Latest News
DRA 2023 National Conference

BOOKINGS ARE CLOSED FOR IN PERSON REGISTRATIONS
BUT REGISTRATIONS ARE STILL OPEN FOR ON-LINE ACCESS
For the 2023 DRA National Conference being held on Saturday 19th August 2023
"What the Defence Strategic Review means for the ADF’s Reserves"
being held at the United Service Club Queensland, 183 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill QLD 4000.
The traditional and convivial All Ranks dinner will be held following the daytime sessions.
Details of the Speakers and Program are now available.
ESORT Update - May 2023

ESORT communique which summarises the outcomes of the 9 May ESORT Meeting, attended by the DRA representative.
Defence Reservists Deserve Non-Liability Health Care

The Defence Reserves Association (DRA), the Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA), and the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL), have written a joint letter to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh, seeking his support for the extension of health care to all those serving in the reserve forces.
DVA Information Access Unit

The Information Access Unit has been established within DVA, to serve as a single point of contact and source of advice to applicants seeking information.
Veterans' Employment Awards 2023

Nominations now open!
Nominations are now open for the 2023 Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards.
The annual awards recognise the achievements of Australian organisations that actively recruit, employ and support veterans and their partners, and are creating workplaces where they can thrive. The Awards also provide the opportunity to commend individual employees and entrepreneurs who are using their Australian Defence Force-related experiences to succeed within the civilian workforce.
Newsletter – Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicides

The latest newsletter - Edition 15 - 7 March 2022
2023 Chief of Air Force Symposium on 27 February 2023

Concurrent with the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, the Chief of Air Force conducts a symposium to address a topical aspect of air power.
DRA 2022 National Conference Presentations

DRA 2022 National Conference - Presentations
"Calling out the ADF Reserves - the need for balance and future sustainability"
After two years of operating online DRA Victoria welcomed back our colleagues both local and
interstate at the Hyatt Hotel Essendon Fields. There was an live online link for those who could not attend in person.
Newsletters from the Western Australia Branch

The July 2023 Western Australia branch newsletter is now on line.
DRA Submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicides

A message to everyone in the Defence and Veteran communities
The DRA considers that it is important for the Royal Commission, in examining the systemic issues affecting the mental health of Reservists, to understand the differences between Reservists and permanent members of the ADF in terms of their obligation to serve and their conditions of service; and the different types of Defence Reservists. There are different service categories across the spectrum of Reserve service that forms the Total Workforce System (TWS) in Defence.
Update – Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicides

A message to everyone in the Defence and Veteran communities
My name is Nick Kaldas and I am the Chair of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
I am writing to you to let you know who we are at the Royal Commission and what we hope to achieve as we deliver on the very important task that we have been set.
Defence Legislation Amendment (Discipline Reform) Bill 2021

A recent review of the ADF’s discipline system found that the current summary discipline system is overly complex, difficult to use, unresponsive and characterised by excessive delay because of its complexity.
A Bill to reform the ADF’s military discipline system was introduced into Parliament on 12 August 2021.
2021 National Conference Outcomes

What would the Government demand from the Reserves in preparing for war; how this would be achieved by the ADF; where the ADF might employ the Reserves; and when the Reserves are likely to be mobilised / deployed?
Newsletters from the Victorian Branch

The June 2023 Victorian branch newsletter is now on line.
Terms of Reference – Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicides

The Defence Reserves Association (DRA), which is a joint organisation, is the only advocacy group specifically representing Defence Reservists and our position is that the Australian Government needs to take appropriate measures to enhance the health and wellbeing of all Reservists.
As such the DRA considers that the Terms of Reference of the proposed Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicides should be broadened to include Reservists who have had lengthy periods of service in the ADF, but have not been required or given an opportunity to undertake any period of permanent service (which would have entitled them to apply for a White Card).
Changes to Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001

The amendments to the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 came into effect on 27 Nov 2017.
The changes to the Act relate to the following areas:
- Protection against discrimination
- Employment protection
- Partnership protection
- Education protection
- Financial liability and bankruptcy protection
- Enforcement of the Act and remedies that are available.

Veterans’ Covenant, The Veteran Card, Lapel Pin and ADF Reserves

With some limited exceptions, a different Lapel Pin, but no Veteran Card is being provided by DVA to ADF Reservists who have not had a period of full-time service.
The decision to introduce a Lapel Pin and Veteran Card, including a different Lapel Pin and no Veteran Card to ADF Reservists who had no period of full-time service, was taken without the considered consultation such a decision warrants. At no time was the DRA consulted or asked for an opinion on this matter.
DVA focus on the Welfare of Special Forces members impacted by Afghanistan Inquiry

DVA sends a letter to the DRA outlining the support they are providing to any veterans or their family members who may be concerned or impacted by the Afghanistan Inquiry or its findings.
What's New
DRA 2023 National Conference

BOOKINGS ARE CLOSED FOR IN PERSON REGISTRATIONS
BUT REGISTRATIONS ARE STILL OPEN FOR ON-LINE ACCESS
For the 2023 DRA National Conference being held on Saturday 19th August 2023
"What the Defence Strategic Review means for the ADF’s Reserves"
being held at the United Service Club Queensland, 183 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill QLD 4000.
The traditional and convivial All Ranks dinner will be held following the daytime sessions.
Details of the Speakers and Program are now available.
Veterans' Employment Awards 2023

Nominations now open!
Nominations are now open for the 2023 Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards.
The annual awards recognise the achievements of Australian organisations that actively recruit, employ and support veterans and their partners, and are creating workplaces where they can thrive. The Awards also provide the opportunity to commend individual employees and entrepreneurs who are using their Australian Defence Force-related experiences to succeed within the civilian workforce.
Defence Reservists Deserve Non-Liability Health Care

The Defence Reserves Association (DRA), the Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA), and the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL), have written a joint letter to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh, seeking his support for the extension of health care to all those serving in the reserve forces.
Latest Victorian Branch Newsletter

The January 2022 Victorian branch newsletter is now on line- it includes:
- The President's Message.
- Victorian Reservists recognised in the Australia Day Honours List.
- Advice from DVA regarding free Rapid Antigen Tests.
- Call for nominations for the Employer Support Awards 2022.
2021 National Conference Outcomes

What would the Government demand from the Reserves in preparing for war; how this would be achieved by the ADF; where the ADF might employ the Reserves; and when the Reserves are likely to be mobilised / deployed?
Royal Commission

The DRA considers that the Terms of Reference of the proposed Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicides should be broadened.
Remembering Them

A new free App and website - "Remembering Them" now offers a comprehensive record of Australia’s war heritage sites available to all Australians at the click of a button.
Sponsors

You can sponsor the DRA in many forms: financially or through "in kind" services. For sponsorship enquiries use the Contact Form here and select "Sponsor the DRA" as the nature of the enquiry.

Big Sky Publishing is an Australian owned, independent publisher specialising in producing high quality non-fiction books in areas including Military History, History and Autobiographies by Australian authors. They have an extensive Australian Military History book catalogue and also have published a number of books produced by the Australian Army History Unit. Big Sky Publishing support the DRA with a book prizes for articles published in the DRA journal which have a historical theme.

Ontime Publications publish a number of magazines and journals for various organisations including a number of Defence Associations. They support the DRA by publishing the DRA Journal - "The Australian Reservist" which is produced biannually. The generation of advertising revenue offsets the cost of printing an enables the DRA to produce a high quality magazine.

The Pratt Foundation supported the Defence Reserves Association with a generous grant to enable the establishment of the DRA's original online presence.

Telstra generously provided a grant to develop the Defence Reserves Association's original website.