A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN VETERANS AND DEFENCE SERVICES COUNCIL INC. "AVADSC"

The Council was formed in 1970, following a suggestion made to the then Federal President of the Royal Australian Air Force Association, Air Marshal Sir John McCauley. The Minister for Repatriation of that day, Mr Mac Holten MP, wrote to Sir John that he felt Australian ex-service organisations would do well to create a joint organisation to coordinate their representations to Government.

Sir John wrote to all National Presidents proposing such a crest organisation and a number agreed. With the (then) name of the Australian Services Council, a Constitution was agreed, giving each Member Association, irrespective of size, two Council Members. It provided for an independent Chairman, not representing any one Association, and an Honorary Secretary. Sir John McCauley was the first Chairman, being succeeded by Lieut. General Sir Mervyn Brogan and he, after six years, by Rear Admiral Guy Griffiths for the following 23 years. The current President is Rear Admiral Ian Crawford. From the inception until 2003 the Hon Secretary was Mr Peter Alexander. The current Hon Secretary is Mr Colin Doust. The RAAF Association National Council has provided the administrative facilities at little or no cost to the Council from inception.

Membership has continued to grow as more Associations have observed and approved the Council's work. There are now some 40 Member Associations and other applications are pending. The RSL originally sent an Observer, but does not now do so. Membership eligibility is that each Association operates on the National level or at least in two states.

AVADSC (the name was changed some years ago) played a very major and energetic role during campaigns in the last few years to preserve the historic Australian Repatriation System and it is certain that some of the changes obtained in the Veterans Entitlements Act would not have been obtained without AVADSC. AVADSC did not agree to the final form of the Bill which disadvantages the totally disabled and others and continues its campaign. It took an energetic part in the work of the VEA Monitoring Committee. It continues energetic involvement in such matters as Hospitals, preservation of a Department of Veterans' Affairs, defence of veterans' rights and Defence Forces Retirement Benefits, the updating of the Repatriation system to cater for ageing veterans and the extension of the Gold Card benefits. AVADSC has been very productive in the MCRA and MRCA over the past number of years.

It has State Advisory Councils in all States, operating on the State level.

AVADSC provides a forum for Member Associations when they want support, but in no way interferes with their conduct of their own affairs or their independence.

There are six Executive Members on the Council - President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer.

AVADSC National Council meets in Sydney once a month and, if necessary, more often with Special Meetings.

Each Member Association has the entitlement of two councillors and may bring along observers to any meeting.

The overall object boils down to discussion and action at any meetings on matters of veterans' affairs (including Allied Forces and Mariners), Repatriation and Defence Forces' benefits, among other matters.

AVADSC operates through a process of presenting issues at its monthly meetings or through its newsletter and determining action through consensus. It aims to achieve its objectives through the quality of its argument and the standing it enjoys and seeks to maintain with the government of the day. It would be reluctant to have recourse to aggressive media campaigns.

AVADSC does not voice any other views on e.g. politics, immigration, defence, etc.

In the years since its formation, AVADSC has continued to grow - with some 40 Member Associations of National and State activity - virtually all other than the RSL. Its National Council meets monthly in Sydney with consistently large attendances (each Member Association can send two councillors). It considers an Agenda of matters of current interest to veterans, serving members and war widows. It is regularly addressed by Senior Departmental and Political figures - Ministers for Veterans' Affairs, Defence and their Shadow Ministers.

By Constitution, it does not act to interfere with Member Associations "doing their own thing" but generally most bring their proposals to AVADSC. Consensus is normal and votes occur rarely. It has State Advisory Councils in all States to advise it on local views and to report its activities to State bodies. Each month a considerable volume of copies of letters and other documents is circulated to National and State Offices of Member Associations and to State Advisory Councils - as well as DVA at National and State levels.

Its officers are regularly consulted by DVA and serve on National and State Committees. The National President, Vice President and Secretary are members of various committees on veterans' issues.

AVADSC became incorporated in NSW on 28 January 2003.

AVADSC operates, at National level, from the RAAF Association National Council Office in Sydney.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Tel: (02) 9299 2830 Fax: (02) 9299 5570 Email: avadsc@bigpond.com PO Box Q314 QVB PO SYDNEY NSW 1230

1.9.04