I got (and broke) my new lapel pin
I got the new Veteran’s Covenant and Lapel Pin in the mail yesterday.
The postman came to the door, because he needed a signature on his pocket tablet thingie (though I’m not sure if I was signing for the lapel pin or the wife’s e-shopping).
Today is Tuesday, so of course I’m wearing a loud shirt, pretending to be happy – and I decided to add a little more spangle to my dangle and wear my new, flash-looking lapel pin at coffee club (for a shitstir).
I was even going to wear it on my lapel (funnily enough) – but couldn’t get the damn thing out of the box!
Pushed, pulled, twisted and squeezed the locking mechanism on the back, I did.
I even watched very ‘helpful’ videos and swallowed sarcastic commentary from armchair social-media experts on ‘how easy’ it was.
But to no avail.
I even broke the locking thingie in the effort.
So, court mounted or swing mounted it has to be, box and all, in the shirt pocket.
I even got an officer to have a go at taking my new trinket out of its box.
And if an ossifer can’t do it, what chance us mere mortals 😉
And, said ozifor, said he’d heard it’s a common problem.
Anyone else in the same boat?
[all you smartypantszs who easily got yours out of your box needn’t bother replying – you obviously got a good one, whereas some of us – hundreds, I’m led to believe – actually did get duds]
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CAPTION: My new Veteran’s Lapel Pin, box-mounted in the shirt pocket – because I’m a well-trained Army SNCO – adapt and overcome 😉 Photo by self.
I’m also a former RAEME aircraft fitter, so when I tell you it don’t work, then you can take my word for it – IT DON’T WORK!!!
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Thanks Ivan – as a former RAAF engineering apprentice (1955 intake) I presumed I knew, if not everything, well something, but the first pin I broke I imagined it to be faulty. But if there is a fault it’s probably in design rather than manufacture. The second one I cut the cardboard away and googled a question about it – there was Ivan’s post. I carefully managed to separate the badge from the locking device and will now pin it to some lapel – but I wonder if later I want to remove it to another lapel will it be an easy task?
Received in the mail today. all was good, pin was in the box, as for removing the pin well that was a different matter. Now I have it in four pieces. I have now worked out that it was a test and think I have failed!!!!!
🙂
Wow. 30 min off trying and read these replies after a google search on how to seperate. I tried a pair off scissors and it worked by place pressure in the rear most groove. Come straight off no probs. So glad I read the replies first. Cheers guys.
Good on ya Ivan.
I’ll try your scissors trick.
Wishing you a safe and memorable ANZAC Day.
Brian Hartigan
Editor
pull back rim, Twist it as a key, then easy release
the pin is keyed. not round
My husband just did what you suggested, and it worked!! Thank you for your advice!! ?
The scissors recommendation works!! ?
Well guys I’m glad I was not the only one. I could not release my Lapel Badge from the box and eventually the pin broke of the back of the badge. I called the right people with out any trouble and 4 weeks later got a replacement lapel. Soooo—- being a very old Sapper (24th Construction RAE) instead of throwing away the damaged Lapel Badge I purchased some Loctite adhesive and glued the broken pin back on to the back of the 1st badge. I then used a standard clip from an old badge and it works. .
Love your mounting, persevered and got mine out, it took 6 months to arrive, will see how long it lasts, thanks for the laugh (Ex RAAF)
I’m a Charge Qualified Marine Engineer, tertiary qualified with post grad qualifications and I can’t get the clasp to release the pin from the box tab. “For what they have done, this we will do”; send out dodgy trinkets instead of really looking after our people with a functional Veteran health care and administrative system and fairly indexed and appropriate pensions commensurate with the income we deprived the men and women we broke while they were serving. I have no joined the ranks of those defeated by the Veteran Lapel Pin.
Hey Mark. Maybe the pin is ‘fool proof’ – as in, only fools and non-technically trained experts such as us are able to manage it 🙂
I’m just glad I’m not alone 😉
G’day Brian, I had a good laugh at your ‘fools’ comment. I have a sticker on a cupboard in my garage that says, ‘If you make it idiot proof, someone will make a better idiot’, I’m now looking for a qualified idiot to help me get this thing out of the box! Stay healthy and thanks for your original post.
G’day Brian,
I wrote to the Shadow Minister of Vet Affairs, Shayne Neumann about the pin, highlighting the seemingly hollow sentiment behind the Covenant, when no-one bothers to QC the pin or follow up when Veteran’s receive a faulty pin or an empty box, the poor value for money it represents, the lack of any follow up to rectify the issue etc. etc.
The Hon Shayne Neumann MP’s parliamentary email address, doesn’t even send an automated response to emails. I wrote to him on 31 March 2020 and 22 May 2020. I have received no response to date, 07 September 2020.
After receiving no response from the Shadow Minister of Vet Affairs, I wrote to the Hon Anthony Albanese, Leader of the Opposition, on 12 June 2020 and 20 July 2020 and while I did receive an automated response on both occasions, I have had no further response to date, 07 September 2020.
It would appear the Federal Opposition has no more interest in Veterans’ Affairs than the incumbent government, who sent out the faulty pins and empty boxes in the first place and did nothing to rectify the flaws in their acquisition and distribution systems, when the issue was first raised by recipients. Waste of time writing to any of them, much like the faulty pin itself (in my case).
Regards
Mark
Just received the “subject pin” and after reading all above I’m giving it straight to the wife to try and remove it from the box……I’m thinking in the era we served, the wives and family received far less recognition than they deserved. If she can’t work it out, then “oh shit” she just handed me the two pieces and all is good…..See, my wife survived and is still showing me the way ?
LOL 🙂
Hi. Same deal as others. Got it out, pinned it on and the spike broke off. Very ordinary. Ok looking pin but perhaps made by the ‘most competitive quote’ in a country far, far away? I’ll try for a replacement but won’t be holding my breath on the newbie.
Cheers
Pete
Pete, the badge is most likely made in China, more pay-back from the CCP for requesting the independent investigation into the origin of Coronavirus.
Incidentally my first badge pin broke off and now the replacement one sent to me cannot be taken from the box. The faulty badge is a true representation of the DVA minister’s ability in politics.
I have had 2 pins and both broke. No moving parts on the first one and it broke into 3 separate pieces. The new one, the pin just fell off the main emblem as it was not attached correctly.
Good ‘Ole Aus Post delivered mine last week up here in CQ. Yeah, I got the pin out of its box first go…..I was in the Senior Service though…..
Hi All, received mine a week ago, I thought a rubix cube was hard, it had nothing on trying to get the clasp to let go. Eventually perservered with it and it decided to let go.
Feel your frustration,
(ex RAAF Equipo)
Thanks Mark. I appreciate the feedback.
Received mine a week ago. Couldn’t get it out of box so it will sit on the shelf unworn. It is about the quality i expected from dva. I am still undecided as to whether the pain that goes with the injuries is worse than the stress and anguish of dealing with dva or vice versa. The system needs a total overhaul and a pin and words on parchment aint gonna fix it. Thats my rant but i like your method of wearing it Brian.
God bless and good mental and physical health for all current and ex service personell.
Thanks Bryan. I appreciate that you appreciate my inventive ‘court mounting’ 🙂
I’m in the midst of dealing with DVA – or rather, letting a good advocate deal with them for me. I haven’t quite made up my mind about the process yet. My first claim was easy-peazy. But my experience with DVA’s mental-health coverage has been very mixed to date – https://www.contactairlandandsea.com/2019/05/17/my-personal-anguish-over-dva-funded-mental-health-treatment/
We soldier on.
Right back at you for good health, mate.
Brian, just read your story on the link and sounds near verbatim. My problem is that i was given an advocate that was new to the job and submitted a new claim for a condition i already have liability for so you can imagine the confusion at dva and the subsequent claim declined letter. I have wasted 12 months on a claim that i repeatedly stated was being done the incorrect way but my Psych has put me onto a top notch advocate not through an RSL office. Moral of story, if anyone is not happy with your advocate then find another. The great ones are plenty but like any other profession, there are those who havent earned the control of the reigns yet. Merry Christmas to Contact and all its subscribers.
I decided to avoid the phone approach to get a replacement. I looked up DVA’s email address on their help website
DVA.General.Enquiries [AMBDVAGENREQ@dva.gov.au] I sent the email last night complaining of the broken pin and recieved a reply this morning. They have had “numerous” complaints and have told the manufacturer. a new badge is being sent though it may take a while (I just hope I am still on the right side of the grass when it gets here).
Thanks for that tip Robert. I think I will do the email thing too.
Good luck with theVet’s Covenant & lapel pin. I cannot even get to first base with DVA to apply for MyService registration & Digger discount card. Try phoning DVA the service is a joke!
Hi Tim. I must say, I found the on-line registration with DVA was a doddle. I’m surprised to hear you’re frustrated with that. But I’d be very curious to hear if anyone else shares your frustration.
Re the discount card – that isn’t through DVA. You register with https://apod.com.au for that – but you’ll need a DVA ‘customer’ number to do it.
Got my pin and covenant a few months ago, figured out the clasp on the pin, need finger nails to pull up on the top hat bit, listening to others, I only attach to a thin part of shirt or jacket just in case it breaks, so far so good, worn it a few times now, as for dva card and apod, apod is just online but you can put a shortcut on your phone, I use it mostly for the 5c discount on Caltex fuel, I just did it through a Facebook link, had no troubles really, got non liability cancers put on white card, easy too, inquired with email then they rang me, sent forms for quack to fill in and back dated it 3 months, now trying for other injuries through an advocate, it’s worth preserving I think
Thanks. This was it. I grabbed a knife out of the draw, put it in the little gap and lifted, it came straight off.
Something wrong with me, it opened first go…..next appointment with the Doc. is near.
Must admit though that I was a Signalman.
Pedlar
As it is nothing more than a government trinket to stop us veterans from continuously complaining (as rightfully we should) I think the best thing everyone can do is, return the bloody thing with a note regarding where it may be kept – taking into consideration daylight saving.
It is a complete denigration of the TPI GOLD CARD, which has now finally lost all of it’s special significants. We were TPI, special people with DVA then the ‘uneducated’ decided they would give everyone a GOLD card and we had one hell of a job constantly telling doctors and specialists to ‘look down the bottom at the letters TPI’. DVA finally got the message and new cards were issued showing TPI in large black letters so, end of swearing at medics.
Now, they are issuing something entirely different with a ‘small’ carrot attached where we (maybe) can get a discount here and there – Oh, and a you beaut lapel pin to wear, but then you will have to explain to everyone what significants it has (remember the old Gold Card above?)
Shit mates, as long as we do get some fortnightly recognition in cash and medical attention whenever it’s needed who the hell wants a new lapel pin (many couldn’t fit it on their ANZAC jacket anyway, no room. ?
Hi there, it was difficult to remove the clasp thingy but eventually I got a small screwdriver to lever the clasp loose ( ie. Allow the knob end to slide up the pin )
then it was easy. I put it back and when I went to remove it from the box again I had to releat the process. The clasp seems to just seal itself to the pin really well.
I tried the small screwdriver trick and it worked for me. Thanks for the tip, Mike.
G’day Mike, eventually got mine “clasp thingy” off and replaced it with an old ribbon bar spike cap, much easier to operate
I read your article a couple of days ago so I expected the worst. My lapel pin arrived today. I tried the above comment about how to remove it easily. followed his instructions whilst being very careful. The little silver end knob just came of in my hand. the main collar is still firmly attached. I am not sure how to go about getting a replacement.
Thanks for sharing Robert.
While I commiserate with your failure, I glee in knowing I’m not alone 🙂
I’ve seen it written on Facebook that you can ring DVA, tell them what happened and they’ll send you a new pin.
I haven’t tried this myself yet, but will. But, Graham West (below), who did ring because he actually got an empty box in the mail, said he was on hold with DVA for 20 minutes, was indeed told he would be sent a new box with pin in it, but is still waiting 4 weeks later.
And they let you people handle loaded weapons
Hi Gus and Gals. Mine came in the mail last week, opened the large envelope read what was enclosed, good reading.
Then i removed the pin box from the cardboard cover, nice blue box with the pin embossed onto the top of the box.
Opened the box and it was EMPTY. No PIN to be seen at all with in the box. I phoned DVA (joke) and after about 20 mins, I spoke with a vert sympathetic lady, who said that the pin will be sent shortly. four (4) weeks now and nothing.
Discounts, the only really good one is the 5 cents discount at the nominated service stations.
Maybe ill have my pin sent to me as a christmas gift?????.
Graham West. ex RAAF and the old CMF
Couldnt get mine ut of the box either. Others who had managed to get theirs out of the box couldnt get mine to work. Seemed to be well and truly stuck. Ended up pulling on the little thingee on the end a bit to hard and it seperated.
Good use of tax payers funds that was.
Consider yourself lucky, I am still waiting for mine, maybe a New Years present, depending on Aust Post and their Xmas Spirit.
Hardly surprising our gift from the government is a dud.So we got a pin and a discount card.I would rather they keep their cheap trinkets,and give us a royal commision into DVA.
I wasn’t even going to get mine out of the box until I read the article, but broke mine on the first try, even though I knew how it was supposed to come off.
I’m so confused right now.
On one hand I want to cry because I feel sorry for you – on the other, I want to cheer because I’m not the only one.
🙁 🙂
Guys 2 moving parts and its got you buggered. The small silver keeper on the back needs to be released i.e. pull outwards. First hold the small round backing plate pull out and the whole keeper will come off. You made need to hold the larger silver section towards the front to get the smaller one out.
Thanks for the (un)helpful advice Jim. I think you nailed the problem – “two moving parts”.
There are no moving parts on my pin. I know they are supposed to move – but they don’t, didn’t, never have, never will – except for the one part that broke off in the initial efforts and now has complete freedom of movement.
As I said in the story, you obviously got one that works, whereas I got one that doesn’t/didn’t work, and no amount of well-intentioned advice or instruction is going to change that fact.
Besides, I quite like the ‘box-mounting-in-the-pocket’ solution 🙂
Napoleon once quoted that “A soldier will fight long and hard for a piece of colored ribbon.” It seems that Lapel Pins also yield the same effect!
I had a silica gel bag in the box telling me not to eat it. Do they mean the bag, the box or the pin? I’m confused.
THAT worked 3rd time for me…. I repeated on/off – on/off a few more times, and yep, that’s the way it works! Thanks!
So you need three f’ng hands. We are not all Dibbies LOL
Had the same problem – I broke mine getting it out of the box.
Super-glue to the rescue !
Cheers Barry. While I’ve seen plenty of ‘complaints’ on Facebook, you’re the first to support me here. So thanks for that.