Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs extend into Northern Adelaide

Veterans and families across Northern Adelaide will soon have greater access to support and services.

Today, the Government awarded Lives Lived Well a $5 million grant to establish the Northern Adelaide Veterans’ and Families’ Hub.

The Hub will be open to all current and former Australian Defence Force members, including reservists, and families. It will provide enhanced access to a range of services to support health and wellbeing, advocacy, education, skills and employment, housing and accommodation support, and more.

Lives Lived Well is a not-for-profit organisation with more than 40 years of experience in mental health and wellbeing support. Lives Lived Well has also recently established the Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Caboolture, Queensland.

Lives Lived Well will take its direction from the unique needs of the local veteran community and will partner with several ex-service and other community organisations, and government agencies to deliver the best possible support for veterans and families across Northern Adelaide.

The Northern Adelaide Hub is one of eight new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs being established under a $46.7 million Government commitment to develop a network of Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country.

Visit the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs webpage to learn more.

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Call to Arms: The Liberation of East Timor | ABC News Documentary.

The liberation of East Timor marked a pivotal moment in the complex relationship between Australia and Indonesia, as well as the birth of a new nation through the intricate dance of diplomacy and a crucial peacekeeping mission. The events that unfolded underscored the challenges and opportunities inherent in navigating international relations during times of political upheaval.

In 1975, when East Timor declared its independence from Portuguese colonial rule, it found itself thrust into a tumultuous struggle for sovereignty. However, Indonesia, under the leadership of President Suharto, viewed East Timor as a potential threat to its territorial integrity and swiftly annexed the region, sparking a brutal occupation that lasted for nearly a quarter of a century.

The situation reached a boiling point in 1999 when, amidst escalating violence and human rights abuses, East Timor sought to break free from Indonesian rule. This quest for independence triggered a tense and delicate diplomatic dance between Australia and Indonesia. Australia, positioned in the region and sensitive to the humanitarian crisis unfolding, found itself at odds with Indonesia, a historically significant neighbor.

As the tension escalated, Australia, along with the international community, faced a moral dilemma. Balancing its commitment to human rights and regional stability with the need to maintain a cooperative relationship with Indonesia, Australia sought to find a diplomatic solution. International pressure mounted, and the United Nations eventually intervened to facilitate a referendum in East Timor, allowing the people to decide their political future.

The outcome of the referendum, held in 1999, was a resounding vote for independence. However, the aftermath was marred by violence and chaos, as pro-Indonesian militias rampaged through East Timor, causing widespread devastation. In response to the escalating crisis, Australia led a multinational peacekeeping force, INTERFET (International Force for East Timor), to restore order and protect the fledgling nation.

Through the joint efforts of diplomatic negotiations and the peacekeeping mission, East Timor finally achieved its long-sought independence on May 20, 2002. The birth of the new nation represented a triumph of diplomacy over confrontation, showcasing the potential for international collaboration in resolving complex conflicts. However, the scars of the past lingered, and the events surrounding East Timor’s liberation serve as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance required in navigating the intricate web of geopolitics and humanitarian imperatives.

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Australian Army soldiers trade land for sea with the Royal Australian Navy

Members of 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, are embarked in HMAS Canberra to practice maritime integration activities The Australian Defence Force is conducting a regional deployment that includes multilateral exercises within Southeast Asia and Hawaii. The deployment demonstrates Australia’s commitment to sustaining strong and positive Defence relationships with regional nations as well as the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

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Death Notice Ralph Alexander Forbes – RAA

We have received advice of the death recently of Ralph Alexander Forbes. He was 78. Ralph was a National Serviceman who served in Vietnam with 101st Field Battery of 1st Field Regiment RAA from September 1966 until June 1967.
Ralph was originally from Proserpine but had been living in Bloomsbury. He was a Life Subscriber of the 101 Battery Association.

No other details are known at this time.

RIP Ralph Alexander Forbes.

Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
RAAHC
pjbruce8@bigpond.net.au

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NATO need for a warfighting transformation.

NATO’s chief, Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, urged Western entities to prepare for an unpredictable era, emphasizing the need for a warfighting transformation within the alliance. In a two-day meeting of defense chiefs in Brussels, he highlighted the shift from a time of abundance and predictability to an era where anything can happen, stressing the importance of focusing on effectiveness.

Bauer’s call for adaptation follows Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, prompting a shift in mindset towards expecting the unexpected and prioritizing effectiveness. Amidst political disagreements in the United States and the European Union causing delays in military aid, Bauer assured NATO’s ongoing support for Ukraine, emphasizing the global significance of the conflict’s outcome.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed concerns about Western hesitation potentially prolonging the conflict, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized EU allies for insufficient support to Kyiv. Despite challenges, Scholz expressed confidence in the EU approving a 50 billion-euro aid package for Ukraine at an upcoming emergency summit on Feb. 1, following a previous setback in December due to opposition from Hungary.

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Some Real History:…

ED: From my inbox.

Dot Painting was invented in 1971 by Geoffrey Bardon who then taught the Style to Aborigines. There are no Dot Paintings in Caves or on Rock Walls.

The ‘ Welcome to Country ‘ Ceremony was invented in 1976 by Ernie Dingo and Richard Walley  to Welcome Māori performers as a Reciprocal gesture.

There is no Aboriginal Word for a ‘ Welcome to Country ‘ like the Māori’s Haka. How can it be an ‘Ancient Ceremony’ if there is no Word for it. How could someone say, ‘ Who’s going to Perform the ‘ Welcome to Country ‘ ceremony’?

The Acknowledgement of Country was Invented in 1990s.

The ‘ Smoking ‘ Ceremony is also a recent invention, another Ernie Dingo Special – Circa 1976. There is no Film or Video Evidence of any of these ‘ Ceremonies ‘ at important Events such as Royal Tours, Footy Finals, the 1956 Olympics etc., prior to the 1970s and 1990s.

Sometimes it is better to know the Truth, rather than have Myth’s forced down your throat.

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Australian Army | Land Power

Our circumstances have changed. The Australian Army is enhancing its power projection in the region. We are modernising how we train, doing more with our regional and global partners. Together, we are increasing our potency and sophistication. We generate land power to be ready to fight tonight. Alongside our partners, we are embracing new opportunities and adapting with what we have. The Australian Army is connected, protected, lethal, and enabled.

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