Thursday, 3rd April 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 acknowledged for her valuable contributions during her VAC membership.

Key Items of Discussion at the VAC Meeting included:

 Chair Update

  • Attended Bangka Day Memorial Service and Andrew Russell Veteran Living (ARVL) Lunch.
  • Participated in the Veterans SA Employer Network Members welcome event.
  • Planning is underway for this year’s Veterans’ Families Day on 15 May.
  • The 2024 VAC Annual Report is nearing completion.

Ministerial Update

In the Minister’s absence, the Director of Veterans SA provided updates:

  • Regional veteran issues and potential community activities with Whyalla RSL or Legacy SA.
  • Response and implementation activities related to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
  • Dinner at Parliament House with the Minister on 5 March..

New Business

VAC Meeting Plan Proposal

  • Discussed a draft 3-year meeting plan, strategy, and priorities.
  • Agreed to a flexible approach for meeting times and a balanced focus on all veteran communities – metro and regional.
  • Considered engagement with younger veterans and Defence industry organisations.

DVA Claims Support for Transitioning Members

Discussed sharing information about DVA-approved accredited services provided by advocates trained through the Advocacy Training and Development Program (ATDP).

Veterans SA Update

Updates on the Royal Commission Intra-state Working Group and Mentor and Mentee Program.

 South Australian Business

VHAC Update

Ongoing discussions about veteran identification in aged care.

Other Business

  • Gym Equipment at Repat –more information needed to determine demand for gym equipment at the Repat Hospital.
  • National Suicide Prevention Strategy – update distributed to members out of session.
  • Interior Space at Veteran Wellbeing Hub – seeking advice on interior space for the opening in June/July.
  • Keswick Barracks – submission of concerns and recommendations for heritage-listed buildings acknowledged by Heritage SA.
  • National Emergency Medal – medals distributed to Defence personnel for efforts during the 2019/20 South Australian bushfires.

 Next Meeting

To be determined due to the absence of the Chair and Deputy Chair at the next scheduled meeting on 22 May 2025.

To contact the VAC directly regarding South Australian-based veteran issues, please:

  1. Send an email to the VAC inbox: VeteransAdvisoryCouncil@sa.gov.au
  2. Type “For Note” in the subject line, followed by the subject.
  3. Include details of the agenda item in the body of the email.