Media Releases

Recent DVA Media Releases

February 2023
Operation Digger – Archaeology and Veteran Wellbeing 27/02/2023
DVA TV Looks at the Veteran Photo Exhibition Point & Shoot27/02/2023
Robina Services are Relocating27/02/2023
Activities Pick Up for Kookaburra Kids Defence Kids Program24/02/2023
Free 12-Month Health and Fitness Program From the Heart Health Program24/02/2023
Sleep – We Can’t Function Without It23/02/2023
Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards – Nominations Open Soon22/02/2023
No Changes to Fully Funded Mental Health Treatment for Veterans22/02/2023
Have Your Say on Relationship Education Programs21/02/2023
Do You Provide Care or Support to a Veteran?21/02/2023
Continuing to Serve – APS Veteran Employment Pathway Pilot Completed20/02/2023
Anzac Field of Remembrance the Symbol of Self-Sacrifice20/02/2023
Bombing of Darwin Day19/02/2023
Accessing Evidence-Based Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder17/02/2023
Where to Get Help if You’re at Risk of Homelessness17/02/2023
Fire Safety FAQs and Tips to Keep You and Your Home Safe16/02/2023
Veterans’ Legislation Reform Consultation Pathway Commences16/02/2023
Brothers in Arms15/02/2023
Untold Stories of Australian Sailors and Airmen Revealed15/02/2023
Ask Your GP to Check You for Aortic Stenosis14/02/2023
AWWQ’s Maureen Rush Awarded Order of Australia Medal13/02/2023
New Toolkit to Improve Understanding for Veteran Homelessness13/02/2023
Veterans in Adelaide Go Around the Buoy13/02/2023
For Each a Road Exhibition08/02/2023
Prince’s Trust Australia – Accelerator Program and Award08/02/2023
Changes at the Helm of Australian War Widows Inc07/02/2023
VESPA Parabiathlon – Helping Veterans Find Purpose Through Sport07/02/2023
Have Your say in Remake of DRCA Permanent Impairment Guide07/02/2023
Make a Difference by Joining the Defence Families of Australia Team03/02/2023
Jack Tar Ceremony for HMAS Voyager01/02/2023
January 2023 
55th Anniversary of the Tet Offensive 30/01/2023
Have Your Say on DVAs Mental Health and Wellbeing Services 30/01/2023
Reporting the Death of a Veteran or DVA Client 25/01/2023
Building Excellence in Support and Training 2023-24 Grants Now Open 18/01/2023
Organisation to Develop Southeast Queensland Veterans’ and Families’ Hub Announced 17/01/2023
North-West Tasmania Veteran Welfare Board to Lead the Burnie Veterans’ and Families’ Hub16/01/2023
Learn about Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling 11/01/2023
Learn About Veteran Support Officers 10/01/2023
Supporting Veterans to Downsize Their Homes 06/01/2023
Government Support for People Directly Affected By Flood 05/01/2023
Introduction of the Workforce Incentive 04/01/2023
Increase to Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Payments 03/01/2023

To see any of the above media releases visit the latest stories.

DVA TV Looks at the Veteran Photo Exhibition Point & Shoot

27 February 2023

Veteran Mark Direen is behind an annual veteran photography exhibition called Point & Shoot.

Showcasing career imagery and accompanying stories from Australian veterans, this exhibition provides a rare glimpse into the life and experiences of fellow Australians who have served their country.

Covering military service from post the Second World War onwards, Point & Shoot commemorates a range of modern conflicts, peace operations and service. In 2022, the exhibition featured 60 veteran images taken within Australia or on overseas operations, with all images cleared by Defence media and approved for public display.

The purpose of the exhibition is not to display perfectly captured photos from professional photographers. Rather, it’s to share some of those moments frozen in time that those who serve our nation thought were worth remembering. 

Mark served in the Army for 16 years, ten of them in the Special Air Service Regiment. His interest in photography arose when he undertook photographic reconnaissance work. 

‘When the situation allowed, I’d quite often find myself capturing a photo, just to remember the moment,’ he says in DVA TV’s latest video. ‘Later, I’d reflect on the photos and the stories that sat behind them. And I thought, I bet other veterans have photos from their deployments. I’d love to see them, I’d love to hear their stories, and I’d love to share them.’

‘I think it’s fantastic,’ says Repatriation Commissioner Don Spinks AM. ‘The opportunity to come together, to remember and talk through stories. They have similar lived experience and it’s really important for veterans to join in activities like this.’

‘I would encourage any veteran to consider submitting their photos,’ says DVA acting Deputy Secretary Stuart Smith AO DSC. ‘You might not at first think the story behind the image is worth telling, or that it’s commonplace, but the fact is that if that photo was taken on active service, there’s almost definitely something remarkable about it.

‘The exhibition was supported by a Saluting Their Service grant provided by DVA, which seeks to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage and highlight the service and sacrifice of Australia’s servicemen and women.’

Point & Shoot is open to all Australian veterans. An Australian veteran is defined as a person who has served in the Australian Defence Force for at least one day in either a regular or reserve capacity.

This event also encourages the commemoration of veterans no longer here. We invite families to share the experiences of their loved ones unable to tell and share their own stories.

Submissions for 2023 will open soon.You can find more information on the Point and Shoot website