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. Currently chaired by COL Robert Manton, 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 – 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 [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – November 2022 Communique
The VAC held its 83rd meeting on 24 November 2022, chaired by Mr John Godwin. Key items of discussion included: Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide The VAC received an update on the progress of the Royal Commission and noted that the Adelaide hearing block had been rescheduled from February 2023 to later in the year. Members discussed [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – September 2022 Communique
The VAC held its 82nd meeting on 29 September 2022, chaired by Mr John Godwin. Key items of discussion included: BRIG Laurie Lewis AM The VAC acknowledged the passing of BRIG Laurie Lewis AM, inaugural member and former Chair of the VAC and his immense contribution to the South Australian veteran community. Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – August 2022 Communique
The VAC held its 81st meeting on 11 August 2022, chaired by Mr John Godwin. The Hon Geoff Brock MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs was in attendance for the initial part of the meeting. Key items of discussion included: Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide The Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was released [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – July 2022 Communique
The next meeting of the VAC is scheduled for 28 July 2022. At its last (80th) meeting the key agenda item considered by the VAC was Veteran Homelessness. The VAC received presentations from Mr Nathan Klinge (VAC member and CEO of RSL Care/Andrew Russell Veteran Living Centre and Mr Chris Burns (VAC member and CEO Hutt St Centre) and considered [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – March 2022 Communique
From the Chair The VAC held its 79th meeting on 31st March 2022 as a hybrid meeting. The Hon Geoff Brock MP, Minister for Veterans Affairs (South Australia) attended for the initial part of the meeting. Department for Correctional Services Veterans’ Update The VAC was provided with an update from the Department for Correctional Services (DCS) and discussed issues relating to [...]
Torrens Training Depot Steering Committee Final Report
Download the Torrens Training Depot Steering Committee Final Report Download the Final Report Annexes
Veterans’ Advisory Council – February 2022 Communique
From the Chair The VAC held an out of session meeting on 24th January during which it received the final report of the Torrens Parade Ground/Torrens Training Depot Steering Committee and agreed the VAC priorities for 2022. Torrens Parade Ground/Torrens Training Depot Steering Committee Report Rear Admiral, the Hon Kevin Scarce AC CSC RN (Rtd) provided the draft final [...]
Veterans’ Advisory Council – September 2021 Communique
From the Chair The VAC held its 77th meeting on Thursday 30 September 2021. Key items of discussion included: Veteran strategy for Department of Correctional Services The VAC received a briefing from Mr Chris Tilley (VAC member and Senior Advisor, Veteran Services, Department for Correctional Services) and Mr Darien Shephard-Bayley, Executive Director Offender Development. The VAC noted DCS’s Draft [...]
Torrens Parade Ground Precinct Steering Committee – September Communique
Following discussion at the Premier’s Round Table meeting on 1 July, the Veterans’ Advisory Council (VAC) proposed that the future of the Torrens Training Depot and Parade Ground be revisited. The benefits of a ‘re-imagined Torrens Precinct’ include: providing for a more engaged and better serviced veteran community; opportunities to raise community awareness of the unique nature of the site, [...]
