ON THE eve of Anzac Day services, the State Government has announced a new 10-member Veterans Advisory Council to provide input on issues relating to veterans.
“It will be an essential forum for the Government to hear directly from veterans on issues the State Government can address and help resolve,” Veterans Minister Joe Francis said.
Members include former members of all three services from officer and other ranks, plus representatives of veterans’ associations and ex-service organisations.
The council will meet quarterly, beginning in June.
They have considerable operational service, ranging from World War Two through to the Vietnam War and more recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Members include:
Chairperson Max Ball, an Army officer who served in Vietnam
Brendan Maxwell, an Army officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan
Shane Moyle, a former RSM who deployed to East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan
Frank Sear, served in the SASR and now an executive in human resources
Jack Le Cras, World War Two veteran and president of the Naval Association of WA
Phil Smith, State and national president of the Far East Strategic Reserve Navy Association
Lesley Westlake, State president, Partners of Veterans Association of Australia
Kevin Trent, foundation secretary of the Royal Australian Regiment Association
Graham Bland, president of the WA RAAF Association
John Ryan, former national president of the Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women.
Mr Francis said the council would provide advice relating to health, ageing and welfare to ensure the needs of ex-servicemen and women were met.