Commodore Greg Yorke, AM, CSC
Chair
As chair of the Victorian Veterans Council (VVC), I am pleased to present our annual report for 2023–24.
This year we expanded our network and strengthened existing relationships within the veterans sector, deepening our understanding of current and evolving community needs.
With the release of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s final report in September 2024 and leading up to the 90th anniversary of the Shrine of Remembrance, it is critical that we continue to connect with and support Victorian veterans and families.
These two events are a time for reflection and connection to recognise the service and sacrifice of all those who have come before us and the continued work ahead.
The VVC is proud to be a voice for veterans in Victoria, providing lived experience insights and advice to the Victorian Government on the needs of veterans and their families.
The VVC recognises that we are one part of a dedicated and resilient veterans sector, and we welcome and appreciate input from the sector. The VVC is committed to engaging with you to continue to honour and support Victorian veterans.
In honouring this commitment, in 2023–24 the VVC drafted its first engagement strategy and sought feedback from the sector, incorporating this feedback into the final document. The strategy outlines the VVC’s commitment to the sector and provides a framework for ongoing engagement. The strategy is based on the principle that the VVC’s engagement with stakeholders should be meaningful, inclusive, transparent and informed.
Through quality engagement with the veterans sector, the VVC aims to achieve greater outcomes for Victorian veterans. This is by way of its role as a voice for veterans and representing their concerns to the Victorian Government and as a key connector for veterans community stakeholders.
On behalf of the VVC I thank everyone who contributed to the strategy. We look forward to continuing our engagement with the sector in 2024–25.
25th anniversary of the International Force for East Timor
In 2024 we will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET), the Australia-led peacekeeping operation that aided East Timor to achieve its independence. The first Australian peacekeepers landed in Dili on 20 September 1999. More than 5,000 Australian personnel took part in the 22-nation peacekeeping operation. Australia’s leading role in the operation shows our commitment to freedom and democracy for all peoples. INTERFET brought an end to the violence and paved the way for humanitarian aid. It helped forge strong bonds between Australia and countries in our region.
Australian personnel helped the people of East Timor with our trademark values of courage, endurance and mateship. As we come together in September to remember all those who served during INTERFET, let us commemorate their service and reflect on the continued need to support all those who have served.
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
Since it began in July 2021, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has shone a light on the issues that we in the veterans community know all too well, as well as highlighting lesser-known stories of defence and veterans hardship. It has reinforced the vital need to honour and support veterans and their families. The Royal Commission received 5,889 submissions on themes including the:
- culture of the Australian Defence Force
- treatment of women and LGBTIQA+ members
- complexity of the compensation and rehabilitation system
- lack of adequate data on defence force and veteran suicide.
The Commission also had 6,588 phone enquiries, held 886 private sessions, had 346 witnesses appear at hearings and published 1,011 submissions. The Commission held hearings across the country, including in Melbourne from 28 August to 8 September 2023.
The VVC welcomed the Royal Commission’s Shining a Light: Stories of Trauma & Tragedy, Hope & Healing, which highlights the vital role of hearing from people with lived experience of defence suicide and honoured their contribution to the Commission.
The Royal Commission released its final report on 9 September 2024 and The VVC is currently reviewing the findings and recommendations.
Veterans Card – Victoria
The VVC was pleased to see the Veterans Card – Victoria launch in July 2023. The Veterans Card is the first of its kind in Australia. It offers veterans and serving defence force personnel living in Victoria access to discounts and cost-of-living benefits including:
- a $100 discount on the registration of one light motor vehicle
- free trailer and caravan registration
- a fishing licence exemption and free boating (marine) licence
- free public transport on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day
- access to veterans-specific employment programs run by the Victorian Government.
Prior to the release of the card, the VVC held discussions with the veterans sector and provided feedback to the Victorian Government on the card. I am pleased to see the recognition of veterans in the state, and I encourage all Victorian veterans to sign up for the card.
A voice for veterans
As chair, I want to thank all members of the VVC for their service and dedication throughout the year. I extend a special thanks to the outgoing members whose terms ended during the year – Pelagia Markogiannakis and Daniel Cairnes. I thank Pela for her work and commitment as the deputy chair of the VVC from January 2020, and Dan for his leadership as the Funding Sub-Committee chair from April 2022.
I would also like to thank Simon Thorn and Ken Tsirigotis, who served as the RSL Victoria and Melbourne Legacy nominated members. They both concluded their terms in April 2024.
I give a warm welcome to the incoming members of the VVC, including Peter Swandale as the RSL Victoria nominated member and Emily O’Dwyer as the Melbourne Legacy nominated member. I look forward to working with them in supporting Victoria’s veterans and ex-service community.
I thank the Minister for Veterans, the Hon Natalie Suleyman MP, for her continuing support for Victoria’s ex-service community and to the VVC. The VVC is also grateful for the excellent support of the Office for Veterans in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. We look forward to another year of supporting and honouring our veterans and their families.
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