The first Veteran and Defence Families Forum, held on 3 May 2022, focused on former serving members under 50 years of age, current serving members and their families.
The full-day program included a panel session with the Veterans SA team who responded to questions around the agency’s 10-year Strategic Outlook, 2021 achievements and planned activities for 2022. Attendees also participated in an open discussion around topics and themes of importance to the Defence and veteran community.
Veterans SA has prepared a preliminary summary from the forum below outlining the key issues raised and discussed, as well as the actions for each as proposed by the group.
To provide the broader contemporary veteran community who were unable to attend an opportunity to contribute, an online survey was open until 12 June 2022. The results of the survey will be considered alongside the forum feedback in future strategy planning.
Wellbeing and mental resilience
What we heard
Making meaningful connections is vital, however there needs to be a range of opportunities/options to make those connections. Everyone will have different comfort and confidence levels, and the way they engage will be based on this.
Using physical fitness and training is a great way to foster new connections and relationships, as are support groups that provide safe “spaces” to share experiences.
Not everyone will engage in the same way and at the same time, therefore support programs and services need to be adaptable and cater to a wide range of interests and capabilities.
It is important to have a safe space where people feel comfortable enough to participate, reach out or open up. It is also critical that wellbeing and mental resilience programs are planned with parent and family needs in mind (i.e. timing, location, genuine understanding of the experience of families, etc).
What you propose we action
Short term:
- Promotion of veteran programs and events
- Veterans SA endorsed and supported organisations and/or events (e.g. sponsorships)
Medium term:
- Use of Partnerships Hub for women’s/men’s circles, mental health, outdoor fitness – letters of support to SA Health to enable this
Long term:
- Funding for future programs/events
Additional support for Defence children and practical home support for Defence families
What we heard
The experiences and needs of Defence spouses and children are unique and there needs to be a better understanding of what Defence life looks like by the civilians that engage with them and the wider community.
The identification of children of current and former ADF members in schools across the state (not just in schools located in close proximity to base and therefore higher numbers of Defence children) will help target support be targeted to the right people in the right places. It will also help target where further education and support is required for staff and other students to understand the experience of Defence children.
There is an opportunity to more effectively educate all students across the state about Defence life, the importance of our Defence Force and our current and former serving members as well as the importance of Anzac Day and other commemorative activities.
Improved practical support is needed for Defence partners and children with special needs. Practical support at home is also important for Defence families when the serving member is on deployment.
Defence families in South Australia want more affordable access to private education and private health in order to have more choice over education and healthcare. Less restrictions around school zoning is also important (Defence families don’t have a choice what area/zone they live in). Limitations around access to paediatric mental health services through Open Arms is also an issue.
What you propose we action
Short term:
- Improve education in schools around Anzac Day, contributions/work of ADF and Defence life
- Identification of children of veterans and current serving members
- Entry and exit interviews in schools for Defence and veteran children
Medium term:
- Advocate for private schooling and medical assistance as well as reduce restrictions on school zoning for Defence families
- Salary sacrificing overhaul
- Information sharing events (e.g. expo) around public and private sectors
Long term:
- Practical support for spouses – many facets to this (requires further engagement)
Veteran and partner employment
What we heard
There are a number of businesses and corporations out there promoting that they are “veteran friendly”, but how do veterans or partners know who is genuine and how they support veteran employment? A credentials program to clearly identify those businesses who genuinely want to employ and support veterans and partners would be useful to help people looking for meaningful employment.
There are a lot of opportunities available to promote the value that veterans and partners can bring to the workplace and highlight the knowledge and skillsets they can contribute.
Partners of current serving members miss out on accrued entitlements such as long service leave, maternity leave, etc due to the nature of their lifestyle (having to move often and not being able to stay in a position long enough to accrue).
What you propose we action
Short term:
- Central repository of existing companies that have active Veteran Employment Programs (VEPs)
Medium term:
- Recognition – who are our veteran friendly employers within the state?
- Work with networks like Business SA to encourage businesses and companies to focus on veteran employment
- Awareness – education package that is available online and delivered regularly to increase awareness of value that veterans bring to workplace
- Target at employment expos (many employers participate)
- Enourage veteran employment at companies based at State Government Landing Pads (incorporate into Terms and Conditions of occupancy?)
Long term:
- Certification/credentials for businesses running VEPs
- Incentives for organisations that meet certain veteran and partner employment criteria
Veterans discount & ID Card
What we heard
A veteran ID card is a way that the wider community can recognise and honour the service of veterans (discounts can be offered to those who have a card). Allied veterans should also be covered in this initiative. It will also promote community connection as local businesses will have more opportunities to connect with veterans.
Concessions on utilities, council rates, airport lounges and health services would be helpful to veteran and their families.
Although there is a veteran discount program in place through APOD (Australian Partners of Defence), this is only complimentary to those with a White Card and there is an annual fee for veterans and families who do not have one.
What you propose we action
Short term:
- More collaboration between APOD and Veterans SA (better promotion of APOD and benefits to veterans and their families)
- Initial discussions about initiating a Veteran ID Card
Medium term:
- Assisting APOD to encourage businesses to identify themselves as APOD Partners (stickers)
- Investigate how Veterans SA can help APOD make it easier for veterans and their families to access membership (e.g. subsidising memberships if you don’t have a white card)
Long term:
- State-based incentives around cost-of-living expenses (vehicle registrations, council rates)
- Investigate Veterans ID card – veteran supporter stickers promoted by SA Government (promotes and encourages social connection with local community)
Veteran and partner identity and culture and supporting younger/contemporary veterans
What we heard
Younger and contemporary veterans do not feel represented on the councils that are in place to advocate for their needs – specifically, the Veterans’ Advisory Council.
Younger and contemporary veterans on the council would ensure that the views and opinions of this demographic is heard at this influential level.
There is a feeling that there is no physical space that is appropriate for younger and contemporary veterans to gather. RSLs are traditionally the place where former-serving members would gather, however the younger demographic does not feel that it is appropriate for them.
There is a focus on positivity by the younger veterans and many want to celebrate the positive experiences in their military career such as mateship and comradery, not dwelling on the negative. There is a lean towards physical activity to foster a supportive community, rather than drinking (which often leads to negativity).
It is important that contemporary theatres of conflict and military operations are commemorated and if appropriate, celebrated.
Families want to be considered more, and events that promote physical and mental wellbeing (e.g. sports carnivals), bring together current and former serving families and members of the wider community (e.g. Family Days) and opportunities to access or learn about services (e.g. expos) were suggested.
What you propose we action
Short term:
- Better representation of younger and contemporary veterans on the Veterans’ Advisory Council
Medium term:
- Educate the wider community about the value of veterans (change the stigma)and target current serving members to change the narrative that life post-service is a negative experience and to help build positive identities post-service. Achieve this through:
- Videos and storytelling
- Material for business and industry highlighting benefits and value in employing veterans – myth-busting
Long term:
- State-based sports event incorporating the wider community – see veterans in a different light/perspective
- Veteran ambassadors involved in video projects (e.g. celebrity/well-known veterans)
- Central veteran-led community space
- Family Day – Veterans SA to take lead and help promote
- not forced morale/fun (genuine)
- not coming from a chain of command
- Family fun and information/services access
- Events for current and former serving that allows gatherings throughout the year and starts to build community
Proactive not reactive approach to veteran and family support and improved access to information and services
What we heard
There needs to be a connection with the civilian world outside of Defence the entire way through service to ensure that when a member separates there is already a clear point of contact and a level of certainty and comfort in life without Defence support.
It was suggested that there be a point of contact available on-base who does not report to the chain of command that can act as a conduit between the member and services and programs outside of Defence. This is important, as there is a stigma around consulting with on-base social workers or the Padre.
Through this initiative, members who are identified as high-risk can be ear-marked so that extra support can be provided throughout and after transition. This will also alleviate the pressure on support services.
Families should be aware from the beginning what support is available to them, and this point of contact would also serve the families of members.
There is some concern around the role of Soldier Recovery Centres, that now seem to be more about preparing members for re-entry in to service than successfully transitioning out.
Families should have easy access to mental health training and education, so that they are well equipped to manage any issues that may arise during or following service. A veteran specific Mental Health First Aid Course could be an option.
Re-integration programs that run concurrently with service would be helpful to allow for a “slow transition” and set the member up for success.
A central point of information (e.g. Veterans SA website) that contains a comprehensive list of veteran services in the state would be useful. Programs and services should be better promoted. A calendar listing programs and events would also be useful.
Information provided at Transition Seminars should be more state-based for relevance to the people attending.
What you propose we action
Short term:
- Veterans SA more involvement at Transition Seminars, base open days and family days
- More state-based information at Transition Seminars
Medium term:
- Facilitate connections between on-base members (and their families) with external support and assistance – increased access for outside organisations to access members on-base to provide services and support
Long term:
- Point of contact on-base that is external to Defence that enables connection to community outside of Defence from enlistment to separation
