Veterans’ Advisory Council

The VAC held its 99th meeting on 12 February 2026 at Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide, chaired by Prof Miranda Van Hooff. Key Items of Discussion Chair Update The Chair provided an update following a meeting with Minister Szakacs on 9 February 2026. Key points included: The Minister has indicated support for progressing work towards a whole‑of‑government Veterans’ Strategy, with Veterans [...]

The VAC held its 98th meeting on 20 November 2025 at HMAS Encounter, Osborne, chaired by Prof Miranda Van Hooff. The VAC meeting was incorporated into a visit to the new HMAS Encounter HQ, where members of the Veterans Advisory Council (VAC) received a comprehensive facility tour. Appreciation was extended to CMDR Ryder and Royal Australian Navy personnel for hosting [...]

The VAC held its 97th meeting on 11 September 2025 at Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide, chaired by Prof Miranda Van Hooff. Key Items of Discussion Chair Update The Chair welcomed members and introduced Joanne Wilson the newly appointed Project Officer – Workforce and Skills at Veterans SA. An update was provided on recent engagements, including attendance at commemorative events marking [...]

The VAC held its 96th meeting on 19 June 2025 at Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide, chaired by Prof Miranda Van Hooff. Key Items of Discussion Chair Update The Chair attended several commemorative events, including ANZAC Day, Coral-Balmoral, Aboriginal Veterans' Service, and Bomber Command. VAC partnered with Veterans SA, Defence Kidz, and Legacy SA/Broken Hill for Veterans’ Families Day at Port [...]

The VAC held its 95th meeting on 20 February 2025 at Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide, chaired by Prof Miranda Van Hooff. The Chair welcomed members, including new Ex-Officio member AIRCDRE Grant Fifield and proxies WOFF Gary Anderson and LTCOL Thuy-An Vu. Special thanks were given to Cheryl and Peter Cates for hosting the VAC Christmas break-up, and Kay Matthias was [...]

The VAC held its 94th meeting on 12 December 2024 at Saab Australia HQ, Mawson Lakes, chaired by Prof Miranda Van Hooff. The VAC meeting was incorporated into a day visit to the Saab Australia HQ, where members of the Veterans Advisory Council (VAC) received a comprehensive facility tour, business line briefs and an engaging afternoon tea with the Saab [...]

The VAC held its 93rd meeting on 21 October 2024 at RAAF Base Edinburgh, Adelaide, chaired by Acting Chair Prof Miranda Van Hooff. The VAC meeting was incorporated into a day visit to RAAF Base Edinburgh, where members of the Veterans Advisory Council (VAC) received familiarisation briefings, engaged with soldiers and aviators, and toured the base's new Keeping Place. The [...]

The VAC held its 92nd meeting on 29 August 2024, chaired by Acting Chair Prof Miranda Van Hooff. Key Items of Discussion included: Location of Future VAC Meetings Members discussed the benefits of holding meetings at various locations to enhance collaboration. Occasional meetings in regional locations were also agreed upon to support regional and rural communities. Veterans Advisory Co-operative Meeting [...]

The VAC held its 91st meeting on 27 June 2024, chaired by Acting Chair Prof Miranda Van Hooff. Key items of discussion included: Boer War Memorial – Harry “Breaker” Morant The VAC discussed their position regarding adding Harry Morant’s name to the South African War Memorial, citing his war crimes. The VAC agreed against adding his name to the Memorial [...]

The VAC held its 90th meeting on 18 April 2024, chaired by COL Rob Manton. Key items of discussion included: Northern Adelaide Veterans’ & Families Wellbeing Hub  The VAC received a briefing from Erika Nel, Clinical Services Manager – Specialised Services, Lived Lived Well, on the proposed Veterans’ and Families Wellbeing Hub in Northern Adelaide. The briefing included: History & [...]

The VAC held its 89th meeting on 15 February 2024, chaired by COL Rob Manton. Key items of discussion included: Public Holidays Bill 2023  An extra-ordinary meeting of the VAC was held on 4 December 2023 to discuss the Public Holidays Bill 2023. The Director advised that amendments to the Public Holidays Bill 2023, including reinstating the descriptor ‘Anzac Day’ [...]

The VAC held its 88th meeting on 23 November 2023, chaired by COL Rob Manton.   Key items of discussion included: Department for Correctional Services veterans update The VAC received a briefing from VAC member Chris Tilley in relation to the DCS Veteran Services Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2025. Mr Tilley advised that DCS is committed to developing a strategy [...]