Our Mission
Mission and Purpose - Their Stories Recorded
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Australia’s veterans have contributed immensely to Australia's national security, peacekeeping, and humanitarian efforts and to the Australian culture in general. Australian veterans have distinguished themselves time and time again in campaigns across the globe and served with honour during times of peace. Yet, many of our veteran's stories remain untold.
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Currently there are less than 1,300 World War II and Korean veterans still alive in Australia, and only 35,000 Vietnam veterans still with us. Along with desiring to record the stories of current and more recent veterans, we believe there is an urgent need to record the stories of as many World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans before their stories are lost to us forever.
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Oral history offers a powerful way to record not only actions in times of warlike service but also the training, the discipline, the mateship, the larrikin behaviors, and in general the immense differences in military life when compared to civilian life. Oral histories also record the challenges of readjustment to civilian life and how the military may have helped or hindered that transition. Our mission of recording veteran stories will help the family and friends of veterans, along with the general public, to gain a better understanding of military service life, and of the total veteran experience.
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Our Secondary Mission and Purpose - Maintain life
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As noted by the recent Royal Commission, Veteran Suicide has become a great concern. Statistics show that between 1997 and 2021, there were 1,677 certified deaths by suicide among those with Australian Defence Force service. We desire to help save veterans lives.
AVR will host 'Suicide First Aid' workshops for veterans and their families to educate them on the actions to take should a veteran present as someone looking to take their own life. The workshops will be conducted in partnership with LivingWorks Australia a global leader in Suicide First Aid and Suicide Prevention materials and trainings. ​​
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To find out more about Veteran interviews or about Suicide First Aid Workshops please contact us through the link below.