;
  • Quantum of legal resources provided to veterans to pursue disability claims;
  • Quality of mental health resources at the Repatriation General Hospital; & Study of military history in schools.
  • Naming of State infrastructure projects to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of South Australian veterans

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