ADVOCACY SERVICES

The name of our organisation is Vietnam Logistic Support Veterans Association (Incorporated) of Western Australia.

The association provides support for veterans in many ways. Our main thrust is to assist veterans of all three Australian armed services (Navy, Army, Airforce) who have suffered injuries either physically, intellectually, or medically as a result of their active service and as defined in the Veterans Entitlement Act of Australia.

Our advocates are trained by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans in completing their claims prior to lodgement and determination of whether they have an entitlement for compensation. Advocates work as volunteers either from home, an office in Department of Veterans Affairs in the City of Perth or in the City of Wanneroo. The City of Wanneroo is a satellite city on the outskirts of Perth. They do not get paid.

The office in Wanneroo is located in the Senior Citizens Club Rooms on Wanneroo Road. These were formerly the City of Wanneroo Council Offices. It is close to public transport and good parking facilities are available at the complex. Our office is open on Thursdays from 9.30am to 3pm by appointment only. People who wish to avail themselves of the service should contact Mr Greg Shimmen on 08 9305 7142. or his mobile number is 0418 924 559. Should Greg be unavailable at the time of your call please leave a message and he will get back to you as soon as possible. Please do not ring the Senior Citizens for contacts or appointments.

As the need arises and more advocates are trained the office hours will be expanded.

Advocates currently interview approximately 250 people per year and there is steady growth as the service becomes known. We expect that the opening of the office in Wanneroo will see a significant increase in veterans seeking advice and assistance. Members of the Senior Citizens Group have already shown an interest.

The association was founded in 1991 and arose from the old HMAS Sydney Association. The Association is currently experiencing significant growth and will be around for a long time to come.

The idea of having an office in Wanneroo came about as the result of veterans reluctance or inability to travel from the suburbs to the City and back home again. This is due in the main to the veterans becoming increasingly immobile due to their disabilities. The executive of the Association saw a need for our service in and around the Wanneroo area as it is the fastest growing population in the metropolitan area. The service we provide will appeal to veterans with disabilities who already live in the general area and we believe will be an attraction to future veterans when they are considering where to buy their home and land.

Patrick Peard will be the coordinator of the service with Greg Shimmen being the person who will operate the office initially.

Their contact details are listed below.

Patrick Peard - fossils@openaccess.com.au

Greg Shimmen - gshimmen@hotmail.com