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The Submarines Association Australia has a group of DVA trained Pensions and Welfare Officers  to provide submariners (ex and serving) with free assistance in welfare and compensation matters.

The claims process, although it may appear simple, has many pitfalls and many a claim is rejected on technicalities.  It is important that you seek advice when considering a claim, there is a saying in legal circles; the person that represents has a fool as his lawyer.  Play safe, consult an advocate BEFORE applying for entitlements.

There is always a need for more trained advocates and you are requested to consider volunteering for this important task. Contact your local DVA Office and sign up for one of the following courses:

Training Information Program (TIP)

The Training Information Program (TIP) was established by the Department of Veterans Affairs in conjunction with Ex-Service Organisations in 1993/94, to provide resources for the training of Welfare and Pensions Officers and Advocates of ex-service organisations (ESOs).

The TIP Consultative Committees seek to ensure people who are officially serving as Pension and Welfare Officers have the opportunity to take part in courses and thus acquire the information they need to properly perform these vital roles. 

Welfare Officer Course: Designed to assist existing or potential Welfare Officers with information on the range of services and programs available to the veteran community. This course has a strong emphasis on health and community services available.

Pension Officer Course: (TIP Level 1)
Designed for people advising members of the veteran community on financial compensation and income support issues, eg, filling in pension claim forms.

Case Manager Course: (TIP Level 2)
Designed to assist those Pension Officers needing deeper understanding of compensation issues. This course is particularly beneficial for those people advising veterans and widows on their appeal rights. Participants must have completed the Pension Officer Course before enrolling in this course.

Advocate Course: (TIP Level 3)
This course is offered to those people who represent veterans and widows at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal AAT). It requires a detailed knowledge of all compensation matters and participants are generally expected to have completed the Pension Officer and Case Manager courses. Are you interested in becoming a pension/Welfare officer? If so contact the National Coordinator.

Veterans’ Indemnity and Training Association Inc (VITA)

The Association is a member of Veterans’ Indemnity and Training Association Inc (VITA).  The objectives of VITA are to provide member organisations with adequate professional indemnity insurance cover and to promote the professional standards and training of practitioners.

This objective is pursued through the Training and Information Program which is a partnership between Ex-Service Organisations and the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

As a member of VITA it is incumbent on us to work within the frame work of the Operational Protocol.

Membership of the VITA requires the Association to ensure Pension and Welfare Officers are:

• Trained through the Training and Information Program (TIP) to the appropriate level of services they deliver;

• A member in good standing of the Association;

• Authorised in writing to act on behalf of the Association;

• Maintaining an auditable case file for each client.

• Complying with the TIP Code of Ethics;

In order to comply, our officers are required to declare their qualifications, and on receipt, the Association issues Authorisation Certificates. All of those listed below are approved and accredited by the SAA and VITA.

National Coordinator Max Hardy 25 Christie St South Penrith 2750 Phone:        02 47324409 Mobile :       0414845852 Email:  maxhardy@bigpond.com
Western Australia
John Keating 34 Success Dve Rockingham WA 6168 08 9527 7963 keatingclan@optusnet.com.au	Greg Shimmen 14 Trephina Mews Clarkson WA 6030 08 9305 7142 greg_shimmen@bigpond.com
Roger Hardwicke 26 Halifax Blv Mindarie WA 6030 08 9305 1569 lismore@vianet.net.au	Tony Critchley 41 Hakea Crescent South Bunbury WA 08 9795 5346 - 0417 959 840 critchat@hotmail.com
New South Wales
Jim Seager OAM JP 18 Paine Ave Moorebank NSW 2170 02 9824 0833	John Hodges JP 3/31 Alan Street Cammeray NSW 2062 02 9264 8188 (w) 02 9908 5330 (h) 040 224 4001 jhodges@nswrsl.com.au
Jim can also be contacted at the AVADSC Office, Central Plaza, 1st Floor, 280 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, (it’s the DVA Building).
Alex Paton 37 William Bryce Rd Tomerong NSW 2540 patonplace@southernphone.com.au	Brett Ollington 4 Brenda Crescent Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261  uboat2@bigpond.com.au
Ian Taber Olympic Hotel, 202 Parker Street. Cootamundra NSW 2590 02 6942 7241 iantaber@sctelco.net.au
Bob O’Grady 56 Jasmine Drive Bomaderry NSW 2541 02 4423 0846 bomborslsub@shoal.com.au	Max Hardy 107 Silverdale Rd Silverdale NSW 2752 H: 02 4774 0542 W: 02 9264 8188 maxhardy@bigpond.com mhardy@rslnsw.com.au
Tom Johnston 13 Laura Close, Bargo NSW 2574 - just off old Hume Hwy. 02 4684 1220 lozzaj7@bigpond.com	Dave Williams 22 Mylee St Merrylands NSW 2160 02 9682 6214 dwil795@bigpond.net.au
Kevin Hayton 369 Crossmaglen Road Crossmaglen NSW 2441 02 6653 4146 kghayton@optusnet.com.au	Roger Cooper 21 Fleet Street Holbrook, NSW 2644 02 6036 2451 or Mobile 0411 207 244 roger@brightstardesign.com.au
Arthur McKean 83 Macleay St Frederickton NSW 2440 02 6566 8378 SWRRSL@westnet.com.au	Alison McKean 83 Macleay St Frederickton NSW 2440 02 6566 8378 go_slow@optusnet.com.au
Victoria
John Sullivan 1 Greenock Cres Cranbourne VIC 3977 03 5142 2705 0400 197 550 John.L.Sullivan@exxonmobil.com	David ‘Fess’ Parker PO Box 64 Kangaroo Ground VIC 3097 040 094 8379 dparker@australiaonline.net.au
Greg Pennicuik 29 Park Street Bittern, Vic 3918 03 5983 6140 0414 443 315 grndi@aapt.net.au
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Geoff Burns Belungarie Field 420 Cullulla Road Tarago NSW 2580 02 4849 4330 0427 435 314 gcburns@clearmail.com.au
QUEENSLAND
Brian Earle 153 Caboolture River Rd Moratfield QLD 4506 07 5495 6728 brianearle@iinet.net.au	Ian Sinclair 23 Country Rd Jimboomba QLD 4280 07 5547 7621 0419 773 490 iansinclair15@gmail.com
	Ian Prodger 12 Drayton St Allora QLD 4362 07 4666 2448 041 780 4748 ianprodger@bigpond.com
South Australia
Ken Grierson 2 / 59 William Street Norwood SA 5067. 08 8364 0346 and 0400 282 562 kenneth43@bigpond.com	Alan Johnstone Off Duty - on a SKIing holiday - Spending Kids Inheritance.

                

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Last modified: 21-Jun-2011 08:09:12 PM