During WWII the Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit was set up to intercept invaders. It was made up mostly of Aboriginal warriors, but six Solomon Islanders were also recruited to the unit. Read more here

Squadron Leader Donald Thomson training the NTSRU.

TPI Veterans NSW President Kevin Kelly and CEO Jenny-Jane Carpenter attended a dinner on 16 April 2026 at the Pro Patria Centre in Wagga Wagga – an innovative multidisciplinary facility focused on developing self-agency in veterans, first responders and their families to manage their own wellbeing. See https://www.propatria.com.au

Jenny-Jane has provided images from the event.

Courage & Compassion

From the wards of Randwick Repatriation Hospital in 1935 to the challenges of a global pandemic and beyond, this is the story of men and women who refused to be forgotten.

Born from the determination of disabled veterans of the First World War the Totally and Permanently Disabled Soldiers’ Association of NSW, later the TPI Association of NSW, emerged because wounded soldiers needed more than charity. They needed comradeship, dignity, and a collective voice. What began as a small band of veterans meeting in hospital grounds quickly grew into a statewide movement fighting for fair pensions, medical care for families, and recognition of sacrifice in a nation eager to move on from war.

Courage & Compassion was launched with inspiring and informative talks by author Allison O’Sullivan and Kevin Humphries DSC at the Hyde Park War memorial in Sydney on Tuesday 14 April. Highlights from these talks will be published in Salute.

RSVP wellbeing@tpinsw.org.au

RSVP
To reserve your seat click here
(This is a free event, but registration is required.)

Kyle Napoleoni
Founder &Creative Director
Mayen Media Australia
M: 0433 755 703
E: info@cayenmediaaustralia.com.au
W: cayenmediaaustralia.com.au

Good luck to the mighty GIANTS!

Canberra for Anzac weekend
GWS Giants v North Melbourne
Sun 26 Apr 2026 at 4:40 pm
Corroboree Group Oval, Manuka, ACT

As part of the 2022 TPI Veterans’ NSW Strategic Plan, the history book project was created to record and honour the proud legacy of our Association. Next week, that vision comes to life with the launch of Courage and Compassion: The History of the TPI Veterans’ Association of NSW 1935–2025, authored by Allison O’Sullivan and championed by Board Member John Hoban.

Today, we were delighted to welcome Allison to the office to sign copies for our special guests attending the launch. Member copies will be sent by post next month.

More than 600 commemorative events will take place across NSW on Anzac Day in 2026. This year Anzac Day, April 25, falls on a Saturday and NSW will join Western Australia and the ACT in observing a public holiday the following Monday, 27 April. Details of commemorative events for Anzac Day in the Sydney CBD and across NSW can be found at: https://rslnsw.org.au/commemorations-ceremonies-and-events-portal/anzac-day-at-a-glance/

Photograph: Able Seaman Musician Matthew Tubman sounds the Last Post during a Pre-Anzac Day Dawn Service held at Joint Logistics Unit – East in Moorebank, New South Wales. Maker: LSIS Daniel Goodman, Defence

https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2026-03-21/historic-fleet-review-launches-exercise-kakadu-sydney-harbour

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO, RAN, arrives to HMAS Canberra for the Exercise Kakadu Official Reception in Sydney, NSW. Photographer: ABIS Taylor Johnson, Defence

While in Nowra, Jenny Jane had the pleasure of presenting a certificate of recognition to TPI member Leanne Wehmeier, acknowledging her outstanding contribution to growing both the local club and broader organisation membership. The Nowra Club and TPI Head Office greatly appreciate Leanne’s dedication and efforts toward this important goal.

Phil was also on hand to talk members through the recommended updates to the TPI Veterans NSW Constitution, along with plans focused on ensuring long term growth, stability, and sustainability of the organisation’s support network into the future.

As always, the Nowra Social Club was welcoming. Together, we enjoyed a sausage sizzle and a chance to catch up with both long standing and new members in a relaxed and friendly setting.
Thanks Nowra – we look forward to returning soon.

Kind regards,
Vanessa Campbell
Wellbeing Facilitator

Colonel Judd Finger, left, Captain Bernadette Alexander and Wing Commander Rowan Paice, lay wreaths and tributes during the USS Peary commemorative service in Darwin, NT. Photos: Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2026-03-11/anniversary-bombing-darwin-remembered

Join the NSW Women in Defence Association (WiDA) Thursday 26 March 2026 at the AECOM Event Space to celebrate International Women’s Day.

https://www.womenindefenceassociation.org/event-details-registration/nsw-international-womens-day

https://www.defence.gov.au/defence-activities/programs-initiatives/gender-peace-security-defence

Image courtesy Defence Media

Register at https://youthmusicventure.com.au/veterans-music-venture/

📣 TPI Veterans NSW – Nowra Social & Welfare Club Meeting
🗓 Tuesday, 17 March • ⏰ 11.30am
📍 1st Floor, 124 Wallace Street, Nowra

A message from TPI Veterans NSW CEO Jenny-Jane Carpenter about the upcoming Nowra Social & Welfare Club Meeting

Board member Phil Hurren, Wellbeing Facilitator Vanessa Campbell, and I are looking forward to joining the TPI Nowra Social & Welfare Club for their next meeting, and we would love to see as many local members there as possible.

After the meeting, the Club’s Social Organiser has kindly arranged a sausage sizzle lunch, so please stay, relax, and enjoy some good food and great company.

These gatherings are a fantastic way to stay connected, share ideas, and strengthen our community. Please let us know if you are interested in joining at: wellbeing@tpinsw.org.au

Warm regards,

Jenny-Jane Carpenter, CEO

https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2026-03-05/proud-progress-women-defencehttps://www.defence.gov.au/…/proud-progress-women-defence

NSW Independent Planning Commission is in review to update the State Heritage Register to include the Lithgow small arms factory. If you have any interest in this project, now would be a good opportunity to make comment. Make a submission at: https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/submissions-received-email

Submissions close on 12 March at 23:59.

Image: “Sir Frederick Stewart watches as women munitions employees at the Small Arms Factory carry out a final check of boxes of .303 cartridges.” 16 May 1940. Maker: Edward Lefevre (Ted) Cranstone. AWM 001902.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AuxRJHLVC/

Northern Beaches Allied Health & Wellbeing Expo