As we approach Christmas 2013 we can look back on a year of hard work and progress with satisfaction, and in the knowledge that there is much yet to do. My wife Jane and I have been travelling almost non-stop this year, through every state and territory, talking to veterans and their families, fund-raising, lobbying for support, and trying to better inform decision-makers and the media and on the vital issue of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I am proud to say that I think we have helped a number of people by speaking out. Knowledge and understanding can do so much to dispel doubt or anxiety, and I have been uplifted by the positive feedback on our efforts from so many veterans and their loved ones. Of course, there are many others working just as hard and I warmly congratulate the whole AFOM team for their continued dedication and efforts. I trust that you will all enjoy the Christmas season with family and friends, and return refreshed and ready for even greater advances in 2014. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

John Cantwell

AFOM Patron

A Christmas message from AFOM Ambassador Frank Benfield.

Gail MacDonell, OAM, has established an organisation to facilitate research and education into the community of military families. Properly known as “The Australian Families of the Military Research Foundation” or AFOM, it has grown out of Gail’s dedicated work over a period of more than 15 years. AFOM is a gem; so special it deserves to attract broad community support, not least because its first aim is to enable research and education into the field of military families. This aim has special relevance this Christmas as Australia’s commitment to the Global War on Terror is reduced and thousands of veterans strive to adjust to life during peacetime at home with their families and in the ADF.

A Christmas Greeting from (Little) Pattie Amphlett, AFOM Ambassador. I am proud to be an Ambassador for AFOM.

May I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a safe, healthy, happy New Year.  Sadly, for some Veterans and their families, Christmas and New Year  isn't all it should be.   Let's not forget them.  Enjoy all the Christmas trimmings, but most of all, enjoy the company  of your precious families!  Thinking of you,  Warm wishes and love,  (Little) Pattie Amphlett.

AFOM Director Graham Walker accepts a cheque from Callum Murphy CSM of Gallipoli Company.

The money was raised by Gallipoli Company, Royal Military College, Duntroon from one hair shaving event and one raffle.

Callum graduates on December 10th and goes to 2RAR in Townsville.

Overview of Gallipoli Company past and present

Gallipoli Company

Gallipoli Company was named after the battle of Gallipoli which took place on 25^th April 1915. It occurred on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey and was the scene of the landings by Australian, New Zealand and British forces. It was during this campaign that the tradition of the ANZAC began.

Dear Viewers,

How can we best prevent that awful statistic from repeating itself; that statistic from the Vietnam war that the children of Vietnam veterans have had a 300% higher suicide rate that their peers in the general community?

Fatigue Cause No. 1: Not Enough Sleep

It may seem obvious but you could be getting too little sleep. That can negatively affect your concentration and health. Adults should get seven to eight hours every night. 

Fix: Make sleep a priority and keep a regular schedule. Ban laptops, cell phones, and televisions from your bedroom. Still having trouble? Seek help from a doctor. You may have a sleep disorder

The Australian Korean War veterans’ Health Study was designed to complement the recently com pleted Australian Korean War veterans’ Mortality and Cancer Incidence Studies. Together, these three studies constitute a major study program of health in this Australian veteran population. This study program represents one of the most comprehensive investigations of health in an entire veteran group ever conducted internationally.

In December 2002 the Hon. Danna Vale, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, established the Expert Panel to identify and document exposures of concern arising through Special Air Services (SAS) operational skills enhancement and training and to examine their possible adverse health effects. The Expert Panel was also asked to consider the need for further research and whether any particular matters should be drawn to the attention of the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA).

Executive Summary

Study initiation

A key recommendation of the 1997 Mortality of Vietnam Veterans: The Veteran Cohort Study was to monitor the mortality of Vietnam veterans and repeat the study after 2000.  In 2002, the then Minister for Veterans’ Affairs agreed that the Repatriation Commission should undertake the Third Vietnam Veterans Mortality Study and Cancer Incidence in Vietnam Veterans Study.  The Commission asked the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) to conduct these studies which were undertaken with assistance from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).