ESO NEWS
Veterans to scooter from Brisbane to Townsville
At some point in 2022, 40 people – mostly veterans – will set off from RAAF Base Amberley near Brisbane on 50cc-scooters for the 2,100-kilometre trip to RAAF Base Townsville. Nicknamed ‘Scootaville’, the trip has been organised by the RAAF Radschool Association based in Brisbane, partly to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force but also to raise funds for the organisation. The Association was established in 1999 for graduates of the RAAF Radio School, but its membership now includes veterans from all three services. Its work includes organising reunions for veterans, reuniting old mates, and helping members in their dealings with DVA. Association Secretary & Treasurer Trevor Benneworth says the trip will take 13 days and involve passing through a variety of iconic Queensland towns including Kilcoy, Kingaroy, Mundubbera, Biloela, Emerald, Barcaldine, Longreach, Winton, Hughenden and Charters Towers. Individual IGA and Woolworth’s supermarkets along the way will provide ingredients for cooked breakfasts, which will be prepared by a mobile kitchen. He says, ‘those who dare to take part will have a hell of a lot of fun’. While most of the 40 riders have been confirmed for the trip, it is still not too late to register your interest in participating, either as a rider or to show your support along the way. If you are interested in taking part in ‘Scootaville’, then please email Trevor at trev@radschool.org.au. You don’t need to be a veteran to participate or show your support. The Association is raising funds through corporate sponsorship. If your organisation would like to sponsor Scootaville, contact Trevor at the email address above. You can find out more about the trip on the Association’s website (www.radschool. org.au/magazines/Vol71/Page13.htm). This event was originally scheduled for 12 September 2021 but has been postponed due to COVID. 10 VETAFFAIRS July 2021
The benefits of sport Veteran Sport Australia is promoting the benefits of sport, and developing some great resources along the way. Sport can have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the veteran community, including during recovery and rehabilitation. It can also help veterans with their transition to civilian life as many of the qualities they have picked up while serving, such as teamwork and leadership, are qualities at the core of most sports. Most recently, with the help of $59,000 in DVA funding from the Supporting Younger Veterans Grants program, it has worked with RSL NSW and Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling on the delivery of an online toolkit to encourage veterans’ involvement in sport and to showcase the benefits of sport. This toolkit consists of four video modules that provide examples of how sport is being used by the veteran community to assist with reintegration and rehabilitation. The topics include the physical, social and emotional benefits of sport,
Veteran and Invictus Games competitor Scott Reynolds (2nd from right) finds his role as a sailing instructor with Saltwater Veterans important for his ongoing health and wellbeing. Pictured here at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Sydney.
the healing power of adaptive sports, the Invictus Games legacy for ongoing recovery, and the benefits of volunteering in sport. ‘It gives you something to focus on,’ says veteran Scott Reynolds, who volunteers in sailing. ‘It [provides the] opportunity to help me to redefine my boundaries and my capacity, whilst giving back.’ Visit the Veteran Sport Australia website (veteransport.org.au) to check out their toolkit, with some further real life examples from veterans who have seen the physical, social and emotional benefits of sport. There are also some great resources and helpful tips on the Open Arms website (openarms. gov.au) about the benefits of exercise.
RUSIV announces inaugural ethics essay prize The Royal United Services Institute of Victoria (RUSIV) has announced an annual endowed essay competition for individual Australian citizens on the subject of Defence ethics. The prize of $2,000 will be offered. Original essays of no more than 10,000 words (exclusive of footnotes) are to be submitted in a single pdf file (accompanied by a Microsoft Word file) to the Secretary of RUSIV (secretary@rusivic. org.au) by 1600 hours AEST on 30 November 2021. There is no entry fee. The style of the essay is to follow that of the Australian Defence Force Journal and must be the original work of their individual authors. Copyright in the essays will remain with their authors, although it is expected that the winning entry will be available for publication. A copy of each essay submitted will be held by the Library of RUSIV, whose resources are available to assist entrants with their essays.
The topic for 2021 is: ‘How can the challenges to the Australian Defence Force’s ethical framework be met?’ The purpose of this essay prize is to provide strong support to the development of the Australian Defence Force’s ethics framework. Judging will be based on criteria including readability, breadth, importance, accessibility and relevance. The decision reached by the independent judging panel will be final. All authors will be notified of the judge’s decision within two months of the submission deadline. RUSIV reserves the right not to consider entries that do not comply with requirements and the right not to make an award if no suitable candidate applies. More information is on the RUSIV website: (www.rusivic.org.au)
‘Finding an advocate’ page on the DVA website If you are looking for an advocate, you may like to visit the ‘Finding an advocate’ page on the DVA website. The page includes a link to the Accredited Advocate Register as well as information about how advocates can help you access services and payments. Visit dva.gov.au and search for ‘advocate’.