Woden Valley RSL Sub-Branch
The Price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance
General Information After Hours Crisis Counselling for
Veterans Ex-Member of Defence Forces PassThis pass is available to persons who have a DVA disability pension, of at least 10%, for free bus travel on both government and local private bus services throughout NSW (excluding special or premium services), and for free travel on Sydney Ferries Corporation services (excluding premium services). The pass also entitles the holder to free travel on any CityRail service. These services operate within the area bounded by Goulburn, Nowra, Lithgow, Newcastle, Dungog and Scone. Free travel is also available to Bathurst: however, it must be made via the CountryLink coach service from Lithgow. A booking is required in this instance. If you reside outside the Sydney or Newcastle Metropolitan areas, you are entitled to travel on CountryLink services three (3) times each calendar year free of charge. To obtain this entitlement you must completer an application for a CountryLink Travel Warrant. Applications are available by contacting the Passes and Concessions Office (address below). The pass can also be used to gain entry and exit from Airport Link stations on payment of a concession rate. An application for the pass, which is valid for a calendar year, and is automatically renewed each year, should be forwarded to: RailCorp and must include proof of your disability (e.g. a copy of your latest DVA determination).
Veterans’ Home Maintenance HelplineThe Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has found that many members of the veteran community want advice on how to arrange the services they need to maintain their needs. The Veterans’ Home Maintenance Helpline is a program DVA has developed to make the homes of eligible veterans and war widows safer from falls and accident hazards around the home. Gold and White Card holders are eligible for a free annual assessment. The Helpline can advise on general home maintenance matters, from changing a fuse to installing a new bathroom. The Helpline can also arrange a home inspection to identify current or possible future maintenance problems and will subsidise any maintenance work to a maximum of $163 per annum. Costs in excess of that amount will need to be met by the member. To request an assessment, call 1800 80 1945 toll free.
Stroke Awareness - FAST Act FAST save lives. The National Stroke Foundation is calling on Australians to save lives and reduce disability by looking out for the signs of stroke and acting FAST. FAST is an easy way for everyone to recognise the signs of stroke. FAST stands for Facial weakness Arm weakness Speech difficulty Time to act Using the FAST test involves asking three simple questions. Can the person smile - has their mouth or eyes drooped ? Can the person raise both arms? Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Looking out for these signs and seeking immediate medical attention will reduce the number of lives lost to stroke - Australia's second largest killer. In 2006, Australians will suffer 53 000 new and recurrent strokes - that's one stroke every 10 minutes. Dr Erin Lalor, CEO of the National Stroke Foundation says that seeking medical attention immediately when seeing the signs is very important. The faster someone gets a diagnosis and treatment, the greater the chance of reducing damage to the brain and having a better recovery. All too often people wither don't realise that someone is having a stroke, or don't get the help they need. Other signs of a stroke include:
The signs may occur alone or together. Even if the signs only last for a short period it is still important to get medical attention. The good news is that stroke is treatable and preventable. Stroke risk can be reduced by keeping blood pressure low, quitting smoking, healthy eating and exercising regularly. For more information on stroke you can contact the National Stroke Foundation on 1800 787 653 or visit the stroke foundation website: www.strokefoundation.com.au
After Hours Crisis Counselling For VeteransVeterans LineWhat is Veterans Line?Veterans Line is the after hours crisis counselling service provided by the VVCS - Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service. The service is designed to assist veterans and their families in coping with crisis situations outside of VVCS office hours. Counselling is provided free of charge.
Who can use Veterans Line?The same eligibility to access VVCS applies to Veterans Line:
Clients do not require a veterans entitlement card to use Veterans Line. Privacy and confidentialityVeterans Line acknowledges the right of clients to their privacy.Many callers choose to remain anonymous when talking to Veterans Line and the service respects that choice.If callers choose to give their details to Veterans Line it may be shared with the VVCS in order to provide veterans with an integrated, effective service. Information is not shared with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs without a client’s permission. There are some situations (for example where a life may be at risk) where it may be legally necessary for Veterans Line to disclose information to other agencies.If there is concern about this issue please contact your local VVCS centre for further details. How do I use Veterans Line?Toll free number (national)1800 011 046
REPATRIATION BENEFITS LIST The following is a list of products that are available on a Doctor’s prescription, for Repatriation patients: Skin Care QV Bath Oil, Hamilton’s Body Wash, Sorbolene and Glycerine Cream, Calmurid Cream, Pinetarsol Solution. Hair Care Sebitar Shampoo, Sebi Rinse Conditioner, Nizoral Shampoo, Selsun. Sun Care Hamilton’s 15+ Cream, Lotion, and Solarstick, Ego Sun Sense 30+, Aquasun. Oral Hygiene Savacol Mouth Wash, Aquae Spray for Dry mouth. Cough Mixtures Senagar & Ammonia, Durotoss. Allergies Telfast, Claratyne, Zyrtec, Phenergan, Drixine Nasal Spray, Beconase Nasal Spray, Rhincort Nasal Spray, Sudafed, Demazin Tablets. Fibre Supplements & Laxatives Nucolox, Normacol, Metamucil, Coloxyl with Senna, Senokot, Glycerine Suppositories. Dressings Micropore Tape, Cutifilm Plus Waterproof Dressings, Handy Bandages, Cotton Wool, Betadine Antiseptic, Solugels, Barrier Creams, Disposable Gloves, Prantal Powder. Anitfungal Agents Lamasil Cream, Cansten Cream, Loceryl Nail Paint. Haemorroidal Treatments Proctocedyl Ointment & Suppositories, Anusol. Ear Preparations Ear Clear for Wax, Waxsol, Ceremol Ear Drops. Vitamins & Minerals Calcium (Cal sup tablets, Caltrate), Vitamin B1 (Betamin), Magnesium Tablets (Mag‑Min), Accomin Liquid Tonic. Joint Pain & Arthritis Metsal Cream or Liniment Sexual Health Viagra, Cilais, Caverject. Pain Aspirins Cartia, Astrix Capsules, Cardiprin, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen. Weight Loss Optifast, Xenical. Various Nicorette Patches (Quit Smoking), Vermox (Worms), Ural Sachets (Urinary Alkalinizer). * Always check with your GP, as this list changes from time to time. You could have been paying full price for any of these items without realizing you could have them on prescription. Remember, after your 56 prescriptions p.a., your prescriptions are free.
VETERANS WARNED OF POTENTIAL SCAMS Veterans have been targeted by scam-artists claiming to represent the Australian Government, Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Mr Ian Campbell said today. Mr Campbell said the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) had been made aware of several approaches to members of the veteran community asking for personal information in exchange for new government services such as free electricity or pension benefits. In some cases these people posed as officers from DVA. "These ‘offers’ are false and my Department is investigating these incidents," he said. "Veterans in Queensland and Victoria have been most recently targeted however veterans across the country should be aware of the potential scams. "I urge the veteran community to exercise caution when asked to release personal details.
"It is disappointing that our veterans are being targeted by these cowardly scams and I encourage members of the veteran community to contact DVA if they have any concerns," Mr Campbell said. The Government’s Scamwatch website – www.scamwatch.gov.au – contains useful information on how to protect your privacy.
ACT Policing Media Release - Conmen use scams to target elderly ACT Policing is encouraging elderly community members to be vigilant about their personal and home safety after reports of conmen using various scams to gain entry to homes. ACT Policing have received numerous reports recently of suspicious behaviour in Canberra’s inner city suburbs. The reports are of males offering to fix the residents plumbing or paint house numbers on the driveways for an amount of money. In some instances the males pretend to be working with police and show documents with police insignia. The victims targeted are elderly. In the first situation the offender will claim to be a plumber, stating that due to recent rain the plumbing requires checking. The offender will enter, check the toilet by flushing it and informing the elderly resident that there is a problem and they can fix it for an amount of money. Once the money has been handed over the offender leaves the residence without carrying out any work. The second situation is a male offering to paint house numbers on the curb of driveways. The offender advises the victim that he has ‘special’ paint that will not fade over time, even when the victim already has painted house numbers. A price is agreed upon however if more money is given the offender claims to have no change or increases the price if more than one number is painted. The third situation is a male pretending to be working with police to gain entry to the residence. The offender is in plain clothes, carrying a folder with paperwork which has a police insignia on it, claiming he requires a signature from the victim. Upon entry the offender may assault the victim before leaving with a sum of money. Superintendent Kylie Flower from ACT Policing Crime Prevention team said there are some home safety precautions the elderly can take to minimise this happening to them. “Do not let a person you do not know into your home,” Superintendent Flower said. “Talk with them through the security screen door or open the door with the security chain still engaged. If you are expecting a service repairman or similar, check their identification. If in doubt, call their head office to verify their details. Use the number out of the phone book and not a phone number they provide to you. If the person is claiming to be a police officer then ask to see identification. If you are unsure, then call Police Operations on 131 444”. “If a person does illegally enter your home, comply with them if they ask for your wallet or handbag. If you think a neighbour or passerby will hear then shout or yell and consider carrying a personal alarm. Take note of the offender’s appearance; clothing, features, vehicle, registration, direction of travel and anything you consider may assist police, although do not put yourself in danger to get this information”. “The most important thing to remember is that if something should happen to you, such as a robbery or attack, don’t be embarrassed. It’s important that you tell someone who can help you as soon as possible”, Supt Flower added. ACT Policing has recently launched its revised ‘Home and Safety Booklet’. This new booklet provides community members with important safety information, including how to effectively secure your home, what to do when going away on holiday and how to protect your personal safety while out in public. Copies of the booklet can be obtained online at www.police.act.gov.au Anyone who observes suspicious activity in their neighborhood should contact ACT Policing Operations on 131 444 or for further tips on home security, visit the ACT Policing website at www.police.act.gov.au
Scammer MailSeveral incidents have been reported to DVA in which members of the veteran community have been approached via mail or telephone by individuals claiming to be from private These approaches are false and I feel it is timely to remind members of the veteran community to exercise caution when releasing their personal information. We are not aware of any monetary loss to veterans as a result of these incidents at this stage but I ask you to urge your members to be careful about releasing personal information. Veterans, war widows or widowers are encouraged to contact DVA if they have any concerns or if they feel they have been targeted by a scam. The Department can be contacted on 133 254 (for metropolitan callers) or 1800 555 254 (for non-metropolitan callers). The Government's Scamwatch website - www.scamwatch.gov.au - contains useful information to help you be aware of potential scams that regularly circulate around our communities, and how to protect private information.
National Certificates of AppreciationCertificates of Appreciation are a way of expressing the nation’s thanks to those who have made a contribution towards Australia’s efforts in war, conflicts and peace operations. The contributions can be as a civilian or as a member of the armed forces. For the Second World War, the contribution may have been in Australia or overseas. For all other conflicts the contribution must have been given overseas in the country in which the conflict occurred. Certificates are available for service in:
A person who made a contribution, either in the Defence forces or as a civilian, may request a certificate in respect of his or her service, or a family member or friend may nominate a person. Next of kin may nominate a deceased family member. Certificates of Appreciation are not available for service in the Boer War or the First World War. Persons who served in the Defence Reserve Forces or National Service may apply for a Certificate of Appreciation provided that they served in a war or conflict for which a certificate is available. Application forms should be completed and forwarded, with supporting evidence of service, to the electorate office of the applicant’s Federal Member
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Sub-Branch E-News - January 2012 |
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