Veterans Advisory Council

The South Australian Veterans Advisory Council (VAC) met, under Covid-19 precautions for its 72^nd meeting on 8 October, at the Vietnam Veterans’ Federation’s Yerbury Centre in Marion. The VAC was briefed by Department of Health and Wellbeing (DHW) representatives on the status of the Veteran Wellbeing Centre currently under construction at the Repat Precinct. DHW representatives updated the VAC and highlighted the continued intention to make the space as accessible as possible to the wider veteran community. The VAC welcomed the Veterans Health Advisory Council (VHAC) Presiding Member, Mr Geoff Tattersall, and the Executive Officer, Mr Chris Lemmer to the meeting. Mr Tattersall briefed the VAC on the current VHAC priorities, most notably the progress of the Veteran Wellbeing Centre development at the Repat Precinct.  Mr Tattersall also committed to strengthening existing ties and increased collaboration and information sharing between the two Councils on matters of common interest. The 2020/21 annual funding allocation from the Commonwealth Department of Veterans’ Affairs Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Grants Program to South Australian ex-service organisations was also discussed. The VAC noted a further reduction in year on year funding and agreed to create a working group to develop and evidence-based position paper regarding the adverse impacts on the South Australian veteran community. VAC members were updated on the Anzac Day Commemoration Fund 2021 Grants program which is open until 29 October 2020, as well as Veterans SA’s commencement of a process to co-design the 10 year strategic outlook with and for the veteran community. The next VAC meeting is scheduled for 3 December, 2020. To contact the VAC directly regarding South Australian based veteran issues please email veteransadvisorycouncil@sa.gov.au or via post: Veterans SA, Level 4, 151 Pirie Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000.