The Veterans’ Advisory Council (VAC) was established in April 2008 to promote the well-being of South Australian veterans.
The VAC provides advice to the South Australian Government about matters concerning the veteran community. Miranda van Hooff is currently the Acting Chair. The Council’s membership is made of individuals from the South Australian veteran community as well as representatives from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force.
The VAC is guided by a Terms of Reference which outlines the council’s responsibilities and objectives.
Below you will find a summary of the key outcomes from recent VAC meetings.
Veterans’ Advisory Council Communique – February 2025
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 [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – December 2024 Communique
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 [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – October 2024 Communique
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 [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – August 2024 Communique
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 [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – June 2024 Communique
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 [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – April 2024 Communique
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 & [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – February 2024 Communique
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’ [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – November 2023 Communique
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 [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – September 2023 Communique
The VAC held its 87th meeting on 14 September 2023, chaired by COL Rob Manton. Key items of discussion included: Senior Veterans – Maria Barclay The VAC received a briefing from Ms Maria Barclay in relation to senior veterans with Gold and White treatment cards. Ms Barclay outlined issues faced by senior veterans entering into Home Care Packages with [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – July 2023 Communique
The VAC held its 86th meeting on 6 July 2023, chaired by COL Rob Manton. Key items of discussion included: Royal Commission into Defence & Veterans’ Suicide The VAC received a presentation from the Assistant Director, Communications & Community Engagement, Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicide in preparation for the Adelaide Hearing Block beginning on Monday, 17 [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – May 2023 Communique
The VAC held its 85th meeting on 4 May 2023, chaired by COL Rob Manton. Key items of discussion included: Census Data The VAC received a briefing from the Veterans and Families Policy Officer, Veterans SA, Mr Eric Parnis on ‘Census Data on South Australia’s Veteran Population’ based on the 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census. The presentation included [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – February 2023 Communique
The VAC held its 84th meeting on 23 February 2023, chaired by COL Rob Manton. Key items of discussion included: Veteran Homelessness The VAC received a briefing from the Chair of the VAC sub-committee on homelessness which included: Involvement in the Collaboration to Address Veteran Homelessness Forum held at RSL Victoria in February 2023 bringing together ex-service organisations, housing [...]
