Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today encouraged veterans in Gilmore to take advantage of the full range of support services available to them.
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Mr Tehan told a veterans’ forum hosted by Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis that the Government had made the treatment of all mental health conditions free for anyone who had served one day in the full-time Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Federal Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis MP was thrilled to have Minister Tehan in town, and welcomed him to the region.
“It’s fantastic to have the Hon. Dan Tehan, Minister for Veteran Affairs visit Nowra today to speak with constituents on some very important matters, but also in his capacity as the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security, as this is an emerging risk for all sectors in our community,” she said.
Mr Tehan said Gilmore had a strong and proud current and ex-serving community and the Government was committed to support its ADF personnel and veterans.
“Gilmore is home to HMAS Albatross and more than 1500 serving ADF personnel and we know many veterans choose to make one of the great towns in the region their home after they leave the military,” Mr Tehan said.
“The Government recently launched an online system called MyService to make lodging a claim simpler; this complements on-the-ground services such as the Veterans’ Information Service provided through the Department of Human Services (DHS) Service Centre in Nowra where DVA clients are given priority access to DHS agents trained by DVA to provide veteran-specific services and information about entitlements.
“DVA’s On Base Advisory Service makes routine visits to HMAS Albatross on the first and third Wednesday of every month and gives Australian Defence Force members access to information and advice about the support and entitlements they might be able to receive through DVA.”
Mr Tehan also called on local Gilmore businesses to nominate for the inaugural Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards.
“The inaugural Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards will celebrate Australian businesses that are employing veterans as well as the veterans who are making a significant contribution to their workplace,” Mr Tehan said.
“The awards will also raise awareness about the unique skills and talents our former ADF personnel can bring to any workplace.
“I encourage businesses and veterans in Gilmore to visit www.veteransemployment.gov.au and nominate for the awards.”
Nominations for the Veterans’ Employment Awards are open until December 22.
DVA also provides support to four day clubs that meet on a weekly basis in Bomaderry, Nowra, Sussex Inlet and Ulladulla.
The Australian Government has also supported Gilmore veteran organisations with more than $130,000 in funding through the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) and Veteran and Community grants programs.
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