Veterans’ advisory visits RAAF Base
The South Australian Veterans Advisory Council and members of Veterans South Australia visited RAAF Base Edinburgh on October 21 to better understand the needs of veterans in the Adelaide community.
CAPTION: Director Veterans’ South Australia, Bianca Wheeler, pays her respects after laying a wreath at the ‘Keeping Place’ at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Story by Group Captain Gregory Weller. Photo by Aircraftwoman Halley Van Essen.
The Veterans Advisory Council (VAC) was established in April 2008 to promote the wellbeing of South Australian veterans by providing advice to the South Australian Government about matters concerning the veteran community.
The council comprises members of the South Australian veteran community as well as representatives from the Army, Air Force and Navy. The VAC members are appointed by the South Australian Minister for Veterans Affairs.
The purpose of the VAC is to raise the profile of veterans issues by providing high-level strategic advice and assistance to the Minister for Veterans Affairs and Veterans South Australia.
During the visit, VAC members received familiarisation briefings and a windscreen tour of the base, engaged with soldiers and aviators, and had a guided tour of the base’s new ‘Keeping Place’, where the Acting Chair of the VAC, Miranda Van Hoff, and Director Veterans SA Bianca Wheeler laid a wreath at the Indigenous Veterans War Memorial. The Ode was also recited by Alex Houthuysen, an Aboriginal man from the Yamatji Nation of the Pilbara region of Western Australia who served in the Royal Australian Air Force for many years.
The visit was another initiative by RAAF Edinburgh to enhance the state government’s understanding of the Defence presence in Adelaide’s north and the needs and challenges of serving veterans in the Adelaide community. It followed a visit by South Australian Minister for Veterans Affairs Joe Szakacs to RAAF Edinburgh and RAAF Woomera in August.
It was also part of an ongoing base initiative to enhance Edinburgh’s serving veterans’ understanding of their part in the veterans community and how they can contribute to initiatives.
South Australia’s Senior Air Force Representative, Air Commodore Adrian Maso, said the importance the SA state government places on supporting serving veterans and their families is well recognised.
“The visit provides an opportunity for Edinburgh’s young serving aviators and soldiers to connect with members of the VAC who are advising on South Australian veteran policy and initiatives,” he said.
Ms Van Hoof said it was critical for VAC members to engage directly with the soldiers and aviators at RAAF Edinburgh to gain firsthand insights into their evolving needs and challenges.
“This understanding is essential for us to tailor our support and advocacy efforts effectively,” she said.
Ms Wheeler said the goal was to shape a thriving South Australian veteran community together.
“By actively involving the RAAF Edinburgh community in our initiatives – and with plans to expand these efforts – we aim to forge essential connections between current and former serving members,” she said.
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