Our Patron
Commander 3rd Brigade, Brigadier David McCammon DSM and Bar
Homebase for the Veteran Community in Townsville
1 Staging Camp Ave, Oonoonba. Drop-in M-F 0900-1500, after hours upon booking
All closed on W/E and public holidays, unless booked.
[for GPS apps you may have better luck with 20 Darter Street, Oonoonba until actual is recognised on all platforms]
Townsville Military Advocacy
Community of Practice
Townsville Military Advocacy Community of Practice ‘Walk Up’ and Information Day
​
On Wednesday 25th September 2024, the Townsville Military Advocacy Community of Practice (CoP) will hold a ‘Walk Up’ and Information Day at the Oasis.
​
Link to Event at The Oasis Townsville
​
What is the CoP?
The CoP supports and assists advocates through their learning pathway with the DVA endorsed and funded Advocacy Training and Development Program (ATDP). We do this by creating a friendly and non-judgmental environment in which all advocates regardless of their experience can learn and develop their skills and ability.
The CoP is under pinned by the Thuringowa RSL Sub Branch but is open to all advocates regardless of their affiliation. The CoP is completely a volunteer group staffed by ATDP Qualified Advocates with various levels of qualification and experience. Our mission is to grow both compensation and wellbeing advocates to support the local veteran community into the future.
​
I need assistance engaging with DVA?
The CoP guiding principle is to better enable our veterans to 'help themselves'. If you need help with understanding the claims process, submitting a claim, submitting an appeal or setting up and understanding how to use ‘MyService’ then turn up on the day. We will have a group of qualified and experienced advocates on standby to answer your questions and help you through the process. Why pay for advocacy assistance or wait months for an appointment with an advocate. We will show you and enable you to do it yourself with confidence and support. Bring your laptop or device and be prepared to ‘log in’ to your account or if you don’t have one, we can assist you to get set up. Not good with technology, no problem we can still help.
​
I am thinking about becoming an Advocate, how do I get started?
We can provide information about how to get started. We will have several qualified and experienced advocates to answer your questions. Becoming a volunteer advocate in the community is extremely rewarding and we can help you get started and support you on your journey.
You can find out more about the Advocacy Training and Development Program at: https://www.dva.gov.au/get-support/advocates-organisations/advocacy-training-and-development/advocacy-training-and-development-program
​
Need more Information
The information day will be held at Oasis (Hut 6) in two sessions, afternoon (1pm-5pm) and evening (6pm-8pm). You don’t need to attend the whole session, these are two windows of opportunity to engage for as long as you need. There is no formal presentation, simply turn up and we will help you for as long as you need! The event is to be promoted through various means over the coming weeks. In particular, look out for further information on the Oasis and Thuringowa RSL Facebook pages. No need to book, but if you get a chance respond to the expression of interest on the Oasis facebook page. If this is well supported, we will look to hold further sessions into the future.
​
Contact the CoP
If you need information about the ‘Walk Up’ and Information Day, you can also contact the CoP directly on 0467 166 925 or email townsvillecop@gmail.com
New Harmonised Veterans Legislation
This is a marked-up copy of the MRCA, intended to become the new veterans legislation, harmonising the three acts.
​
It is provided courtesy of the RAR Corporation National Advisory Advocate Clem Russell, OAM.
​
In the document, the following is how to interpret the changes:
-
Black type ruled through is the deleted MRCA legislation as it stood.
-
Black type is the retained MRCA legislation.
-
Red type is the updated legislation as carried forward from the DRCA and VEA.