Anzac Day 2026
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
Historic Fleet Review Launches Exercise Kakadu in Sydney Harbour
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
Nowra Branch Visit – Community, Recognition and Future Planning
This week, Board Member Phil Hurren, TPI NSW CEO Jenny Jane Carpenter, and Wellbeing Facilitator Vanessa Campbell (Sydney Office) travelled to Nowra to meet with members of the TPI Veterans NSW Nowra Social and Welfare Club.
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
Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin Remembered
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
Celebrate International Women’s Day with Women in Defence
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
📣 TPI Veterans NSW – Nowra Social & Welfare Club Meeting
📣 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
Lithgow Small Arms Factory Heritage Review
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.
The Battle of Beersheba 1917
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AuxRJHLVC/
A Message from CEO Jenny-Jane Carpenter
On 10 February 2026 I spent the day with members from the Blacktown Social & Welfare Club. It was a fun day, beautiful weather and great lunch. Also, a perfect opportunity to meet the members on a very personal basis. The main intention of my attendance at this gathering was to introduce members to our new Wellbeing Facilitator, Vanessa Campbell and for me to explain the changes being made to the Constitution to allow a broader membership. Vanessa was a hit with everyone and won first prize for her multi coloured dress, which can be viewed in the second photo below.
Details of the event: The Clubs BBQ Tuesday 10th February. Morning tea at 10:00am, Lunch at 12:00noon. Location: Plough & Harrow Park, Western Sydney Parkland, Elizabeth Drive, Abbotsbury. Colour: Multi
Message from DVA – 75 years on, we honour the service of all National Servicemen
Message from DVA – 75 years on, we honour the service of all National Servicemen
On 14 February 2026, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will commemorate and honour National Servicemen with a national commemorative service in the Great Hall at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra.This year marks the 75th anniversary of the commencement of national service during the Cold War.
This National Servicemen’s Day we remember the sacrifices made by the more than 280,000 Australians who were called up for national service during the two schemes, the National Service Training Scheme (1951-59) and the National Service Scheme (1965-72).
For more information about this event, including accessibility and transport options, and to register your attendance, please visit dva.gov.au/Nashos75
For all national servicemen, compulsory military service was a major interruption to their young lives, one over which they had no control. As we remember their service and sacrifices, we invite members of the community to submit a personal tribute on DVA’s Wall of Remembrance. The ‘Wall’ is a living, evolving, community-led tribute for all Australians to share a reflection or memory of a loved one connected to the Australian Defence Force. Submitting a tribute is simple and can be completed on your phone. Simply fill out the online submission form, upload a short reflection and attach an accompanying photo. More information about submitting a tribute is available on DVA’s website.
We encourage stakeholders to share details of this national commemorative service with members of the veteran community and encourage community members to support and honour national servicemen by publishing a tribute on the Wall of Remembrance.
The Wandering Soul
During the Vietnam War, there were many nights the Vietnamese people could have sworn they heard a ghost. But what they were hearing was a U.S. government weapon: the cassette tape.
Study Tour Opportunity
The Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship gives NSW Year 10 and 11 History students the opportunity to travel on a study tour to develop their knowledge and understanding of the history of Australians at war. Find out more here.
https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/education/premiers-anzac-memorial-scholarship
A Message from TPI NSW CEO Jenny-Jane Carpenter
